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什么是baby shower
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。
Baby shower由来已久，早在美国殖民地时代，妇女们就聚集在准妈妈的家中，一边缝制婴儿衣服、裁剪尿片，一边传授育儿经。在商品发达的今天，婴儿用品应有尽有，凡想得到的都买得到。大家都带着精心选购的礼物来到派对的场所，或是主办人的家中，或是公司里，或是教堂内。即将出世的宝宝若是个男孩，那么房间布置会是蓝色调；若是个女孩，则是粉色调。房内最宽大舒适的椅子一定是准妈妈的“宝座”， 椅子上还会系着一串串蓝色气球或粉色气球。
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。
在派对上，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。（来源：CRI实用英语课堂）
考考你
1. 形势会好转的。
2. 他迷途知返，成了一个好青年。
3. 一堆没出息的家伙，给我停手。
4. 他的额外津贴包括公司提供的一辆汽车。
《所有美好的东西》精讲之二 参考答案
1. They often argue but it doesn't take them long to come round.
2. Speak of the devil, here she is!
3. Many countries subsidize exports.
4. After the excitement I tried to settle myself.
（中国日报网英语点津：陈丹妮）
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