The gender reveal is a party organized to announce the sex of the future baby to relatives. But how exactly does the event take place? What is the difference with a baby shower? Answers.
If you are expecting a child, you have certainly heard of the gender reveal party. This baby shower comes straight from the United States, just like the baby shower. In recent years, it has established itself in France and has become increasingly popular, particularly among stars and influencers, who finally make everyone want to reveal baby’s gender in a festive and original way. But what is a gender reveal party? Why and how to organize it? Here’s everything you need to know about this particular holiday.
What is a gender reveal?
The gender reveal party is an opportunity for future parents to let their loved ones know the sex of the future baby. In some cases, the parents do not know it and learn it at the same time as their guests. If the couple wants to find out the sex of the baby at the same time as the guests, they ask their gynecologist, for example, to register “girl” or “boy” on a piece of paper which he places in a closed envelope. In order to keep the mystery intact, the future parents entrust the precious sesame to a trusted person who will therefore be the only one to know the sex of the unborn child. The latter will be in charge of organizing an original and fun animation to announce if it is a little girl or a boy.
Who made the concept of gender reveal popular?
This new way of announcing the happy event is the idea of an American, Jenna Karvunidis. In 2008, she held a blog for her first pregnancy on which she recounted the party she organized to reveal the sex of her child. At the time, she had cut a cake whose interior color revealed that she was expecting a baby girl. Little by little, she also talked about it on parental forums and then the American site The Bump Magazine dedicated an article to him to talk about the concept of gender reveal. The trend was on. However, ten years later, in 2019 the young woman confided in a Facebook post that she regretted being at the origin of the popularity of gender reveal. “Who cares about the gender of their baby? I did this because we weren’t living in 2019 and we didn’t know what we know now – the fact that assigning a gender at birth robs children of their potential and certain talents that have nothing to do with see with what we have between the legs“, she said.
What is the difference between baby shower and gender reveal?
A baby shower and a gender reveal are two different baby showers. The baby shower is generally planned for the future mother during pregnancy, (the future dad can also participate), by her friends and family to celebrate the arrival of the baby. During this party, fun games and activities are organized and often the guests give gifts to the pregnant woman. Unlike, the gender reveal is another celebration which also takes place during pregnancy but which announces crucial information: the sex of the baby. Both events meet on one point: they are festive, please future parents and are prepared for the upcoming birth of a child.
A gender reveal takes place most often during half a day, morning or afternoon. Future parents and guests are invited to a place that has been decorated for the occasion. The decoration of a gender reveal is traditionally pink and blue, but nothing prevents you from opting for a combination of neutral or mixed colors such as green, brown, yellow or gray. Lanterns, bouquets of flowers, balloons, pennants, candles… A buffet can also be set up and made up of two-tone sweet and savory sweets and cocktails. Before the announcement of the sex of the child, as for a classic baby shower, entertainment and games are also planned to entertain the guests and set the mood. For example, offer your guests a candy bar or “future parents” workshops (guess the taste of small jars, special baby “small tray”, create a souvenir album with Polaroids of the day…). After the animations, place to the announcement of the sex of the child.
The gender of the baby can be revealed in different ways, with a sufficiently explicit color such as pink or blue. Here are some examples to announce that you are pregnant with a girl or a boy:
- a gender cake : it’s a big cake preferably, a very thick layer cake, with white icing which contains in its heart a sponge cake or candies: blue if it’s a boy, or pink if it’s a girl .
- A few blue or pink sequins in a balloon that is popped when the baby’s gender is revealed
- A piñata that we break with colorful surprises
- A smoke bomb can also do the trick: future parents pierce the balloon (or any other object) and then discover what color is hidden inside.
- The person designated to know the secret can also put together a box with lots of small objects inside with an oriented design (blue bodysuit, small slippers, mustache biscuits, etc.).
When to organize a gender reveal party?
Usually, a gender reveal is organized from the fifth month of pregnancy. This is also when the second pregnancy ultrasound can reveal the baby’s gender. The result is reliable at this stage. Souvenir photos will be even more beautiful with your rounded belly.
What do we offer at a gender reveal party?
At a gender reveal party, some offer birth gifts intended for the baby or future parents. Since the guests are not supposed to know the gender of the child before the announcement, it is best toopt for a mixed gift for baby : a pretty cuddly toy, an early learning game, a large practical changing bag, a health book cover, a sleeping bag in neutral colors, a night light, a decoration for the bedroom of the child etc. To please parents, you can offer them treats, a blank photo album that they will fill in as they go along, or personalized T-shirts or bracelets.
How do stars celebrate their gender reveal party?
On the side of the stars too, the gender reveal are trendy! For the occasion, they often think big to make the moment even more unforgettable. Among the public figures, there are Matt Pokora and Christina Milian who organized a big outdoor party for the arrival of their son Isaiah in 2020, but also Rachel Legrain-Trapani and her companion Valentin Léonard or former Miss France Alicia Aylies. The actresses Shay Mitchell and Jessica Alba also learned the sex of their child during a gender reveal party. Just like the American star Shemar Moore and his girlfriend Jesiree Dizon who gathered their loved ones for a spectacular gender reveal party with helicopters that let out pink smoke in the sky! For reality TV personalities and influencers, this type of event for the arrival of a child is also particularly appreciated.