Unit 51 A Baby Shower 新生儿派对 整档节目节目收听

Part 1 History of Baby Showers 新生儿派对的历史

    Although the custom of helping expectant parents plan for a new baby has been a tradition for centuries, the origin of the modern baby shower is unknown. There is evidence that ancient cultures, such as the Egyptians and the Romans, often bestowed small gifts upon newborn children, or presented the parents with a hand-made gift after the child was born. However, baby showers as we know them today were not common until after World War II - possibly one of the first manifestations of the baby boom.

    Baby showers have always served several purposes. They allow friends and family to share the joy and excitement of welcoming a new life into the world, and they provide emotional support to new parents. It is not uncommon for an expectant mother or father to be nervous about their new role as a parent. A friendly word of advice from a friend or family member can be extremely helpful, and the presence of everyone who attends the shower is a supportive gesture that many appreciate.

    The expense of a baby can put quite a strain on a couple's budget, especially if the mother will no longer be working. Baby showers offer a chance for friends and family to help expectant parents with the costs of preparing for and caring for a newborn. New parents always need both fun and practical things, and hand-made gifts or toys create memories that last a lifetime.

    Traditionally, baby showers were celebrated by a new mother and only her closest friends after the baby had been born.

    At the time, it was considered presumptuous to hold a baby shower before the child was born (which is still the case in some cultures.) Over time, however, old traditions have relaxed, allowing for "couple showers" to which men are invited, and celebrations in the workplace that co-workers can attend. It is no longer necessary to wait until the baby is born, unless the mother-to-be prefers to wait until after she has given birth.

    就像准新娘在新婚前夕的“新娘送礼派对”bridal shower一样，“新生儿送礼派对”baby shower就是为了庆祝新生儿诞生所举办的温馨派对。shower原意是“阵雨”的意思，但是baby shower上，其实没有baby 也没有水。

    在这里指baby得到大批礼物，或许是因为礼物多得像大雨中的雨点。当一个妇女怀了baby后，她的亲朋好友会聚在一起，送baby很多衣服、玩具等礼物。比如说，The baby shower will be held for Amy tomorrow. 明天将给Amy举行一个新生儿送礼会。

    准备一场新生儿送礼派对要花费很多心思，主办人大多是准妈妈的好朋友，主办人要一手包办邀请函、派对主题、布置、餐点、宾客的小礼物等等。来参加的宾客，也是以准妈妈的女性亲友为主。

    在派队上，宾客除了问候准妈妈外，主办人也会带着大家玩小游戏，让大家和准妈妈互动起来，或者彼此多认识，小游戏的赢家也会另外得到奖品。baby shower 的压轴好戏是拆礼物的时间，准妈妈看到大家带来的礼物，惊喜之余也会感谢大家帮忙省下许多婴儿用品的费用。

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