How to Plan a Heartfelt Blessingway in Lieu of a Traditional Baby Shower
When I was pregnant, the idea of a baby shower came up, but it just didn’t quite resonate with me. As a first-time mom, I still wanted to do something meaningful to celebrate, but big parties weren’t really my style. I craved something more intimate, intentional, and connected. Does that sound like you? If so, a Blessingway might be the perfect way to honor your journey into motherhood and celebrate your baby in a deeply meaningful way.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably read a lot of natural pregnancy books—and chances are, you’ve come across Aviva Romm. Right after I found out I was pregnant, I dove into The Natural Pregnancy Book, and it quickly became a must-read in my journey. Toward the end, she mentioned something called a Blessingway, and I was immediately intrigued. I soon discovered that it’s an age-old ritual designed to literally bless the path of the mother-to-be and her baby. It wasn’t a party but a deeply intentional and meaningful gathering of women to honor and support the mother. I was sold.
The best part about a Blessingway is that you can customize it to include anything that feels meaningful to you. For example, I knew I wanted to wear a bracelet with special crystals during birth, so we had a bracelet-making ceremony where each guest spoke words of love and encouragement to me and my daughter, Jasmine, before placing a stone on the string. I also have a deep love for good food, so we included a cake-decorating portion, allowing everyone to share in the joy of creating something beautiful together—then, of course, indulging in it!
Here’s my advice for creating a special Blessingway for you and your baby: Start by setting up a cozy, quiet space where your guests can share from the heart. We had a dear friend host ours, and we began with a meditation to ground the energy. Then, we moved into a sharing circle, where the mothers in attendance shared pieces of their journey along with heartfelt wishes for me and Jasmine.
The key is to tune in to what feels meaningful to you and invite your guests to be part of that. We shared poems, sang songs, and simply enjoyed the beauty of being together. Another wonderful tradition is having your guests prepare nourishing dishes—some to enjoy during the gathering and some to freeze for when the baby arrives. Having that extra nourishment postpartum is such a gift! Perhaps the most heartfelt tradition of all was having my dear friend paint a mandala on my belly while my mom lovingly prepared my headspace for birth. She brushed my hair gently and placed a flower crown on my head, creating a sacred and nurturing moment. I felt so deeply loved and honored, completely surrounded by warmth and support as I prepared to welcome my baby.
If you’re wondering when to have your Blessingway, I believe the closer to your due date, the better. This allows you to fully soak in the love and support, harnessing that beautiful energy as you prepare for your baby’s arrival. My daughter, Jasmine, was born on February 29 last year, and we celebrated just a week before—it was truly perfect timing. The warmth, encouragement, and shared love from that gathering carried me through those final days before birth in the most valuable way.
If a traditional baby shower doesn’t feel right to you and seems more like a party for everyone else, consider a Blessingway instead. It was one of the most special days of my life—not focused on presents, but on presence. The love, support, and deep connection I experienced made me feel truly held as I prepared for motherhood.
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