Baby showers are a celebration of an impending birth, typically held 4–8 weeks before the due date.
Baby showers originated in the US post-WWII, where they were explicitly about receiving gifts. They became popular in the UK from the 1990s onwards, initially closer to the American gift-focused model but evolving into a more celebration-focused event where gifts are one element rather than the point.
Close female friends and family of the mum-to-be. Baby showers in the UK are typically women-only, though mixed baby showers are increasingly common. The guest list should reflect the mum-to-be's preferences — not the host's or wider family's.