India is a land of celebrations and despite the odds that we Indians battle, we are in for celebrating happiness with friends and relatives. Indian Godh Bharai(गोद भराई) is a hot favorite. While the news of soon-to-be-arriving family members keeps the family in good cheer, women relatives and friends adorn themselves with jewelry, flowers, and expensive clothes. They also put henna on their hands and sing traditional songs. If you are looking for a baby shower idea, you are on the right page.
Men join in too, more so for the amazing spread laid out in the dining space. Nowadays there are game plans for the men in the family as well. The air of the baby shower celebration is filled with positivity, love, happiness, and cheer, and gives the expecting mother a chance to have fun and relax. In this article, you can find 15 interesting ideas for celebrating Godh Bhari in a special way.
In This Article
- What is Godh Bharai Rasam in India?
- When is Godh Bharai Rasam Celebrated?
- How to Celebrate Godh Bharai?
- Ideas For Celebrating Godh Bharai?
- How to Ensure an Enjoyable Godh Bharai For the Mother-To-Be?
What is Godh Bharai Rasam in India?
Traditionally held for the well-being of the mother and her child, and in anticipation of her producing even more healthy offspring, the Indian baby shower function is exciting and holds a lot of importance in Indian culture. However, since it is celebrated during the last trimester of pregnancy, it can be tiring as well.
Hence, if planned well in advance, it would turn out as an enjoyable experience for the mother as well, as it is for the rest of the women. Godh Bharai(गोद भराई) essentially translates into ‘filling (भराई or bharai) the lap’ (गोद or Godh) with abundant blessings, good wishes, and joys that motherhood brings. A to-be mother’s lap is filled with goodies, including bangles, cash, jewelry, and clothes.
Godh Bharai(गोद भराई) is celebrated across cultures, shaad in Bengal, seemandham in Kerela, and valakappu in Tamil Nadu. However, across the Indian geography, the gist and the significance are the same. With the to-be-mother blessed to rear a healthy baby, she is also given gifts and treated like a queen. Generally, a puja is performed, and post that, a lavish lunch takes place.
[Read: 10 Exclusive Baby Shower (गोद भराई) Decoration Ideas You Can Try]
When is Godh Bharai Rasam Celebrated?
Across most cultures, Godh Bharai is performed in the seventh month of pregnancy, while in some others, the eighth month is the time of celebrating. It is believed that the mother and the baby are safe after the mentioned months, so the family can enjoy the moments. Some communities only do a puja at the birth of the baby.
They do not have any baby shower functions. Because the celebrations center around the mother and the baby, many families choose to keep the function low-key and celebrate only if both of them are doing pretty well in pregnancy.
How to Celebrate Godh Bharai?
Traditionally, Godh Bharai is a function to bless the mother and her unborn baby. Being vast, Indian traditions of Godh Bharai differ from region to region, but the essence remains the same. Very often, the function is a ‘women-only’ event, however, men can participate too. Festivities kick-start with a puja to bless the mother and the baby in the womb. Gifts for the mother-to-be include bangles, clothes, cash, and jewelry.
While most people wait till the birth of the baby to buy something for the baby, some do go a bit further and bring gifts for the unborn baby as well. The festivities are filled with glee, glamour, and a dash of teasing with singing, dancing, and lots of games. Mostly, women try to guess the baby’s sex by touching or feeling the pregnant belly. It is a fun game with endless bouts of laughter and giggles. Men generally do not participate in the games.
Top 15 Baby Shower Ideas
It could be a theme-oriented celebration or a traditional get-together of family and friends for a quick snack. Many people opt for theme-based celebrations. A traditional Godh Bharai is nowadays a thing of the past. Having a theme could be fun but has its cons as well, and it’s up to each individual to opt for traditional or modern ways.
Here are some fabulous Godh Bharai or baby shower planning ideas:
1. Traditional Cum Modern
It could be a traditional Godh Bharai with some changes or innovations/ additions of a modern or westernized baby shower. The mom-to-be can dress in a typical traditional way in a saree or a Punjabi dress as she prefers, with flower garlands around her hands, neck, waist, and head, bangles, henna on hands, and legs. The ladies should dress in western clothes, especially the grandmas, moms, and aunts close to the expectant mother just to surprise her. The food, decor, games, and favors should be a mixture of traditional and modern styles.
2. Dress Up
Invite guests to come in dressed as ‘nine months pregnant’ i.e. pillows or cushions stuffed in the belly to surprise the mum-to-be and so that she doesn’t feel out of place. Inviting men too will be a lot more fun to see, especially with their pregnant bellies. An excellent way to keep the expecting mother happy.
3. Childhood Memories of Mom-To-Be
Decorate the place with expectant mothers’ childhood pictures, her infant and toddler-aged clothes (if any have been preserved by parents), favorite toys, books, notes from parents and relatives about how she was as a child. Close on with letters or videos from far-n- wide family members or close friends who can’t make it on this special occasion.
