Gender reveal parties are the new baby showers – and they’re changing the way we celebrate births. Instead of a gathering of female friends, parents are now bringing all their friends together to reveal their baby’s sex and celebrate the upcoming birth. It’s a way to add an exciting twist to an otherwise basic party, but they also tend to be more elaborate than your standard baby shower.
If you’re planning a gender reveal party, these four tried and true tips will help you throw a party your friends and family will never forget. The birth of a new baby is an exciting time, and your little one deserves to be celebrated in style.
Get A Gender Check
Obviously the most important information you need in order to throw a gender reveal party is the sex of your baby – but depending on your prenatal care, that can take some time. If, for example, you’ve had an early amniocentesis, then you’ll have genetic proof of your baby’s sex. If you’re relying on ultrasound, however, it can take longer to get a read on your baby’s gender. So how early can you start planning?
By visiting an early gender ultrasound facility, you can find out your baby’s sex by 14 weeks. Improved sonogram technology can visualize the gonads, but most obstetrics practices don’t have these systems. Specialty practices, however, can help you start planning your party as soon as you reach your second trimester.
Write Your Registry
The majority of people only have one party – either a gender reveal or a baby shower – and that means you’ll want to make your baby registry in time for your gender reveal so that guests know what you need. And you need all sorts of things. You’ll want to register for nursery items, toys, gear like a stroller and high chair, and even books and clothes. Friends with kids are also sure to share some of their favorite baby items, adding to the list.
Create A Cool Theme
Gender reveal parties are infamous for their funny, creative themes, so it’s time to get planning. Some popular gender reveal themes include:
- Tutus or Touchdowns
- Bows or Bowties
- Pirates or Mermaids
Many people even split guests into teams for their gender reveal party, letting the guests guess the gender of the baby before the big announcement. This adds another layer of suspense to the event.
Rig Up The Reveal
You know your baby’s gender, you have a theme, and now you have to figure out how to tell everyone – and this is where things get really fun. Parents-to-be have come up with all sorts of exciting reveals, from balloons raining down colored confetti to cakes filled with colored candies and balloons rising from boxes. Some have even turned the reveal into a silly string fight, blocking out the labels and setting the guests on each other in delight.
Whatever you choose, be sure to be safe. More than one family has shot off colored powder from guns and recently a border agent started a giant wildfire during his family’s gender reveal when he used a high-velocity firearm to hit a colored explosive. In other words, just because you can buy gender reveal explosives doesn’t mean you should.
Hosting a gender reveal party can be a lot of fun, filled with pink and blue treats, decorations, and themed accouterments. So set a date and get ready to celebrate – a baby is on the way!