Gender reveal party

Howardbae2015

hi ladies! So I know this is months in the future but I have attended 2 gender reveal parties in the past 2 weeks, so it's got me thinking.... How many are going to have an actual reveal party to find out the gender when the time comes? It kinda seems like a lot of work.  I swear it's this damn Pinterest haha!  Anyways I think I will have a special moment with he DH at our US, then send a picture to friends and family.  But then again everyone seems to be having a gender reveal party, is this a new thing?!?  

PerraSucia

that's like at least 8-13 years from now.. who plans that far ahead.

but when it comes to the sex, it turns out that no one but you and your parents REALLY give a shit.  and maybe not even your parents. 

Howardbae2015

PerraSucia said:

that's like at least 8-13 years from now.. who plans that far ahead.

but when it comes to the sex, it turns out that no one but you and your parents REALLY give a shit.  and maybe not even your parents. 

Totally thought that right after I posted haha. I mean Sex reveal people!!! What my baby will or will not be born with between their legs lol

MonaLisaRalphio

I do think it's a relatively new thing, and it seems to be pretty US-specific.  It's not my thing, but if you think a party would be fun, go for it!  But you are by no means required to do one.

This is just a general comment: I would respectfully ask that our members try to use the term "sex" rather than "gender."  "Gender" refers to the psychological distinction of one's personal identity, while "sex" is a biological state of being.

ETA I see that yall discussed this while I was typing!

WinchesterGirl

It is insanely popular right now, but I'm not really a fan. To be fair, I'm not exactly a party person, particularly if the focus will be on me for any length of time.

Also, some have concerns that it seems gift grabby to have both a Gender reveal party and a shower (you didn't say if you plan to, just a note).  

Also, um, you might want to put on your fire gear. This will probably be an unpopular question.

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot

kswiger06

WinchesterGirl said:

It is insanely popular right now, but I'm not really a fan. To be fair, I'm not exactly a party person, particularly if the focus will be on me for any length of time.

Also, some have concerns that it seems gift grabby to have both a Gender reveal party and a shower (you didn't say if you plan to, just a note).  

Also, um, you might want to put on your fire gear. This will probably be an unpopular question.

Got nervous... lol

angeltennis3

I think they are weird to be honest. If you are going to celebrate something, celebrate a healthy baby not what is between their legs. 

I have only been to one and it seemed very AW to me. 

BumpasaurusRex

I'm not a fan of them.  They seem to be very AWish.  

I get being excited but to the point of having an actual party to find out how your child will pee? It seems like a waste of time for the guests.  Just send me a text, email, phone call and I promise, I'll still be just as excited.

Im waiting for the next trend of parties: nursery reveals, name reveals, conception parties, etc.  I don't doubt someone would think of it!

Howardbae2015

BumpasaurusRex said:

I'm not a fan of them.  They seem to be very AWish.  

I get being excited but to the point of having an actual party to find out how your child will pee? It seems like a waste of time for the guests.  Just send me a text, email, phone call and I promise, I'll still be just as excited.

Im waiting for the next trend of parties: nursery reveals, name reveals, conception parties, etc.  I don't doubt someone would think of it!

Haha stop, don't give any ideas!!! I just regret not having an ovulation party. Damnit! 

Xstatic3333

Another vote for not a fan. Lucky for me, they aren't big in my circles and I haven't even ever been invited to one. 

For any lurkers that are doing one, I just plead with you not to do a balloon release. Please. Pretty please. With a cherry on top. Now cake? That's the way to go. Delicious and non-destructive. 

genidee

Not for everyone. I had one with my DS, but was low key. It was a good reason to make cupcakes with a dark chocolate ganache. Then I filled them with blue cream cheese icing so that when everyone bit into it simultaneously...blue all around! It was mostly because I have no family nearby so I skyped them all in so they could feel like they were involved a little in the pregnancy. I don't know if I will this time around, but we'll see! 

kswiger06

Xstatic3333 said:

Another vote for not a fan. Lucky for me, they aren't big in my circles and I haven't even ever been invited to one. 

For any lurkers that are doing one, I just plead with you not to do a balloon release. Please. Pretty please. With a cherry on top. Now cake? That's the way to go. Delicious and non-destructive. 

A balloon release? Haha the idea sounds completely crazy, it belongs in a movie somewhere... no harm intended if anyone has or will really do one. I've just never even imagined that possibility.

Xstatic3333

kswiger06 said:

Xstatic3333 said:

Another vote for not a fan. Lucky for me, they aren't big in my circles and I haven't even ever been invited to one. 

For any lurkers that are doing one, I just plead with you not to do a balloon release. Please. Pretty please. With a cherry on top. Now cake? That's the way to go. Delicious and non-destructive. 

A balloon release? Haha the idea sounds completely crazy, it belongs in a movie somewhere... no harm intended if anyone has or will really do one. I've just never even imagined that possibility.

