The purpose of a Gender Reveal Party is for the expecting couple and all their friends and family to find out the gender of the new baby ... together. And it's a way to celebrate it in a fun and intimate way, instead of in a sterile hospital room with just you, your spouse, and your ultrasound tech.
Here's basically how it works:
When the couple goes in for the ultrasound, they tell the tech that they do not want to know the gender of the baby, but instead want him/her to write the sex on a piece of paper and seal it an envelope (helpful if the couple brings their own paper and envelope).
Afterwards, they take the envelope to the bakery and ask them to make either a pink or a blue cake, depending on what is inside the envelope. The cake is frosted so no one can tell what color the final product is. Then the couple throws a party where they cut the cake in front of all their friends and family and everyone, including the mother- and father-to-be, find out at the same time whether the new baby is a boy (blue cake) or a girl (pink cake).
Awesome idea, right???
I first heard of these new parties about three months ago, so when my younger sister told me she was expecting a month later I jumped all over the opportunity to throw her her own Gender Reveal Party. Here are a few pics from the event, held on Labor Day:
The yellow little ducky cake quietly held the fate of my sister’s future inside his cute little body. We did very simple decorations—a banner, pink and blue dining wear and candies, etc.
Will it be a “He” or a “She”?
We had everyone at the party (and a few people via Skype) vote on what they thought the gender was going to be. I have seen all kinds of cute variations of this using chalkboards, cute cutouts, etc. I have also heard of people asking their guests to wear either blue or pink to the party, depending on their guess.
And
it’s a … boy!!! Boy #2 for the sweet Bowers family. Congrats. I
love how dark blue they made the inside, so there was no mistaking
what the gender was. Very dramatic.
CONGRATS!!!!
I love how dark blue they made the inside, so there was no mistaking what the gender was. Very dramatic. Other Ways to Reveal the Sex of the Baby: Of course, there are as many ways to reveal the gender of your baby as there areall kinds of cake. I’ve heard of people using cupcakes instead of cakes so each of the guests can bite into them simultaneously. I’ve also heard of a couple purchasing a boy and girl’s baby outfit, taking them to the register with THE envelope, and telling the cashier to wrap up the appropriate outfit for them to open later. Or you can have blue or pink balloons boxed and release them in the air. Get creative with it …
Cute Decorating Ideas: I am definitely not an expert on decorating (I call my party a success if the plates and napkins match) but if that’s your thing, obviously the Gender Reveal Party is a great space to showcase your talents. If you want ideas, just type “Gender Reveal” into Pinterest and you’ll be flooded with too many to count. I’ve also seen some really cute invites and decorations listed for sale on Etsy.
Here are a couple fun ones: “Blue and Pink: What Do You Think?” (http://www.etsy.com/listing/104397916/printable-blue-or-pink-gender-reveal?ref=sr_gallery_2&sref=sr_485b54beb0d138946d258960b09cbe01ce54305c6d618762be613c888500df86_1346792391_14338244_party_package&ga_search_query=gender+reveal+party+package&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_page=1&ga_search_type=all) “What Will The New Baby BEE?” (With Bee-themed décor) (http://www.etsy.com/listing/104275520/printable-what-will-it-bee-genderreveal?ref=sr_gallery_35&ga_search_query=gender+reveal+party+&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=all) “Beau or Bow?” (http://www.etsy.com/listing/98685596/gender-reveal-party-bundle-pack-number-2?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=gender+reveal+party+beau+or+bow&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=all)
See a Party in Action: If you are more of a visual person, you can search for “Gender Reveal Party” on YouTube and see some really fun, cute, and even tear-jerking videos of couples cutting the cake together for the second time in their marriage. Here is one of my favorites, which was shown on “Good Morning America.” The couple already has two boys and is expecting their third, and final, child: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UUgZFviPSo In conclusion, the Gender Reveal Party is a fantastic way to find out the sex of your baby and include your loved ones in that exciting moment. Like any party, it can be as simple or elaborate as you want it, and the most important element is just to have fun and get ready to be surprised!
