We all know many of these latter day events have floated across the pond so in that it was good to get the perspective of an American, thank you imaround, I like your comment it was insightful imo "They suck to attend but do it anyway"
My main objection to most of these new phenomena and old traditional ones such as Christmas which has become hyper commercialised and the new ones have an air of grabbiness. Baby Showers are small fry and could be arranged in a low key manner, I have no idea whether you as a guest are expected to come along with a small, soft toy, babygro, or are expected to splash out on something extravagant. I imagine that depends entirely on who is organising and their expectations. Incidentally I can well remember giving and receiving, baby gifts before the birth. This was pretty much done spontaneously and freely on a one to one basis amongst friends. As grandparents we offered and bought one of the necessary larger pieces of equipment as the OP has done and as I imagine many grandparents often do. My view is generational not everyone will share it, which is fine, I wouldn't expect anyone to. There was never a place for frivolous costly nonsense it wasn't really a thing. I'm thinking some of the bigger stuff, grandiose stag and hens, over the top weddings, particularly those abroad, even at home now, costly hotels have to be factored in, they were not part of my experience. The main focus for most of us in our youth, was establishing a home, that generally took all money and effort at the initial stages. Personally I wouldn't have wanted hard earned funds being directed into costly trips abroad for such purposes, or as many point out MN, eating into annual leave, jeopardising family holidays and making extensive difficult arrangements to have children looked after. Even the school prom can put enormous pressure on parents and try telling the average 16 year old how what they want is un -affordable they're living in the now, as we all were at that age and if everyone else is kitted out in expensive togs and once hairdos, limousine are factored in, if money is tight which for many it will be the pressure is enormous. Again none of this happened when most of us were growing up.
I think there's a massive incentive to Instagram events these days and with some, certainly not all, to place all the focus on themselves, one big day isn't enough now ,there's have to be more of "it's all about me!" days, all the renewal of vows rigmarole, what's all that about? you take your vows once and for all. Gender reveal? another party about bloody nothing, which is of no interest to anyone other than parents and grandparents.
Anyway I'm sure, like children's birthday parties a Baby Shower could be a nice low key tea party, I'd be inclined to go and as a grandparent who has already paid for something large and there will be numerous prospective contributions as the baby grows, I wouldn't feel the need to buy anything else.
the rest I can take it or leave it. 