I've seen people do them on FB/lurking about. A box with pink or blue, you get the idea. It just bugs the heck out of me that the balloons become trash, something for wildlife to choke on, etc. 

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot

I was Team Green the first time around, which I prefer. But we'll find out this time (DH's preference). I'll probably do something with just the three of us (DH, me, DD). I find most cliche baby stuff to be super annoying in my STM-ness  I also realize that makes me a bit of a jerk.

Gingersnap

I'm thinking you like to post topics that get people's feathers ruffled @Howardbae2015

blush64

I also don't like them a d would never have one. I just call my mom and let her know the sex. If anyone else wants to know they ask and I tell them. 

I am trying to plan a sex reveal for the IP. It will be for just the 2 of them and I am trying to make it special. They won't be at the ultrasound and even so they wouldn't be alone. I want to do something so they are alone when they get the news and they can let their parents know themselves. Other than parents they don't care how anyone else finds out. 

kswiger06

@Xstatic3333 I see... I was picturing a group thing where everyone holds a balloon and then releases them at the same time. Like this

TarHeelBex

Definitely not a fan, especially the big productions I've seen where people invite friends, coworkers, etc., although it's personal choice I guess.

The first ultrasound we had for DD that we could see anything, we were told they were 60% sure it was a girl  I wouldn't be planning a big soiree around that nonsense.

Family and close friends will get a group text.  Might do a cute cupcake or cake to let DD know but don't plan on having an audience.  Right now I'm just hoping we get to that point in this pregnancy...

Xstatic3333

Hey @kswiger06, as long they hold on, it's still NMS but no complaints. 

joyful08

Howardbae2015 said:

Haha stop, don't give any ideas!!! I just regret not having an ovulation party. Damnit! 

I cannot stop laughing at this! Amazing!

kswiger06

@Xstatic3333 yes agreed... 

Just in case people skip a few comments please note, I am not pro balloon releases. Never gonna happen.

Howardbae2015

Gingersnap said:

I'm thinking you like to post topics that get people's feathers ruffled @Howardbae2015

That's not my intention. I have been on a few of these groups with last pregnancies and throughout TTC and MC and I have never had so much backlash then I have had on this group. I'm going to post what's on my mind and questions i have for other women in my position. If anyone is offended, my apologies, but you don't have to respond... I have seen other women that have also received critiscm over posts that were not intended to be rude of "MUD".  I honestly wish there could be 2 feb groups, one for "scientific serious shit people" and others for, "here's what the f is on my mind bitches" 

joyful08

I won't be having a party. I think it would be weird to invite people I know over just to find out the sex. However I do plan on having a family dinner that night (immediate family) and then having cake with the coloring inside. 

BumpasaurusRex

I will say that if I'm having family over and decide to have a cake or something small, I'm totally ok with that.  Because who doesn't love cake?

@Howardbae2015 You could always form a private group.

kswiger06

joyful08 said:

I won't be having a party. I think it would be weird to invite people I know over just to find out the sex. However I do plan on having a family dinner that night (immediate family) and then having cake with the coloring inside. 

This is subtle and cute. I could imagine this with just our parents.

Howardbae2015

BumpasaurusRex said:

I will say that if I'm having family over and decide to have a cake or something small, I'm totally ok with that.  Because who doesn't love cake?

@Howardbae2015 You could always form a private group.

Ha ha that's hilarious!!! I just learned to post a gif! But if anyone does do a private group I'm in lol 

Gingersnap

Whoa, slow down. I didn't say it was a bad thing. 
I find threads like these to be entertaining reads. 

cheymarie29

Well... I'm having one IF we can tell what it is on ultrasound. My fiance will be at basic training so he won't be here so I'm sending one envelope to him trying to time it so he finds out the same day we do. I'm not having gifts at all just a family get together because everyone wants to be involved in both families and this will allow his family to be there and be involved instead of it just being me with my family finding out while he's gone.  

Gingersnap

cheymarie29 said:

Well... I'm having one IF we can tell what it is on ultrasound. My fiance will be at basic training so he won't be here so I'm sending one envelope to him trying to time it so he finds out the same day we do. I'm not having gifts at all just a family get together because everyone wants to be involved in both families and this will allow his family to be there and be involved instead of it just being me with my family finding out while he's gone.  

My H was in AFG while I was pregnant with DD. She was our mid tour leave baby. 
We were able to Face Time during our first US. 

rachoochoo2

No way no how. My friend asked me if she could do one for me this time and I politely nipped it right away. Other then reasons already stated, we have 3 girls and 0 boys. This is our last pregnancy and if we have to spend a moment mourning the fact we will never have a boy (not that I wouldn't be happy with another girl because my girls are awesome) I don't want it to be in front of a crowd.

kswiger06

@rachoochoo2 my parents had 3 girls in a row, then 4 and 5 were boys! Not sure if you're religious or not but my mom said that she talked about it to her preacher and he said pray about it. She said she did and ended up getting pregnant with my brother. They had another because her doctor told her that her insides were slipping down and she had a small window if she wanted another so they did. Not sure if she prayed for another boy, but I always thought it was a cute story.

