Baby Shower Trends You May Actually Enjoy

Babble|Dec. 8, 2011 10:42 am EST

I got a lot of grief from a lot of women when I expressed how much I hate baby showers in my post " 7 Things NOT to Do at Baby Showers." Go on, read the nearly 100 comments about what an angry, baby-hater I am. I'll wait.

Ok, ok, I get it. Ladies apparently love their showers. Or they like the gifts that having one will score them. The number of comments I got about how they love to ooooh and aaaah over all the presents absolutely blew my mind. That is one of the greatest horrors of a baby shower, as far as I'm concerned! I've been to parties where gift-opening took two hours. That's absurd! I don't spend that long opening gifts on Christmas morning with my kids!

Click here to see Baby Shower Trends You Might Actually Enjoy Slideshow.

Anyway, there's something even worse than the gift opening, in my opinion — the games. But judging by some of the irrationally angry comments here, a lot of women really love those games. I'm not sure why, but I'm not judging. Ok, I kind of am judging because oh my god are you crazy?

But listen, I can acknowledge that we all have different opinions and that's what makes the world go round. Still, you militant baby-shower lovers should know that for every one of you that squeals in delight over the "hilarious" games, there is one from my team who is throwing up in their mouth a little bit. It's true! I'm sorry, but it is. And don't tell us, "If you hate showers so much then just don't come." Just like you, we are lovely people who want to support our friends. We just don't think that support should include losing our ever-lovin' marbles over a pink onesie from Babies "R" Us or asking people to guess what's in the diaper.

With that in mind (and lest you think I'm Lady Grinch), I thought I'd go ahead and expose the latest baby shower trends, some of which I think will please all of us... — Monica Bielanko

• How did we ever get stuck playing these 7 awkward baby shower games?

• Say thanks... and more tips on baby shower etiquette for expectant mothers

• What NOT to buy for baby: 10 items to take off your registry

• Get rid of the tiny finger foods... plus 6 more ways baby showers need to change