I definitely agree. Its the differences between all the cultures that make them interesting

Hmmm.. Forgotten that us Brits burn effergies of dead failed political activists and celebrate death and torture.... Jeez, Guy Faulks???? 500 years of hatred? talk about bearing a grudge....

Dont miss it....

I don't either. Used to spend the night and the 3 weeks before and after trying to keep the animals calm because some tossers thought bonfire night went on for months!

In North America we do a bridal shower which is usually arranged by the maid of honour. Traditionally it was where the bride got stuff like tea towels and bakeware and an ironing board. Over the years it's changed to a more hen's do type affair but traditionally it was where the bride got all the stuff to start her new home.

The men would go on a stag night where the groom had one last hurrah before becoming a married man. Typically loads of alcohol, strippers and gambling and the groom always wins at poker or whatever the game of choice is.

When I got married the first time my maid of honour threw me a shower but because I had lived on my own for 9 years we didn't need much. So we got lots of nice cards wishing us well; some had cash in them but most didn't.

Absolutely. I have learned a lot about British customs since joining this site. And Australian customs and loads of other cultural celebrations. Whether I choose to participate or not is up to me. However if someone else wants to participate then more power to them.

You dont have to go if its not a real friend of yours and you feel like you have just been invited to fill the coffers.

Someone gave me a voucher for a pedicure in the last month of my pregnancy and it was such a treat at that advance stage, where you can hardly see your feet, much less touch them! So, now when I choose a gift for a pregnant friend, I always get a pedicure voucher. The baby normally does not need anything, they often dont get to wear all the baby gear.

I went to my first baby shower a few weeks ago & had no idea what to get as a gift or quite what a baby shower entailed.

It was for the daughter of a friend who I'd only met a couple of times so in the end I made a taggie blanket & bought a small bear & a tiny pair of socks (& looking at the size of the socks I couldn't believe that any of my kids ever had feet that small but they must have ). My present looked tiny compared with all the others - baby monitor, bags of toys, breast pump, etc. etc. but she loved it because I'd made it specially

Not sure I actually enjoyed the party itself, I've kind of got past going all gooey over tiny baby clothes (that is until I become a grandmother but that will hopefully be some time off yet - it better be anyway!!) & I didn't get involved with the games either as it's just not my sort of thing.

Alison x

Great idea x

I've been to a few baby showers and wish I'd had one (wasn't the norm when I had my first child in the UK), I think it's a great excuse to have a girly day. In the UK I went to the baby shower of a South African friend (seems to be common there) and I've been to several since living in Australia.
I think it's normal to take a small gift, pampering for the mum-to-be or something for baby. At a baby shower I went to recently we were asked not to take a gift but a piece of colourful material for baby that was made into bunting for the nursery, lovely idea and very creative!
Expect lots of labour horror stories!!

Aha!! A girly pampering day filled with labour horror stories... No wonder I have a natural aversion to them....

I think they're horrible, sorry. A friend went to one. Horrifically the baby was still born and the parents obviously were devastated but were stuck with all these baby gifts. Rare admittedly but for the same reason I would never tell people I was pregnant until after the first trimester, I wouldn't have a baby shower. Never heard of a wedding shower. It all seems a bit grasping to me.

I wonder whether Kim Kardashian had a wedding shower?

If a "marriage" fails after 72 days do you get to keep the presents??? Its within a 3month return period... Suppose it depends how far in advance a gift was brought....

Nancy Reagan used to have a closet full of recycleable gifts.... Things she had recieved largely as a result of being a presidents wife, that she simply re wrapped for other people .... I admire her thriftiness.. Wonder whether she quilts too????

Don't think she does much of anything anymore. Didn't she die not long ago?

I now understand what they say about WA being so isolated.... Had no idea... News of that momentous event hasnt reached us yet.... Surprises me coz the Kardashians are so self promoting of their brand.. Surprised they haven't launced a Kardashian Deepest Sympathy Kard line... Now thats what I would call Kashing in on a name

I lied. She's still alive. I must have been thinking of the drug rehab one.

It was Betty Ford who died recently. A true lady and a champion of causes like breast cancer and addiction. Both long before they became fashionable to talk about.