The news of a newborn arriving in a family is an exciting one and it definitely brings smiles and cheers along with it. The idea of celebrating the joy immediately pops up and people start talking about the plans regarding what all has to be done. It is important to plan things properly in order to make it a memorable event by avoiding all the hassles for the guest in honour.
The Baby, The Parents, Friends and Family.
Image Source: DesignerPhoto
Everyone has their unique ways and plans of celebrating the arrival of the newborn. Here are a few things to trigger your grey cells:
Throwing a party to introduce the new baby to friends and family tops the thoughts of any new parents. The good purpose is to get blessings for the new bundle of joy- the baby- from all the near and dear ones. Though, the scheme of things would vary with the budget but it is suggested to keep the affair simple, as the guests would like to enjoy the baby’s oohs and awws. An opportunity to wish the parents, bless the newborn over some snack should be the idea.
In India, some Hindus celebrate ‘annaprashan’, the first time the baby is given food. This is either celebrated inside the house with or a temple, and is celebrated on a day chosen by a priest that is deemed the most blessed for the baby by a temple priest.
The aqeeqah is performed in many parts of the Muslim world and is a highly recommended practice in Islam. Aqeeqah is traditionally performed or celebrated seven days after a baby is born and includes a ritual in which the baby’s head is shaved. The baby’s hair is then collected and weighed and an equal amount of gold or silver or its monetary equivalent is offered in charity. An animal (goat or sheep) is also sacrificed and the meat is used in many dishes prepared for the celebratory feast with family and friends or other guests along with other meat used to feed the poor.
Though the celebrations and customs around arrival of the baby is mostly culture specific, no one would dislike the idea of planting a tree in baby’s honor – something living and witness the baby outgrowing the pampers and swings. A plaque with baby’s name and birthday could be additional and would be a delight for the family and friends to watch the tree grow along with the baby.
Throw a Baby Shower. Although this is done before the baby actually arrives, it is a good idea for the expectant parents to be host a party to take blessings for the child. A theme party could be a memorable experience for the parents as well as the guests. Besides giving wishes and blessings for the new baby, family and friends might also bring gifts for the infant. Also, it would not be a bad idea to engage the guests in some fun activities.
Gift ideas for the little one and the new parents:
Gifts accompany any celebration around the world. The market is flooded with loads of gifts for the newborn baby to really rack the brain on deciding which ones to take and which not. Personalized message boards could be a cherished memory for both the parents and the baby when she/he grows up.
Customized cake would be good surprise for the parents. Jewelry for the mother would increase her happiness, while the baby too can have some bling moments with variety of specialized jewelry available in market to suit both the baby girl or baby boy. Parenting scrapbook with loads of parenting tips would come handy for the parents when they would supposedly need to spend sleepless nights for the baby.
Image Source: LittleLavender
Thank-You Notes for the Guests and for the Gifts:
It would be a good idea to thank the guests, who took out time to attend the party with some memorable favours. The idea is to make sure that the relatives and friends remember the party for a long time to come. Both purchased gifts or home-made favours would serve the wonder but whatever is given, it is important to ensure that it is thoughtful and serves as a token of gratitude as well as a memoir.
There are many ways of celebrating the arrival of a new baby but while some of the rituals may be vastly different to those in one culture to another. Societies and regions are known to have followed a particular family tradition or practices as per their religious faith; one common thing is that the birth of a child is a joyous occasion for all.
Decorating the baby room:
Image Source: ExtendCreative
Be the awesome parents that you will be by decorating a room for your baby with his/her own arena innovatively done for his/her only things. Have new curtains, a cradle or a cot, nice soft lighting in the room with nicely painted walls with either cartoons characters or any other pattern or design of your choice.
A baby book to mark all the events:
It’s been an age old practice for parents to maintain a baby book that marks all small yet important things in the life of the baby like his first photograph, his footprints and handprints, first smile, first feed, first step and first word and many more memorable events.
Image Source: LiveInternet
Get an email id for the baby:
Many celebrities are doing this cool thing before hand for their child i.e. creating an email-id! Book a user name for your child for the time he/she learns to use a computer. And why limit to just and email-id, go on and make a Facebook or Twitter page, keep updating a series of pictures of pre and post birth.
Have some more ideas on your mind? Do share with us in the comments below.