With all the anticipation, excitement, and mystery, it’s easy to see why gender reveal parties continue to gain popularity. We realize that when you are planning a gender reveal party, there are a lot of questions you need to ask yourself. In order to make this article as effective and useful as possible, we present these questions in detail because every woman needs to be aware of the etiquettes and the exciting parts of planning a memorable gender reveal party!
When Should I Host My Party?
The first trimester is trying for most women; they can look forward to the 12 weeks of nausea and exhaustion before they can breathe a sigh of relief. While it is perfectly normal and normal to plan ahead for your baby, we suggest that you spend the first few months of pregnancy focusing on your health and that of your little nugget. The other thing to keep in mind when it comes to the timing of your gender reveal party is where you are going to hold it. We recommend that you use a party center or event venue for your gender reveal party. The last thing you want to worry about during your pregnancy is how to cram all your loved ones into your house (where are they going to park? Do you have enough bathrooms? Where are they going to sit, or mingle?) Because halls can fill up quickly with weddings on weekends, plan your party on a weekday evening. Not only will you be able to book the room more easily, but you will also save a lot of money. Seriously, using a venue to alleviate the stress of this party is worth it when you expect it to be, and splitting the cost among a few family members is another great way to use a venue over your own. So, let’s talk about logistics. While some ultrasound technicians claim to have the technology to assess your baby’s gender as early as week 14, most obstetricians say they can’t guarantee an accurate reading for up to 18 weeks. So that is around the time that you need to start thinking about your reveal.
Should I combine the gender reveal party with a baby shower?
Having a gender reveal party and a baby shower at the same time has several things to consider. Do you want baby gender specific gifts? If so, it may be better to have two parties, giving guests plenty of time to purchase clothes, blankets, or gifts for girls or boys. Do you want guests from out of town to attend both evenings? It might be better to have just one party in order to reduce the time and cost of traveling for these people.
All in all, the combination of the two parties leads to an overarching question: What do you expect from these parties? If you would like your baby shower to bring together family and friends to celebrate the imminent arrival of your little baby, it makes sense to combine them. If you would like the goal of your gender reveal to be strictly gender reveal, then maybe having two isn’t a bad idea. Usually, gender disclosures are made in conjunction with a lot of family and friends, and although baby showers can also be done jointly, some expectant mothers prefer a ladies-only activity. It is the setting of your priorities for these parts that will ultimately lead you to answer this question. Keep in mind that having two parties is up to you, and not selfish or demanding – but may be harder work!
Should I be surprised at the reveal?
The whole point of a gender reveal party is simply to reveal the gender of your baby. It’s fun to be surprised, but it’s also fun to surprise others. There is no right or wrong answer for this because naturally your reaction will be just that – a reaction! If you are a guest, of course you should remain neutral and not show any sign of disappointment if the baby isn’t what you wanted it to be!
Be sure to let your ultrasound technician know well in advance if you are planning a gender reveal party. They will be happy to note the gender and give you an envelope with the information. If you want to know the gender in advance, and surprise only your friends and family, that’s also great! Someone will need to know the gender in order to plan the surprise, so remember if you want it to be you, a friend, or a loved one.
