Why More Women Are Choosing a Mother's Blessing Over a Baby Shower

For many women, the baby shower is a beloved tradition. Tiny clothes, cake, and an afternoon spent surrounded by friends and family, celebrating a new life. But where did this tradition actually come from?

Modern baby showers became popular in the post-World War II era, especially during the 1950s, as consumerism took hold of society. These gatherings were framed as a way to “shower” new mothers with gifts to prepare for the arrival of their baby, but they also served as a marketing tool. With the growing influence of advertising, baby products were promoted as essential for new parents — creating the illusion that there was a list of must-have items to properly prepare for a newborn.

Before the rise of consumer-driven baby showers, pregnancy and birth were marked with more community-focused and deeply personal rituals. In many traditional cultures, women celebrated the transition from maiden to mother through intimate ceremonies and sacred rituals. These events honoured not just the baby, but the powerful transformation of the woman becoming a mother.

So, when did we start focusing more on the baby than on the mother?

This shift mirrors what happens in the birth space. Today, medical birth models often prioritise the baby’s health and wellbeing, while the mother’s emotional experience can be left unacknowledged. Many women describe their birth experiences as something that happens to them, not something they actively participate in. The focus is often on the baby’s arrival, rather than the woman’s journey.

This trend is reflected in birth research as well, with most studies centred on infant outcomes, while the emotional and long-term wellbeing of the mother remains largely overlooked.

It’s no surprise then that more women are choosing Mother Blessings as an alternative to traditional baby showers.

Why We’re Ditching Baby Showers

Traditional baby showers often centre on gifts. Baby registries are filled with items influenced by social media influencers and marketing campaigns, creating the illusion of must-have baby products. The truth? Newborns don’t need all that stuff. They need a nurtured, supported, and well-rested mother.

Additionally, the pregnant mother is often expected to host the baby shower herself. It’s usually held in her home, “to make it easier,” but this often means she spends days cleaning, prepping food, arranging decorations, and playing host for a party about her baby before cleaning up afterwards. While some may enjoy this, it’s not the supportive environment every mother needs as she prepares for birth.

At its core, the baby shower is less about the woman and more about the excitement of her friends and family, who get to show up, buy cute baby gifts, and celebrate the baby’s impending arrival. But in reality, the baby doesn’t need all that stuff. What a new mother truly needs is emotional and practical support.

Why We’re Choosing Mother Blessings Instead

Now, imagine a different kind of celebration: a Mother Blessing ceremony. This is where your doula, loved one, or close friend takes the lead in organising a nurturing and intentional event to honour you.

Your guests are invited, but the planning is taken off your shoulders. The ceremony is often held in a location outside your home, ensuring you’re not burdened with prep or cleanup. Your friends and family are invited to bring a dish to share, and everyone knows that their role is to contribute in ways that will support you during this sacred time.

The ceremony itself could include a variety of meaningful activities, ranging from a home cleaning session where guests help prepare your home for postpartum life, to a collective effort of creating a freezer stash of nourishing meals for you to enjoy after the baby arrives. More traditional activities might include belly painting, where guests decorate the mother’s belly with beautiful designs, or making affirmation cards to offer encouragement and love during labour. Other ideas could be crafting a flower crown for the mother, creating a personalised necklace or bracelet, or taking part in a red thread ceremony to symbolise the bond between the women present.

In addition to these, some groups may choose to hold a collective meditation or prayer, share words of wisdom, or even organise a group massage to help the mother feel grounded and supported. Whatever activities are chosen, the focus is always on nourishing the mother emotionally, spiritually, and practically, helping her to feel loved, cared for, and celebrated in this special time.

What Happens at a Mother Blessing?

It’s not a religious event, nor is it bound by rigid rules. Rather, it’s a personal and heartfelt gathering of women who come together to honour your unique transition into motherhood. Each Mother’s Blessing is tailored to reflect your journey, with the focus being on support, celebration, and the deep connection between the mother and her community.

Generally, the event begins with a grounding meditation or intention-setting activity. A beautiful birth altar is often created as a symbolic centrepiece for the event. Guests typically sit in a circle, ensuring that everyone can see and hear one another, fostering a deep sense of connection.

The activities during a Mother Blessing can vary widely, but they often include:

• Writing birth affirmations or sharing words of wisdom
• Belly painting or belly casting
• Foot baths or gentle massages
• Guided journaling
• Creating a communal memory board of wishes or blessings

Mother Blessings often finish with a ceremonial closing, such as a red thread ceremony or a candle ceremony, where each guest offers a light to be lit when the mother goes into labour.

