Definition of Push Present:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A push present (also known as a "push gift" or "baby bauble") is a present a new father gives a new mother when she gives birth to their child. In practice the present may be given before or after the birth, or even in the delivery room. The giving of push presents has supposedly grown in the United States in recent years.
History
The tradition of gift-giving to commemorate a birth has long roots in England and India.The term "push present" first appeared in a publication in 1992.
There is, however, no conclusive evidence that the present was invented by the jewelry industry to sell more goods, and until recently it was passed on largely by word of mouth or peer pressure among both mothers and fathers. According to Linda Murray, the executive editor of BabyCenter.com, "It’s more and more an expectation of moms these days that they deserve something for bearing the burden for nine months, getting sick, ruining their body. The guilt really gets piled on." Other sources trace the development of the present to the increased assertiveness of women, allowing them to ask for a present more directly, or the increased involvement of the men in pregnancy, making them more informed of the pain and difficulties of pregnancy and labor.
Frequency
A 2007 survey of over 30,000 respondents by BabyCenter.com found that 38% of new mothers received a push present, and 55% of pregnant mothers wanted one, though fewer thought it was actually expected. About 40% of both groups said the baby itself was already a present and did not wish an additional reward. The trend has generated a backlash, as some couples dislike the implicit materialism of push presents, and would prefer increased help in chores or baby care, or save the money for the child's education.
According to etiquette expert Pamela Holland, there are no set guidelines for push presents. "The standard is that there is no standard," she said. "It does make sense to have etiquette around wedding or baby shower gifts because you're inviting other people into it. But this is far too intimate to have a rule." In general it is the woman who lets her man know about push presents, not the other way around, although there can be peer pressure from friends to buy one on either the man or the woman.
I like presents just as much as the next person so when Tice and I were at an event last night and a client of his asked Tice if he knew what he was getting me for my push present it got me thinking about what I might want. I had heard about "Push Presents" prior to last night but didn't really know that much about them and was interested in finding out more about them, where the idea came from and what sorts of gifts are typically given. As you can see above they tend to be a gift, large or small in monetary value given to the wife by a husband after their child is born. The idea is becoming more and more valid as Tice and I begin to enter the home strech of this preganacy (third trimester here we come on Monday!) and each day starts to become a bit more uncomfortable then the last. I see why a little gift for the pain and uncomfort would be nice! Now I just have to figure out what items I might start to dropping hints with!
And yes I know- the baby is gift enough when its all said and done but that doesn't mean I can't dream right?
Did any of you get "Push Presents" after any of your deliveries? If so what did you get? If you didn't, what would you have asked for?
