The Evolution of Baby Celebrations: Grandma Showers and Dad Showers Gain Popularity

A heartwarming trend is emerging in the celebration of new life, as soon-to-be grandmas and expectant fathers are now being honored with their own versions of baby showers. The traditional focus on mothers-to-be is expanding to include other family members whose lives are also transformed by the arrival of a new baby. “Grandma baby showers” have gained significant traction on social media, offering a meaningful way to acknowledge the important role grandparents play in a child’s life. Rather than viewing these celebrations as attention-seeking or frivolous events, many are recognizing the practical and emotional value they provide. When a grandmother plans to be actively involved in a newborn’s care, she may need many of the same supplies as the parents—items that guests can contribute through thoughtful gifts. These celebrations acknowledge that the arrival of a grandchild represents a significant life transition for grandparents too, one filled with new responsibilities, joys, and challenges that deserve recognition.

The social media response to grandma showers has been overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing their personal experiences of these celebrations. One mother commented, “My mom’s coworkers threw her one for her 1st grandbaby. I thought it was cute,” while another woman shared, “My job did a nice collection for me as a grandma. I was really so surprised.” These testimonials highlight how these events aren’t merely about material gifts but about communities recognizing and honoring the expanded circle of care that surrounds a new baby. Grandparents often provide crucial support for new parents, offering childcare, emotional guidance, and practical wisdom drawn from their own parenting experiences. A grandma shower acknowledges this vital role and helps prepare grandparents with the practical items they might need when caring for their grandchildren, from portable cribs and car seats to diapers and toys that will stay at grandma’s house.

The evolution of baby celebrations doesn’t stop with grandmothers—expectant fathers are increasingly being honored with their own baby showers as well. This shift reflects a growing recognition that fatherhood represents a profound transition deserving of its own celebration. In one touching example shared by @themelaninatedmomma on Instagram, a soon-to-be mother documented the generous outpouring of baby supplies—diapers, wipes, and various baby gifts—that her husband received from a surprise baby shower thrown by his colleagues. The emotional impact of this gesture was evident in her caption: “Walking downstairs to see this still overwhelms me with emotion.” This thoughtful celebration not only provided practical support for the growing family but also affirmed the father’s important role in parenting and childcare, areas that have traditionally focused primarily on mothers.

The public response to dad showers has been enthusiastically supportive, with many observers recognizing the value of including fathers in pre-baby celebrations. One commenter shared, “My husband’s coworkers did this when I was pregnant. He came home all kinds of excited – mainly women, one made a cake, another did an amazing gift basket full of necessities. I will never forget how they included him in the baby excitement too!” This account highlights how these celebrations can help fathers feel included in the pregnancy journey, a process in which they can sometimes feel like bystanders rather than active participants. Another comment emphasized the cultural significance of this shift: “Wait can we stop and acknowledge and really enjoy the fact that they threw a baby shower for their male coworker because they are supporting his fatherhood. This is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!! fathers need to be part of the transition too!! Yes!!!!!!”

These expanded celebrations reflect broader changes in how we understand family roles and responsibilities in contemporary society. As more families embrace co-parenting models and as grandparents take on increasingly active roles in childcare, our celebratory traditions are adapting to recognize these realities. The growing popularity of grandma showers and dad showers suggests a more inclusive understanding of who “becomes a parent” when a baby arrives. These events acknowledge that while the mother’s physical experience of pregnancy and childbirth is unique, the emotional and practical preparation for a new family member extends to partners, grandparents, and other key figures in a child’s life. By celebrating these varied roles, we reinforce the idea that raising children is truly a collective endeavor, one that benefits from the involvement and support of multiple loving adults.

The emergence of these new celebratory traditions also points to a healthier approach to family transitions, one that recognizes the needs and experiences of all family members affected by a new arrival. Rather than focusing exclusively on the pregnant mother, these expanded celebrations create space to acknowledge that partners and grandparents also experience significant life changes and may need both practical support and emotional recognition. As one social media user succinctly put it: “Normalize Baby showers for DADS, too.” This simple statement captures the essence of this evolving trend—a move toward more inclusive celebrations that honor the full circle of care surrounding a new baby. Whether it’s a grandmother preparing to provide regular childcare or a father stepping into his new role, these celebrations affirm that many different people contribute to creating a nurturing environment for children, and all deserve to be acknowledged and supported as they embrace these transformative roles.