Have we reached peak baby celebrations now? I think so.

I think we can all understand that becoming a grandparent is a big deal. I mean; your child having a child – it must feel nothing short of magical, and I know just how excited my own parents were to become grandparents – both the first time around, and also the subsequent four times after that, as my sister and I grew our own families.

However, while my friends kindly did throw me a baby shower both times I was pregnant, my mum did not have a ‘granny shower’ as she was expecting her grandchild or grandchildren.

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However, nowadays, I am told, this has become increasingly common – at least in the US.

Apparently, they are called ‘grandmother showers’ or ‘granny showers’ for short, and they are exactly what they sound like: a celebration for the soon-to-be granny in honour of the baby on the way.

But it seems not everyone is onboard with granny showers – especially parents.

Tacky or lovely?

DeeDee Moore, who shares grandparenting insights on her TikTok and website More Than Grand, recently sparked an online conversation with her take on this growing trend.

@morethangrand Are granny showers a nice new tradition or a tacky gift grab? Welcoming new grandparents with New Grandparent Essentials is always appropriate! Get New Grandparent Essentials at morethangrand.com/nge #grandparents #grandparent #CommunicationTips #GrandparentsLove #AdultChildren #NewGrandparent #newgrandma#newgrandparents #newgrandma #Grandparenting #HealthyBoundaries #Boomer #EffectiveCommunication #GentleGrandparenting ♬ original sound – MoreThanGrand

‘There are definitely two opinions about grandmother showers,’ Moore said, adding:

‘Opinion one: Grandmother showers are a lovely way to welcome a friend or coworker into their new role. Opinion two: Granny showers are inappropriate and tacky gift grabs.’

So, which is it?

‘Well, like anything, so much of it depends on the circumstances,” Moore explains.

‘If a group of coworkers gets together and has a lunch where they celebrate someone becoming a new grandmother, giving her a card and a cake and a book about grandparenting or some things to keep at her house for the baby—it’s a lovely way to welcome somebody to this new stage of life.’

‘But,’ she continues, ‘when the grandmother’s shower rivals the shower for the actual parents, that’s where it crosses a line.’

The TikTok granny reminded her followers that baby showers were traditionally created to help young families with the essentials.

‘It’s harder to justify a shower for a grandmother who can likely afford most of the things she needs and probably won’t need that many things to begin with,’ Moore says.

‘Keep in mind too, to make sure that the parents have all the things they need before you start outfitting grandmother’s house,’ she adds.

Moore’s take? Consider the situation. Small celebrations? Lovely. Full-blown registry events? Probably not.

It did not take long for Moore’s video to go viral, and the comments started rolling in on her video. Overall, people had very divided views on the granny shower trend.

‘I think I would ask the new mothers how they feel about them. I’m a grandma of three, and I would rather my friends celebrate my daughters/DIL,’ one person wrote.

Another follower stated:

‘My MIL’s friends threw her a small one & she was very happy, sent pics, got gifts for the baby. All good with me. It’s weird to plan ur own in my opinion.’

Someone else chimed in with:

‘Nah, granny showers are tacky. The granny already had her showers when she was pregnant with her kids, and this is just taking away from the new parents’ spotlight.’

So what, then, is the verdict on granny showers?

Moore suggests a casual gathering with friends or coworkers, emphasis on light and low pressure, if you just want to celebrate a granny-to-be in your life. Or consider a practical twist: a meal-prep party to support the new parents.

‘You can toast granny’s new chapter while stocking the freezer for postpartum meals. It’s heartfelt, helpful and still centred on the growing family.’

She adds:

‘Becoming a grandmother is a milestone—and it’s OK to honour that. But let’s keep the focus where it’s most needed: the new parents who are entering uncharted territory, often with fewer resources and more pressure than ever.’

In other words, a card, a lunch, even a heartfelt book on grandparenting? Beautiful. A gift registry and Pinterest-worthy event? Maybe skip it.