What About the Man: Why Don't Men Get a Baby Shower?

My last post was a little more on the serious side, so this one will be a little more light-hearted.  To review from the last post, one the that men don't do well is ask for or seek support.  When we do seek support, it looks much different from how women seek support.

Because most women relate so well to conversation and intimate relationships with friends, the usual themes and ideas of baby showers are catered to them.  There are the "cute" little decorations put all over homes and banquet halls.  There are diaper cakes and pink and blue themes and cute little baby games.  The excitement of baby showers heighten as the soon-to-be mother opens the baby gifts.  Some women like to go in together and buy the more expensive gifts.  Why buy a practical little swing the baby will only use for a few months of his/her life when you can buy a huge swing that takes up half the room and can turn in all directions.  And that soft covering on the swing, the baby needs it.  Then there's that great anticipation as that retangular box is opened.  You know what it is.  It's the perfect breast pump!  You can't believe your friends/family bought you the perfect one! You're going to feel like you're driving a Ferrari while you're pumping, watching TV.  On a side note, I tried the pump once...yep, even though I'm starting to develop the horrible "moobs" as I age, it definitely didn't work.  It hurt!  Finally, just as the women think the present opening is over, in rolls the new stroller!  You registered for the most expensive one because Consumer Reports says it's the best and any other car seat and stroller combination isn't as safe.  You know that a seven pound baby knows the difference between the deluxe seat and the regular one, so deluxe you must have.  Wait, it's not over yet, in comes one more stroller!  It's the top-of-the line jogging stroller!  You've never jogged a day in your life, but you had to have it!  I know this is a little over the top, but who is the baby shower for?  I love my wife and in no way can live up to her as a person, but she walks into the store and even though we need nothing from the baby section she goes there anyway because she "enjoys" looking at all the baby stuff.

Here's my point: baby showers (like wedding showers...don't get me started on those) are as much, if not more, for the women as they are for the baby.  I'm fine with that as women deserve all the attention they can get, but what if men had baby showers.  Sure, we might come home with a few of the same things as women come home with, but most of it would be different and much more practical.  There would be the the child's tool set and the child's first sports set.  Instead of an overabundance of burp cloths and blankets, there would be movies and future business plans.  From the beginning children would have videos and books to show them how to be the next millionaire or the next professional athlete or the best farmer, instead of ten different kinds of pacifiers. 

The reality is I know we men could throw ourselves a man baby shower, but I pretty much guarantee that when we come home with our new possessions, we would probably be questioned about the practicality and validity of our gifts--because they're not near as practical as that $500 jogging stroller that will never be jogged with. 

Financial Tip of the Day:
You don't need to buy the most expensive car seat and stroller travel unit on the market.  We've used an $80 seat and a $300 seat (we got it used from a family friend), our children show no preferance for the seat.  In fact the more expensive one is cumbersome and takes up two seats of a bench seat.  You also don't need to buy a new stroller/seat for every new child, given they're not too many years apart. 

Questions:
1)What's the most practical baby shower gift?
2)What do people get too much of at baby showers?