MamaCoffin

Personally I think the parties are ridiculous. Like someone else said very much an attention whore moment. Also, my circle of friends must rock because in a decade of everyone I know making babies.... Not one person has had one. And as someone else mentioned no one really gives a rats ass. 

As far as a fun reveal photo (no partying involved) I love a lot of those ideas. Mostly because it's a nice keepsake for you. 

With my second we did the balloon in a box thing... But (very importantly) the balloons were attached to the bottom of the box. DD put the balloons (she picked the purple ones) in her room after I took the pictures and kept them there for weeks. I texted the pictures to family and a few friends.

annewheeler2

I'm the odd one out but I love them. All of our siblings on both sides have them and its more for the party aspect. We all get together and drink, eat, and hangout. No one brings gifts, they provide food and alcohol. We found out the sex of dd the day after christmas and our family were all going back to their home states. It caused so much drama that we didnt invite all the family over to find out. I guess our friends and family just love any reason to throw a party. I also love seeing random peoples reveals as well. 

kirstynikole

raptormomma said:

I'm the odd one out but I love them. All of our siblings on both sides have them and its more for the party aspect. We all get together and drink, eat, and hangout. No one brings gifts, they provide food and alcohol. We found out the sex of dd the day after christmas and our family were all going back to their home states. It caused so much drama that we didnt invite all the family over to find out. I guess our friends and family just love any reason to throw a party. I also love seeing random peoples reveals as well. 

This definitely sounds like my family. I'm the first of my siblings to have kids and although my family is party heavy, I myself don't care for gender reveals and told them it won't be happening. I can see how some people view it as a party and time to just get together and celebrate the pregnancy but eh.. to each their own.

 I really like the intimate family dinner with a cake though- id love to do this with my parents since we weren't In the same state last pregnancy.

Who doesnt enjoy a good cake? Let them eat cake!

ChaoticWolf

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot said:

I was Team Green the first time around, which I prefer. But we'll find out this time (DH's preference). I'll probably do something with just the three of us (DH, me, DD). I find most cliche baby stuff to be super annoying in my STM-ness  I also realize that makes me a bit of a jerk.

Lurking from J17 again because I'm a creeper and my EDD is nearly F17, but I just wanted to say if I do a sex reveal this is what my cake will look like. And then when you cut into it instead of pink or blue, it'll be green and I'll be all like "Surprise fam! F your gender norms!" 

Either that or I'll have two boxes that say "P or V, what'll it be?" and then put a silly drawing of a p or v in the correct box. I'm hoping it's a boy so I can play Lonely Island's "It's My D*** in a Box"...

srscott3

DH and I are planning to find out the sex, then just having a dinner with our parents and siblings and "reveal" it to them. Not a party though. This will be the first grandchild on both sides, so we don't mind indulging them a bit

Side Note/Tip: If you do have a party, maybe consider finding out the sex yourself and just revealing to your party guests (as opposed to you and DH being surprised too). We attended a reveal party where the couple found out they were having a girl, but desperately wanted a boy. And the mom ACTUALLY CRIED. Like SAD tears. Which totally disgusted me. But also super embarrassing for them.

As PP have pointed out, I'm just hoping to make it that far in the pregnancy. Boy, Girl, Mermaid..I don't really care. Just give me a little, healthy version of DH and I and I'll be thrilled

silvercamaro77

I think they can be cute, but it's really easy for them to flip over into AW territory, so you have to tread lightly.  It also seems to be largely dependent on the parents' personality outside of the pregnancy- the people I've known that are generally very gracious and sweet-spirited have had cute parties that are fun and the people I've known that are very me, me, me all the time have obnoxious AW parties that really haven't been much fun.  Honestly that holds true for all their events and not just "gender" reveals....

I reserve the right to change my mind later, but I think a gender reveal could be a decent middle ground for 2nd + babies.  I think it would have to be clearly stated that we were using it as an opportunity to celebrate the baby in lieu of anyone throwing a baby shower.  It would still be easy to do poorly though.

I like the idea of sip 'n sees, but in practice it seems like an awful idea because I don't want to pass my new baby through a room full of germ laden people even if they are all family. I'd much rather expose new babies to just a few new people at a time.

Can you tell that I don't come from a party loving family?  lol   

L Jane

Blah....I'm in the "gender reveal parties are for attention whores" camp. I think they're dumb and I'd never have one. 

SSCmomma

Never really got having them and I've never been to one but I sure can't imagine inviting my DHs 94 year old grandmother to a SEX reveal party! 

varimama

I don't really get the trend of these parties. I love painting and found a cute painting with a baby and mother elephant that I plan on painting when I find out the sex and I'll either do blues & orange background or pink & purple background depending on the sex for the baby's room. I might also make a cake with colored frosting in the middle for just DH and I because I love cake.