The key difference between a baby shower and a Mother Blessing is that the focus is on the mother’s emotional and spiritual wellbeing. It’s not about gifts. It’s about her.

Creating Your Perfect Event: The Mother’s Shower — A Blend of Baby Shower and Mother’s Blessing

If you’re thinking, “I like the idea, but it feels a bit too woo-woo for me,” that’s totally okay! You can absolutely create a balance between a traditional baby shower and a Mother’s Blessing to craft something that feels more aligned with your style. Call it a “Mother’s Shower” or another name that resonates with you. This hybrid approach can include practical, non-spiritual activities such as a group meal prep session, assembling postpartum care packages, or organising a DIY cleaning party where guests help get your home ready for life with a new baby. You can skip the silly games and focus on meaningful yet fun activities that keep things light-hearted and grounded. The goal is to create a supportive, celebratory atmosphere where you feel nurtured and prepared for the exciting transition ahead — without feeling like you’ve stepped into a “hippy” gathering if that’s not your vibe.

Let’s be real — we all enjoy receiving gifts. But what if, instead of the usual baby clothes and toys, you asked your guests to bring you something truly meaningful or practical for your birth and postpartum journey? Imagine your “Mother’s Shower” gift table filled with things like a TENS machine (either hired or bought), a birth comb, breastfeeding-friendly hydration drinks, a peri bottle, or even a postpartum massage voucher. These thoughtful gifts would help prepare you for the intense but beautiful journey ahead, offering support for both your birth and recovery.

How to Organise a Mother Blessing

If you’re reading this and thinking, I want this, but you're unsure where to start — don’t worry. The beauty of a Mother Blessing is that you don’t need to do all the work yourself. This ceremony is all about nurturing the mother, and that means a friend, family member, or loved one should take on the planning and execution, so the mother can simply receive the love and support.

If you're in Perth or surrounding areas, I offer Mother Blessing ceremony packages to help guide you through the planning process. But if you're taking this on for someone else, here are the steps you can follow to create a meaningful and supportive experience for the mother.

1. Consult the Pregnant Mother: What Does She Want and Need?

Before you start planning, it’s important to talk with the mother-to-be. This is her ceremony, and her preferences should guide the process.

• What kind of atmosphere does she want? Does she envision a quiet, intimate event or something more lively?
• Are there any specific rituals or traditions she would like to include? Some mothers may want to incorporate cultural or spiritual practices.
• What are her needs? Is she seeking emotional support, relaxation, or something more practical as she prepares for birth?

By clarifying her desires, you can ensure the event aligns with her vision and provides what she needs most in this special moment.

2. Select a Location: Choose a Comfortable, Relaxing Space

The location of the Mother Blessing is crucial because it sets the tone for the event. Ideally, it shouldn’t be at the mother’s own home, as that could add stress for her with cleaning and hosting.

Consider these location ideas:

• A park or garden: Nature offers a calm and grounding environment.
• A friend’s house or rental venue: This can offer a comfortable, private space for the event.
• A wellness retreat or studio: For a peaceful and sacred atmosphere, this could be a perfect fit.

Wherever you choose, make sure the space makes the mother feel supported, relaxed, and nurtured.

3. Create a Guest List: Invite the People Who Matter Most

The guest list should be made up of people who are emotionally supportive of the mother-to-be, not just anyone interested in attending. This is an intimate event meant to honour the mother's journey into motherhood.

• Who is the mother’s support system? Invite her closest friends, family, and those who will be emotionally present for her.
• Consider the energy of the group: Invite people who are respectful of the intention of the ceremony and will contribute positively to the experience.

Remember, this isn’t a party for everyone. It’s a sacred time for the mother to receive emotional and spiritual support from those who truly matter to her.

4. Ask for Meaningful Contributions

Instead of the usual baby shower gifts, guests are encouraged to bring offerings that are meaningful and helpful for the mother.

Guests could contribute in these ways:

• A meal: A home-cooked meal or a dish to share can nourish the mother and her family during the postpartum period.
• A flower or plant: Something that can be added to the birth altar or planted to symbolise new life.
• A bead or a meaningful object: Each guest can bring something that represents their connection to the mother, which can be used in a ritual or crafted into a special keepsake.

Let your guests know that they’re contributing not just a gift, but something that reflects their support and love for the mother.

