So you’re having a new baby – what an exciting time! Whether it’s your first kid or your fifth, it’s a new chapter nonetheless, and one worthy of a friend and family gathering. Nothing ushers in a new member of the family like a welcome party!
So whether you cut open a cake or skydive through pink- or blue-colored smoke clouds, it’s important to relish this special time. In a culture that sometimes seems to be all about the baby’s needs (and what Mom can or can’t do, drink, eat, or wear), throwing a gender reveal nudges the mother, her partner, and the family to pause from the overwhelming logistics and planning, and celebrate what really matters: new life. They also remind us to find joy in the miracle of the pregnancy itself, and to recognize those invited to be part of their baby’s life: parents, godparents, friends, relatives, and (if they have them) older siblings.
Gender reveals have spiked in trendiness over the last several years. They’ve ranged from the tamer popping of confetti-filled balloons to the wilder reveals that end up in news headlines. The good news for you? You get to present your reveal however you want.
For the family-minded couple that wants their party to reflect what matters most to them, here are some tips and ideas to show off their style and personality…and have a blast doing it.
Establish a game plan
To quote the boy scout motto, Always be prepared. Dwight D. Eisenhower said, Plans are nothing; planning is everything. Bottom line: it is crucial to plan ahead! Few things are more crushing for a couple who’s waited months and months to keep the sex of their baby a surprise, but the surprise gets ruined due to lack of preparation or foresight.
First, sit down with your partner; establish what you want and how you’d like to see it executed. Then, invite discerning friends or relatives who can point out potential hiccups in the plan (how the cake might get dropped, whether the pink or blue balloons arrive in a clear, see-through bag, etc.). They can help determine how to avoid them.
Forget the trends – plan the party you want to throw
Certain ideas may be popular and attract much affirmation on Instagram…but if it’s not a theme or style you’d pick for yourself, ditch em! If there has never been a drone-delivered confetti stream in pink or blue timed to rain over your guests and backyard (spoiler: there has), then be the first to host one!
Most couples enjoy both popular and affordable ways to throw a memorable party that everyone will enjoy. Look no further: Gender Reveal Celebrations, founded by a family-minded husband and wife, offers a colorfully creative array of gender reveal party products, each tested and approved by thousands of parents. Visit their user-friendly website for gender reveal ideas, themes, gifts, and differentiated product lines for revealing a boy or a girl.
Incorporate the older siblings
This is a big deal for your older children, too (if you have them). find other creative ways to make them feel included. Give them each their own confetti poppers that you can burst open together as a family. Take silly pictures together at your photo booth. Allowing them to feel included can reassure them that once their baby sibling is born, they won’t fear feeling replaced.
Avoid the loose-lipped
We all have that friend – the one who can’t keep a secret to save their life. Spare yourself the stress of hoping and praying they don’t blurt out the surprise! Determine who among your party guests are on an absolute need-to-know, and stick to sharing the secret only with those select few.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Your people will want to help! If it takes a village to raise a child, keeping a gender reveal surprise from getting completely botched also definitely calls for extra helping hands. Ask your OBGYN for ideas; sometimes, they’ll engage your third party vendor of choice for you, send them the baby’s sex results directly. Enlist the help of able friend and family to call the bakery, pick up those pink or blue supplies, set up the display, or make the invitations.
At the end of the day, remember what’s important: the new baby you get to welcome into the world. Embrace the added joy that comes with surrounding yourself with those special people in your life as you celebrate that moment. With some creativity, planning ahead, and a bit of extra help, your celebration will be a wonderful day full of memories you’ll cherish forever.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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