Baby Shower (Godh Bharai)
Your little bundle of joy is soon-to-arrive ! It’s time to celebrate and shower the mother-to-be with loads of love and pampering that she deserves!
Whether you’re the best friend, a family member, or the mum-to-be, here are some tips and advice which can help make the shower enjoyable.
Godh Bharai
As we all would know, a baby shower in India is called “Godh Bharai”. This term however differs as you move through different parts of the nation. In Bengal it is known as ‘Shaad’; in Kerala, ‘Seemandham’; and in Tamil Nadu, it is called ‘Valaikappu’.
It’s the perfect time for a mum-to-be to get showered with the tender, loving care that she needs and is bestowed with loads of gifts from her friends and family. Different communities and families have their own ideas and reasons for the ideal time for Godh Bharai. The ceremony is traditionally held when the mother-to-be completes her seventh month of pregnancy. They – the baby and the mother – are believed to be in a “safe phase” then.
How is the Godh Bharai (Baby shower) carried out?
The rituals followed by people while throwing a baby shower differ in different parts of the country. However, they all focus on two things – celebrating motherhood and blessing the yet-to-be-born baby.
In some homes, the mom-to-be is anointed with special oils by the elderly women in the family. She is then dressed up in a special saree and adorned with flowers or garlands. A puja is performed before the festivities begin.
In modern times, we see lot of planning and creativity with a number of baby shower party ideas. The friends of the mother-to-be can organize a get together sprinkled with fun and interesting themes and ideas along with food and beverages that the doting mom would love!
TIPS TO MAKE A GODH BHARAI OR A BABY SHOWER ENJOYABLE
With the little one just around the corner, what’s a better way to celebrate her arrival than a Godh Bharai (baby shower)? Check out some of our baby shower tips to make ensure that this festivity is filled with unforgettable memories.
Rest: Firstly, the mom-to-be should be well-rested for the hectic, yet fun, day that lies ahead. The baby and the mum needs a fun filled yet gentle experience.
Location: This needn’t be indoors! You can have a swanky or casual baby shower near a pool, in the park, or even on the terrace. Go all out with baby shower event ideas and give the mom-to-be an off-beat experience!
Dressing: Make sure the dress-code is set in line with the weather and the location. If it’s a traditional ceremony, a saree or a comfortable lehenga would be ideal. For an informal baby shower with friends, you could pick a light evening gown or dress. Make sure you choose a dress that you are comfortable with, and can carry around hassle-free throughout the ceremony.
Décor: The arrival of the little one will transform everything in the world of mum-to-be to be gentle. In this regard, it will be good to choose soft colours and gentle surroundings at the location. Take a trip down memory lane and decorate the location with the mom-to-be’s own childhood photographs and possessions. Guests could add to this by leaving letters for the baby or sweet notes and wishes for the mom.
Food: Godh Bharai calls for an elaborate feast, complete with sweets and deep-fried savories. However, a lot of today’s to-be-moms are very health-conscious. That shouldn’t stop them from having a good time, right? A ‘diet’ theme where baked or steamed goods are complemented by fruits, vegetables, and juices can be a great idea, not just for the mom but for the guests too. Turning it into a potluck could also bring out the spirit of togetherness.
Entertainment: From music & dance to mehendi artists & fashion makeovers, explore your options with entertaining activities for everyone. List down the things needed for a baby shower and arrange for them according to these activities.
Gifts: The mom-to-be definitely gets showered with gifts. In most traditional homes, gifts such as bangles, clothes or cash are given only for the mum-to-be. Gifts for the baby are given only after the birth. However, gifts aren’t just for the mom! Guests are given souvenir or token of appreciation too. This could be in the form of scarves, books, scented candles, and so on.
Games: It may be something as simple as guessing the gender of the baby just by looking at mum's belly or creating a name-list for your baby. Adding fun themes to the event, like a quirky dress code or a nice spin on some games from the mum’s childhood can be an interesting engagement for guests and the mum alike!
Brainstorm on a couple of ideas for the baby shower well before the decided date and make arrangements accordingly. Take a cue from the aforementioned tips that JOHNSON’S® has to offer and use them to your advantage. Make this day special for the mother before she embarks upon her beautiful journey of motherhood!
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