An Alternative to a Traditional Baby Shower: Host a Mother's Blessing Instead.

 

An Alternative to a Traditional Baby Shower: Host a Mother's Blessing Instead.


The thought of a traditional baby shower did not excite me as I neared the end of my pregnancy.  I wanted to keep baby gear to a minimum and my Virgo tendencies had already led me to have everything purchased and arranged by my third trimester.  I already had what I desired for the baby, we were financially set up for the expansion of our family, and I didn’t want to obligate people to bring gifts.

What I wanted more than anything was a celebration with my closest female friends who would send me off with a blessing into the journey of motherhood.  I wanted to share our feminine presence, eat good food, exchange empowering stories of motherhood, and end the gathering with a meaningful homemade gift that symbolized our friendship and support for one another. Instead of a baby shower, we invited friends to a “Mother’s Blessing.”  


 

What does a mother’s blessing look like? 

 Invite close female friends and family.  Don’t feel obligated to invite anyone who does not bring you joy.  The mother’s blessing is all about empowering and making the mother-to be-feel loved.


In lieu of traditional gifts, we invited everyone to bring a hand written blessing for the mother-to-be and a bead that could be strung onto a necklace and either be worn or hung in a prominent place during birth.  

 During the celebration, sit in a circle and open each bead and blessing. Each woman then shares why she choose the bead, what it symbolizes, and offers empowering words to the mother.

 

"Mothers Blessing Gathering"

 

It was inspiring to hear why each bead was chosen. No two beads were similar nor where the stories of how they were selected for the birth necklace.  It was also fun to see how many beads had years of sentimental meaning to the women bringing them.  


I received old beads, rich in history including one from Ireland that had been carried around with the previous owner for more than 30 years waiting for the right necklace, a 20 year old bead from a necklace that broke during a Tori Amos concert, a Jr Miss Congeniality pendant that was awarded to my friend in middle school (She was now in her 50s).


I also received symbolic beads including an acorn to represent new life, a diamond-studded elephant to represent power, a rose and blue diamond to represent the blending of my growing business with my growing family, a heart to remind me to show up with love in everything I do, tiny feet that I would spend so much time kissing, angel wings for the angel that would soon arrive earth side, and a stone resembling the night sky to symbolize the Rigel star I was named after and the star-like name my daughter would receive. 


There were also beads made out of crystals that came with their own unique vibrations including amethyst for intuition, citrine for personal power, lapis for spiritual connection, carnelian for protection, pearls for purity, white quartz for clarity, rose quartz for unconditional love, and turquoise for healing.

 

"Birth Necklace Created from the Mother's Blessing"

 

After the celebration, the beads were carefully wired together onto a large looped chain and proudly displayed in the nursery.  I see this necklace everyday and am reminded of the love, power, and support from my circle of friends. This is the most magical gift that could have been given to me as I entered into the joyful journey of motherhood.


 

Ready to host a mother’s blessing? What you will need:

  • A host other than the mother-to-be. This day is all about nurturing and supporting her.
  • Simple food for celebration.  Can be potluck style if you desire. 
  • Invitations (paper or electronic) informing guests of what to bring.  Example wording may include: "In lieu of traditional gifts, please bring a meaningful bead for mom to string on a necklace she can wear during labor, also include a hand written blessing for mother and baby that can be placed into a memory book."
  • A guest list of the women in your life that bring you joy.

 

Do you have any unique ideas that are great alternatives to a traditional baby shower? If so, please comment below.



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