@PrincessNutella
I'm American. The only showers I've ever been to have been small events held in people's homes, sometimes all women, sometimes men and women. These parties are usually held during the day and there are simple homemade refreshments--sandwiches, muffins, crudite, fruit salad, cupcakes, etc. People talk. People usually bring some kind of present for the baby. The mother-to-be unwraps the presents and everyone oohs and ahhs over the tiny little outfits and wonders over the complicated gadgets and she says thank you and everyone hugs her. No huge hall is needed.
Absolutely my experience in America as well. Simple, relaxed, and useful.
I do understand that people didn’t used to celebrate the birth until the baby had arrived safely, but birth—while still uncertain now—had much lower survival rates then.
Preparing for a huge life event is not “tempting fate.” Presents after the baby is born are lovey, but there are a fair few things that are useful to have immediately, when the baby is born.
I’ve always seen it as a lovely way to help new parents (first time only, usually) to be prepared. Babies aren’t cheap, and grandad isn’t always around to build that cot, nor grandma to knit all the blankets, etc, as in ye olden times.
My usual gift is nappies for a newborn, a sleeper for 3-6 months age, possibly a keepsake for close family, and a bottle of something + babysitting/cleaning/meal offer for the mother.
And obviously, Sophie La Giraffe. 