Daily Short Blog #5

A baby shower is a celebration attended by family and friends to celebrate the upcoming arrival of a new baby and shower the mom-to-be with love, support, and good wishes.

In the Philippines, baby showers have become increasingly popular. They can be both joyful and practical because preparing for a new baby can be expensive. Family and friends may choose to contribute gifts or useful baby essentials, from diapers and clothes to blankets and other necessities.

Usually, food and drinks are served, games are played, and loved ones spend time together. Baby showers are often held during the later months of pregnancy, when the excitement of welcoming the baby is growing. More importantly, however, a baby shower can provide emotional support and encouragement for the expectant mother.

“A child is God’s opinion that life should go on.”

At the time I was writing this article, I was five months pregnant, and my husband and I had been thinking about whether we should have a baby shower.

Of course, receiving some of the things we would need for our baby would be helpful, but we also wanted to make the celebration meaningful. One of the things we were considering was using the occasion as a special way to reveal our baby’s gender.

So, I did some research and thought about the different reasons why an expectant mother might want to have a baby shower.

Here are 10 reasons to consider having one.

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1. To Spend Time With Your Loved Ones

A baby shower is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with the people you love.

Pregnancy can be tiring, especially during the later months, so instead of trying to visit everyone individually, why not bring the people you care about together in one place?

You can catch up, laugh, eat, take photos, and simply enjoy each other’s company before the baby arrives.

Sometimes, the best part of a celebration isn’t the decorations or the gifts, it’s having the people you love around you.

“A mother holds her children’s hands for a while, but their hearts forever.”

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2. To Have Some Fun

Pregnancy can come with plenty of challenges, so you deserve to have some fun, too!

You can decide what kind of celebration you want. You might enjoy entertaining baby shower games, simple activities, or even a quiet gathering without games at all.

It’s your baby shower, so make it something that reflects your personality and makes you comfortable.

You don’t have to throw a huge party. Even a small gathering with a few close friends and family members can be memorable.

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3. To Gather Advice and Information

A baby shower can also be a great opportunity to learn from people who have already experienced parenthood.

You’ll probably have mothers, fathers, grandparents, and other experienced family members and friends around you who can share their stories and practical advice about childbirth, newborn care, and parenting.

Of course, not every piece of advice will work for everyone, so it’s important to use your own judgment and follow the guidance of your healthcare professionals.

Still, listening to other parents’ experiences can be helpful—and sometimes reassuring—especially if you’re becoming a parent for the first time.

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4. To Celebrate and Reward Yourself

Pregnancy is not always easy.

You may experience exhaustion, morning sickness, body aches, changing emotions, and many other physical and emotional challenges.

After going through months of changes, having a day dedicated to celebrating you and your baby can feel wonderful.

Let yourself be pampered, surrounded by people who love you, and reminded of how special this moment in your life is.

“Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends.”

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5. To Welcome Your Baby

Your baby deserves a celebration, too!

There is something incredibly heartwarming about seeing your family and friends get excited about meeting your little one.

Even though the baby isn’t physically there yet, everyone is already looking forward to the day when they can finally meet and welcome the newest member of the family.

A baby shower can be a beautiful way to celebrate that anticipation.

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6. To Make Memories and Capture Beautiful Photos

Pregnancy is a special chapter in your life, and it goes by surprisingly quickly.

Let’s be honest—getting beautiful pregnancy photos isn’t always easy when you’re dealing with morning sickness, tiredness, a growing belly, and days when you simply don’t feel like dressing up.

A baby shower gives you a reason to get ready, wear something you love, and take photos with your family and friends.

Years from now, those pictures may become some of your most treasured memories.

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7. To Receive Useful Gifts

One of the traditional purposes of a baby shower is to help the expectant parents prepare for the baby’s arrival.

Baby essentials can be expensive, and receiving useful gifts from family and friends can certainly help.

You might receive diapers, baby clothes, blankets, bottles, toiletries, or other necessities.

But gifts don’t have to be expensive.

If you’re someone who doesn’t like receiving presents, you can always have a no-gift baby shower or ask guests to bring something meaningful instead.

For example, you could ask everyone to bring their favorite childhood book for the baby’s nursery or write a short message for the baby to read when they are older.

Whether you receive gifts or not, what matters most is appreciating the thought behind the gesture.

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8. To Have Some Cake!

Well, you’re pregnant and craving something sweet, so why not? 😊

A baby shower is a celebration, after all!

Enjoy your favorite food, desserts, drinks, and, of course, a beautiful baby shower cake.

Sometimes, it’s the simple pleasures that make a celebration extra special.

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9. To Receive Words of Encouragement

Childbirth can be both exciting and intimidating, especially for a first-time mother.

One lovely idea is to ask your family and friends to write down short messages of encouragement that you can read before or during labor.

They might write things like:

• “You can do this.”
• “You are stronger than you think.”
• “Everything will be okay.”
• “We are proud of you.”
• “You are not alone.”

These simple words can become a source of comfort when you need encouragement the most.

“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”

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10. Because Someone Might Throw One for You Anyway!

Whether you like it or not, you may have that one friend or family member who absolutely loves organizing parties and surprises. 😊

You might eventually find yourself with a surprise baby shower!

So, if you’re particular about how you want your celebration to look and feel, you might prefer to organize it yourself—or ask a trusted friend or family member to help.

That way, your preferences, comfort, and wishes can be taken into consideration.

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Do You Really Need to Have a Baby Shower?

Of course, you don’t have to have a baby shower.

A baby shower is a celebration, not an obligation.

Some expectant parents prefer a large gathering with family and friends, while others prefer a small and intimate celebration. Some may even choose not to have one at all.

There is no right or wrong way to celebrate the arrival of a baby.

If you decide to have one, don’t feel pressured to spend a lot of money or organize an extravagant event. A simple meal with your closest family and friends can be just as meaningful.

And while gifts can certainly help with the cost of preparing for a baby, the real purpose of a baby shower is love, support, and celebration.

Don’t get too caught up in planning the perfect party, especially during the later stages of pregnancy. Your health, comfort, and well-being should come first.

In the end, your baby doesn’t need a huge party.

Your baby needs a loving and supported family.

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Final Thoughts

Looking back, I think one of the most beautiful things about a baby shower is that it reminds an expectant mother that she doesn’t have to go through this new chapter of life alone.

Pregnancy may be a personal journey, but welcoming a child often brings an entire family and community together.

Whether you choose to have a grand celebration or a simple gathering at home, make it something that brings you happiness rather than stress.

Celebrate the little things. Take lots of photos. Laugh with the people you love. Enjoy the cake. Accept the hugs and good wishes.

And most importantly, enjoy this beautiful moment before your little one arrives.

“A new baby is like the beginning of all things—wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.”

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
— Psalm 127:3

A baby shower isn’t really about the presents, decorations, games, or food.

It’s about celebrating new life and surrounding the parents-to-be with love and support.

Whether you have a big party, a small gathering, or no baby shower at all, what matters most is the love waiting for your little one.

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Originally published: January 25, 2022
Updated: August 2026