5. Curate the Activities: Thoughtful and Intention-Driven

While a baby shower might focus on games and material items for the baby, a Mother Blessing is all about intentional activities that support and honour the mother. The activities should be tailored to the mother’s needs and desires, so be sure to consult her on what feels right.

Here are some activity ideas:

• Affirmation card making: Have each guest write down affirmations, words of wisdom, or blessings for the mother. These can be shared during the ceremony or kept for later to uplift her.
• Belly painting or belly casting: Some mothers love the idea of having their belly painted or cast as a tangible memory of their pregnancy.
• Massage or foot baths: Providing relaxation through a soothing foot bath or gentle massage is a great way to nurture the mother.
• Group discussion or circle sharing: Guests can share their wisdom, stories, or intentions for the birth and postpartum journey.
• Candle ceremony: Light a candle for each guest, symbolising their support for the mother during labour and birth.

The key is to focus on practices that nourish the mother’s spirit, body, and heart. Avoid anything that would add stress or obligation for her.

6. Hold Space for the Mother: She Should Not Be Doing the Work

A Mother Blessing is about giving the mother a chance to be supported — not for her to plan or organise. It's essential that the person planning the event takes on all the logistical work. The mother should not be burdened by any of the event preparations.

• Organise food and cleaning: The mother should not worry about cooking or cleaning up. Make sure that someone else takes care of the details so she can simply enjoy the experience.
• Prepare the guests: Let your guests know what the ceremony is about and set expectations. For example, ask them to bring a flower, bead, or meaningful object for the altar. Emphasise that this event is about the mother, not the baby.

The focus should be on making sure the mother feels deeply held, loved, and nurtured during the ceremony.

The Difference Between a Mother Blessing and a Baby Shower

When organising a Mother Blessing, it's essential to communicate the difference between this ceremony and a traditional baby shower. While baby showers typically centre around the baby, with gifts, games, and festivities focused on the newborn, a Mother Blessing is not about the baby — it’s about the mother.

In a baby shower, the mother often plays a passive role, hosting a party for others rather than being celebrated herself. However, in a Mother Blessing, the mother is the focal point. This ceremony is about honouring her emotional and spiritual transformation into motherhood.

As the person planning the Mother Blessing, it's important to let your guests know that:

• There are no games or obligatory activities.
• There is no pressure for guests to bring gifts for the baby.
• The focus is on the mother’s needs, not consumerism.

Communicate that this is a time to offer the mother emotional and spiritual nourishment. It’s not about material gifts or party games — it’s about celebrating the mother as she transitions into this new chapter of her life.

Mother Blessings are an opportunity to reclaim what has been lost in the rush of consumer-driven baby showers. They are about honouring the mother — her journey, her transformation, and her needs. A Mother Blessing ceremony is not just a celebration of the new baby. It’s a celebration of the woman who is about to step into motherhood.

If you’re ready to explore this deeper, more meaningful way to celebrate your pregnancy, trust that this is a choice that will nourish both your body and spirit.

Mother's Blessing Ceremony Package

$390

If you’re looking to have your Mother’s Blessing professionally organised and facilitated in Perth, look no further. I offer a beautifully crafted ceremony designed to celebrate the mother-to-be, honouring her emotional and spiritual journey into motherhood. Whether you’re planning it for yourself or a loved one, this package ensures a meaningful and nurturing experience.

What’s included in the Mother’s Blessing Ceremony Package:

• 2-hour ceremony facilitation: A guided, peaceful ceremony to honour the mother-to-be.
• 30 minutes of set-up time: I take care of all the preparations so you can focus on enjoying the experience.
• 1 in-home planning meeting: We’ll discuss your vision, activities, and any special requests for the ceremony.

Choose from 2-3 beautiful ceremony activities, such as:

• Belly painting or henna
• Affirmation card making
• Necklace or bracelet beading
• Flower crown making
• Letters to the Mother
• Candle ceremony

All ceremonies include:

• Ceremony altar: A beautiful, personalised altar to honour the mother.
• Grounding meditation: To centre and prepare for the ceremony.
• Red thread ritual: A special bonding activity to symbolise connection and support.

Optional Extras:

• All materials provided: Custom quote ($100–$200)
• Personalised digital invitations & guest instructions: $75
• Photography coverage: $300
• Catering: Custom quote (from $25 per person)

If you're in Perth or the surrounding areas, I would be honoured to help you create an unforgettable Mother’s Blessing ceremony. Contact me today to book or to discuss your custom requests.