Celebrating Parenthood Amidst The Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we celebrate family milestones, with social distancing measures are still being strictly enforced to curb the further spread of the virus. Since the first quarter of 2020, people have been taking to online platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Zoom to live stream wedding celebrations, birthday parties, graduations, and even wedding proposals. Meanwhile, those who are about to become parents for the very first time have also found clever ways to celebrate the arrival of their new baby. From baby showers and gender reveals to push parties, here's how people are celebrating parenthood amidst the pandemic.

Drive thru baby showers 

To stay safe during the global health crisis, most parents-to-be are choosing to go online and live stream their baby shower because it allows them to celebrate with as many people as they want to invite without disobeying social distancing rules. But for those who want to see their loved ones even for just a short time, there's the drive thru baby shower, which is gaining popularity all over the US. In this innovative celebration, guests arrive by car and are greeted by the couple on their driveway. After dropping off gifts for the baby, relatives and friends are given treats, such as packed meals or cupcakes, before they quickly get into their cars and drive away. The celebration continues online through live streaming apps, where the couple open gifts and show their reaction to the presents for their little one. 

Traveling gender reveal parties

Back in May, a couple from Rhode Island made headlines for their creative  twist on the gender reveal party shortly after the coronavirus threw a wrench in their original plan. Instead of canceling their party, the couple packed their car with ultrasound pictures, a few cakes, and sticks that would release blue dust into the air. The couple drove to their parents' houses, as well as to two of their friends' homes, to share the good news that they're expecting a baby boy. The duo made sure to follow social distancing guidelines on all of their four stops, dropping off the cakes and the sticks, before heading home. 

Push parties from home

Apart from baby showers, people are also focusing on the pregnant mom, and are having push parties to celebrate this special time in her life. A push party is the grown-up and more sophisticated alternative to the baby shower, and it's often held in posh hotels, restaurants, and even private rooms in clubs. Back in 2017, Beyonce and Jay Z made the push party even more popular, as the duo had an elaborate, African-themed push party to celebrate the singer, who was expecting twins at that time. Nowadays, smaller push parties are held at home, and those who cannot attend toast the celebrant with a glass of wine via video call, while gifts for the expecting mom are delivered through a courier service.

Celebrating the arrival of a new baby is an important part of many cultures, and many people have found innovative ways to keep this tradition alive during the pandemic. Indeed, for expecting couples, the celebration goes on, despite the ongoing threat of the health crisis.