4. Potluck
A potluck party can be arranged by friends and family for a small get-together. You can surprise the expectant mother by including her favorite dishes and delicacies. Plan it on a full moon night on an open terrace to make it a much more memorable and enjoyable experience not only for the mother but also for everyone.
5. Pampering the Mum’s
Rather than having a traditional baby shower where the venue, food, and decor are monotonous, arrange for a spa at home or book one for this day for a few close friends of the expectant mother and let them have a blast! You can arrange for facials, massages, manicures, and pedicures which everyone will surely enjoy. You can also arrange for some snacks and drinks to go around while everyone is having fun at the event.
6. Diet Theme
If you are health conscious and want to spread this around, have a healthy-diet theme where food is mainly fresh fruits and juices, and salads. The main course should be either steamed or baked and desserts should be sugar-free and non-fried items. To make it even more fun the dress code should be workout clothes or by the pool where guests can swim and enjoy themselves.
7. Throw A Just-For-Mom Shower
The mom may not need baby items if this is her second, third, or fourth child. She probably just wants to buy the few things she needs herself. Consider throwing a just-for-mom shower with gifts for her!
It is no secret that pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting are hard on a woman’s body. Mothers deserve a little extra special care! With a little pre-planning, you can let the guests know that they can bring in gifts for the lady of the hour rather than the baby. These could be for her to use now like maternity wear or later as a gift voucher for a spa.
8. Pick the Right Games
The right games can make or break a baby shower. Here are three of our favorite ideas:
- Each guest should bring a picture of themselves as a baby. It’s now time to play the guessing game. You can also request a couple’s pictures along with the baby.
- Write down some names of children born to celebrities. Then ask the guest to connect celebrity parents with respective baby names.
- List baby traits. You can make a list of traits like skin color, hair color or texture, eye color, height, physique, IQ, etc. Now ask the mother if she wants her child to inherit those traits from her or the father.
- Distribute plain white onesies and fabric paints, and let everyone explore their imaginations. Instead of painting the onesies, if possible, try tie-dying them! It is obvious that the final products can serve as gifts for the baby on the way! Consider having the mother-to-be pick three of her favorite designs and award prizes accordingly.
9. Ideas for Virtual Baby Showers When Family Can’t Attend
In a world battling the Coronavirus pandemic with social distancing measures, traditional baby showers are getting a virtual twist. Pick the platform (like zoom, skype, etc). Custom backgrounds are available in platforms like Google Meet. There are a lot of classic shower games that you can play through Skype or Google Hangouts. You can choose what you like. Putting your friends and family in charge of the games can also get them more involved.
10. Consider Partying Outside
Take the baby shower party outside if the weather permits. Grill up some food and play a few outdoor games.
11. You Can Throw a Brunch Party
Do you want to try something different for the baby shower? Throw a brunch party to change things up! Brunch — that period between breakfast and lunch — fits into the relaxed, easygoing mood of the day. This is why it’s the perfect time for a baby shower!
12. Wear Beautiful, Yet Comfortable Clothing
Baby showers are all about the mother-to-be, and she is sure to want to look her very best at the event. Due to the fact that a pregnant woman will probably be in her final trimester during the time of the baby shower, comfort is also important. When the baby shower includes both a traditional pooja followed by a party, choose an Indo-western outfit that will help to take the mother effortlessly from one celebration to the other.
13. Set up a Photo Booth
If you want to ensure that you create lots of memories, set up a photo booth. Hire a photographer and provide baby shower photo props to encourage guests to strike their best poses. Printing polaroid photos on-the-spot can ensure guests take them home and last them a lifetime.
14. Hiring Mehndi Artists
As an added attraction for your guests, you can hire Mehendi artists to create henna tattoos or to apply Mehendi on their hands.
15. Prepare An Elegant/Memorable Gift as a Return Gift
It is true that the baby shower celebrates the mother-to-be and is a perfect occasion to shower gifts on her. Having said that, it is a nice gesture to give gifts to the guests as a gesture of thanks. Gifts such as silver cutlery or bowls are a nice choice if the budget allows and the celebration is traditional.
For a more modern baby shower, you might consider giving jars of beautifully packaged cookies or brownies. Rather than offering sweets and candies, providing guests with body lotions or foot and hand lotions would be a nice gesture and something they would use and appreciate. Regardless of the gift, you decide on, don’t forget to include a thank-you note
How to Ensure an Enjoyable Godh Bharai For the Mother-To-Be?
Because the rasam is carried out in the last trimester of pregnancy, it can be somewhat tiresome for the to-be-mother. The mother adorns herself with jewelry just like on her wedding day, which means she is traditionally clad in a heavy saree which can be cumbersome. One can choose to dress light and comfortable; according to the weather and the place, and it is best to stay hydrated, eat well, dress comfortably, and make the most of the festivities. When you see your female friends singing and dancing during the celebrations, you may be tempted to shake a leg or two. If you feel like it, go for it.
Planning an Indian baby shower isn’t easy, but with a few good ideas, you can plan in a great way to show mum-to-be how much you care and make the occasion a memorable one for her and all your family and friends.
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