The Ins and Outs of Baby Shower Etiquette

Baby showers as we know them today are a product of the post-World War II baby boom, when gifts were given to ease the economic burden of the new parents-to-be. The root of the all-female gathering can be traced to Victorian times when tea parties were held to celebrate a pregnancy. If you ever wondered how a decorative umbrella became a staple of traditional baby showers, you can thank the ladies of this era who carried them to the afternoon festivities. In the 21st century, while many of the time-honored traditions remain, several modern spins on baby showers have emerged.