Your Baby Guide . com

April 29, 2009

How do the Chinese Name their Babies?

Filed under: General — Tags: , , — Jennifer @ 1:03 am

How are Chinese baby boys and Chinese baby girls named? A variety of methods exist. The hopes of the parents play a big role in naming Chinese babies. The person’s name continues to remind him of his parents’ expectations.

These expectations can generally fall into one of six different categories. The six categories are: 1. Moral accomplishments, 2. Scholastic success and intelligence, 3. Beauty and good health, 4. Social and financial standing, 5. A safe and non-dramatic life, and 6. The power of a strong will combined with independence.

Some families name their children based on the birth order of the siblings. Some families have age-old traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation, which guide how the babies are named. These infants are named by using a system that is unique to each family — one that has been defined by his or her ancestors.

Another way of naming a baby is to give them a name that reflects the historical events or the culture that are a part of Chinese history.

Lastly, there is a system that is astrologically-based. A baby name can be derived from the time or season of birth, or the animal that represents the year that the baby was born. The Five Elements can also be an inspiration for the names.

There are additional subtleties to the technique of naming Chinese baby girls and Chinese baby boys, because parents have varying goals for their daughters and sons.

The expectation of a good man is that he will be devoted to his nation and his people. Additionally, he should have a strong moral character. He should be in good health, have ambition, be serious, be intelligent and make his family proud.

As such the method of naming baby boys include those that bring honor to one ancestor and continue family tradition and business. It can also indicate lofty aspirations, having noble character, willpower and determination, responsibility, strong physique and vitality, being broad-minded, have unusual wisdom and willing to serve the nation and people.

How do the Chinese name their baby girls? Being virtuous, chaste and filial are examples of their parent’s aspirations. She should take care of her family, love her brothers and sisters, and have excellent housekeeping skills. The ideal Chinese woman must be beautiful within. She must have a combination of grace and intelligence. She must have the ability to coexist with her neighbors in harmony.

As such, names given to baby girls will be reflective of the parents’ desire that their daughter turn out to be virtuous, tender, beautiful, smart, clever, graceful, and elegant.

Now you know!

April 28, 2009

Proper Baby Shower Etiquette

Filed under: Baby Showers — Gwen @ 8:33 am

In every mom-to-be celebration, there are certain rules that should be followed. These rules have transformed from its customary appeal to the modern ways. Most people nowadays still follow the traditional baby shower etiquette. However, they mix the tradition together with the modern ways in order to come up with a more convenient way to celebrate.

Traditional Baby Shower Etiquette

The first and indispensable rule in a baby shower celebration is that anyone can organize the party except for the couple who are having the baby. Baby showers are meant to be provided by the closest friends and relatives to recognize the new mother and the baby as a blessing in the family.

Second, the baby shower etiquette says that the celebration should be done prior to the birth of the baby. Most appropriately, the shower should take place between the mother’s eighth to ninth month of pregnancy. The protruding belly of the mother is the center of attention during the shower. This is the very reason why baby showers are not done when the mother shows no physical sign of pregnancy. Imagine if a shower would be held at 4 months, then it would disregard the purpose of welcoming a new baby which should be physically evident through the tummy.

Lastly, the baby shower etiquette imparts that women are the only ones to attend the party. During the olden times, only ladies are the expected attendees of the baby shower. They bring gifts intended for the baby and not for the mother.

Contemporary Baby Shower Etiquette

Unlike the traditional methods of celebration, the modern ones which are currently practiced together with the olden ways are more straightforward in manner. They usually consist of ideas which are obviously brought up by a modern mind.

Nowadays, the baby shower etiquette tells us that the couple having the baby can organize the shower provided that they exert only a limited effort. For example, they can contribute on the costs of the party and they can offer to do some preparations such as sending out of invitation cards and food preparation. Baby shower etiquette in the modern world also says that it is possible to have a surprise baby shower celebration; this of course is prepared by the closest friends and family of the couple.

In our present time, the celebration is allowed to commence either before or right after the delivery of the baby. Men are also invited and are allowed to go to these parties. Although it is very much different from the olden ways, the modern one that is practiced today is widely accepted by almost all cultures and races around the world. After all, a baby shower is meant to be a fun get together and not a celebration with so many rules to follow.

April 27, 2009

Ideas For Baby Shower Decorations

Filed under: Baby Showers — Gwen @ 8:19 am

Once you have picked the theme of your baby shower, there is a lot of planning to do. Once you have planned the food and the activities, you will need to plan the baby shower decorations. Baby shower decorations do not have to be the traditional ones that you can think of. You can come up with new and different baby shower decorations in order to find things that will fit your theme. Have fun with baby shower decorations. It will make the space you are holding your party in that much more exciting.

Matching Your Theme To Your Decorations

The best way to begin picking out baby shower decorations is to first have a theme in mind. If you are doing a special theme, you might have to look at other decorations besides those specifically for a baby shower. Baby shower decorations can be anything, such as stuffed animals for a zoo or jungle theme. Baby shower decorations can also be sports equipment, like for a sport themed baby shower. The possibilities are really endless. All you need to do is make sure that your ideas are creative. The rest will take care of itself.

Reusing Decorations For Other Occasions

If you have a special theme to your baby shower, it is easy to find baby shower decorations that could be reused for another baby shower, or even reused for another purpose. Take the zoo animal theme, for example. If you buy stuffed animals as baby shower decorations, they can later be used as toys for the baby. If you are throwing a tea party baby shower, you can get flowers and ribbons to decorate with that can easily be used for another purpose.

As long as you buy quality baby shower decorations, they can be used again many times, and probably for different purposes. Reusing baby shower decorations can save you a lot of time and money when it time for the next party to come around.

If you still want to use the same conventional decorations, you can combine them with your themed decorations in order to create a whole new party atmosphere. But because sometimes the conventional decorations are considered too cute or just a little too much, so try to use them sparingly. People know it s a baby shower, so you do not need to have bottles and pacifiers everywhere. Limit your decorations so that the party will still look tasteful.

« Newer PostsOlder Posts »

Powered by WordPress