Gender Reveal Party Planning 101: All Your Questions Answered

Welcome, future parents! Today, we’re talking about a trend that has recently “exploded” in popularity – gender reveal parties! These parties are usually awesome (unless dangerous explosives are actually involved 🙂 )

But don’t worry, we’ll help you avoid becoming the stars of the next “gender reveal gone wrong” viral video. After all, we’re here to celebrate, not to make the 5 o’clock news.

So, what exactly is a gender reveal party? And why is everyone so happy about them? Well, they are usually special events where parents-to-be gather their nearest and dearest to reveal the gender of their future child.

Usually, the celebration happens in the second trimester, because this is when the gender test is available. You can use non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), chorionic villus sampling (CVS), amniocentesis, or a reliable ultrasound to reveal your baby’s gender.

Without further ado, let’s go through gender reveal party planning 101 to explore ways you can make your party an absolute blast (in a fun way, not a fireworks way!)

Setting the Date

When it comes to planning a gender reveal party, picking the perfect date is crucial. But, it’s actually a bit tougher than it sounds.

You want to make sure your baby is healthy and you know their correct sex. But, you don’t want to wait so long that you’re out of your second-trimester bliss and into the third-trimester “get that baby out of me” phase.

Although today’s medical technology is very reliable, there is still a small chance of gender mixing, even at the 20-week mark (although it is rare). By allowing a little extra time between getting your test results and hosting your party, you minimize the possibility of any last-minute surprises.

Therefore, most parents host their gender reveal parties in the mid to late second trimester. This ensures that mom still feels comfortable, and that the baby’s gender is a sure thing.

So, if you can keep your baby’s gender a secret until the middle of your second trimester (and we know how hard it is), consider postponing your party until this stage.

Choosing a Theme

Now, let’s talk about one of the most important parts of gender reveal planning: choosing a theme!

There’s no hard and fast rule that says your gender reveal theme has to match your baby shower theme. However, if you are someone who thrives on meticulous planning and likes to keep things organized, feel free to choose the corresponding themes.

So, how do you choose the perfect gender reveal theme? Well, it’s quite simple – choose something that fits your style and preferences.

Need some ideas to get the ball rolling? Consider something fun and creative, like a “Wild West” theme, with banners that say “Cowboy or Cowgirl?”. You can also decorate the area with fun Western decorations like pink and blue scarves.

Or, for a magical twist, consider a “Harry Potter” theme. You can hang banners that say “Harry or Hermione?” and use the famous sorting hat to reveal your child’s gender.

If you want more awesome theme ideas, check out this article. We provide many creative options that will reflect the conversation of your gender.

Sending Invitations

Now, let’s move on to the next item on your gender reveal planning checklist: sending invitations.

You can opt for digital invitations or paper invitations, depending on your preferences. Digital invitations are usually free, which can be a lifesaver when you’re saving up for your little bundle. Plus, they have online RSVPS, which makes keeping track of your guest list easy.

Paper invitations are classy but expensive. Plus, they’re time-consuming, because you have to ask your entire guest list for their addresses.

If you’re going the digital invitation route, WebBabyShower allows you to send online invitations via a share-anywhere mobile link and via email. So, if you don’t have some visitors’ emails, you can just text them the link. It’s easy, right?

To give your loved ones enough time to RSVP, aim to send your invitations four to six weeks before the event. This will give them plenty of time to clear their calendars for your gender reveal bash.

Menu Planning

Now, on to the best part of planning the gender reveal – the menu. The key here is to make sure your menu matches your theme and the time of day you’re having the party.

Remember, the actual “gender reveal” at your party will go by quickly. So, when it’s over, it’s a good idea to have at least a few basic food offerings on deck to keep your guests going for a while. Think finger foods, appetizers, and other easy bites.

If you want a casual vibe, consider doing something lowkey like a cookout. This is an easy house party idea, where everyone can pile their plate high with simple goodies, like hamburgers and potato salad.

Make sure you have plenty of pregnancy-safe food options for moms-to-be, like pickle bars, gender-reveal deviled eggs, or mini taco cups. If you’re looking for pregnancy-safe food inspiration, check out our article for some delicious ideas.

Games and Activities

As we mentioned before, the big gender reveal moment happens in the blink of an eye. So, having some gender reveal games planned is a great way to break the ice and keep your guests entertained.

There are lots of fun games you can incorporate into your gender reveal. For example, there’s the baby block tower, where you paint Jenga blocks pink and blue, stack them high, and play until the tower collapses.

Or, you can try balloon darts, where guests throw darts at pop balloons filled with confetti that match your baby’s gender.

Another fun one is the baby gender relay race, where guests compete in baby-themed challenges, until one team reigns supreme.

The Big Reveal

You have many options for the “big reveal” moment. Try the classic balloon pop, where pink or blue confetti releases the secret. If you’re into sweets, go for a cupcake reveal, where the color inside reveals your baby’s gender. Or, have guests whip out a piñata filled with pink or blue candies. If you’re thinking of an explosion, stick with a smoke bomb – no one can tell at night.

Be sure to assign a friend who is on photo and video duty to capture the big moment. Trust us, you’ll want to relive it again and again. If you want more creative gender reveal ideas, check out our updated list for 2023.

Party Favors

Party favors are the icing on your gender reveal party cake. They are the perfect little token of appreciation for your wonderful guests. For superhosts, they are an absolute must!

You can keep it simple with personalized cookies, mini succulents, or even a funny “I survived [Your Name]Gender Reveal fridge magnets by. They can be as creative and quirky as you are, so don’t hold back. For some popular party favor ideas, check out this article.

Virtual Gender Reveal Option

Can’t everyone be gathered in person? No problem! Consider throwing a virtual gender reveal party instead.

Not to blow your horn, but Webbabyshower.com has been called the #1 platform for hosting virtual baby showers because of all of our awesome features, including:

• Personalized website
• Integrated group video calls with screen capture feature
• Guest messaging tools
• Photo and video uploads
• Built-in games for easy hosting
• Creative invitations to match your theme
• Unlimited RSVP tracking
• Etc!

With WebBabyShower, you get access to your personalized website for 6 months (or more) depending on the plan you choose, meaning you’ll have plenty of time to host your gender reveal party and baby shower. Even better, after you sign up, your entire contact list is in the app, making it easy to keep guests updated on important information, like when your baby registry is ready.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, planning a gender reveal requires you to pick a date, pick a theme, send out invitations, plan a menu, decide on games, and choose party favors. And, of course, decide how you’re going to make your big reveal!

Whether it’s in person or through the convenience of the WebBabyShower, gender reveal parties add love and excitement to your parenting journey. Hopefully, our party planning 101 guide will help your celebration go off without a hitch!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can a gender reveal party be included in the baby shower?

Absolutely! Just make it a two-in-one celebration where the baby shower takes center stage for most of the gathering, while the gender reveal adds a fun twist towards the end. For more details on how to mix these two celebrations, see this article.

Q2. What if the ultrasound results are inconclusive?

If the ultrasound results are inconclusive, don’t worry. You can still plan a gender reveal party and use additional testing to find out your baby’s gender, such as NIPT or CVS. Or, you could host a “gender guessing” party instead, where loved ones make their guesses and don’t find out who’s right until the baby is born.

Q3. Must have party games?

Yes, having party games is a good idea because they serve as icebreakers and add a fun element to the gender reveal. For some exciting game ideas, be sure to check out our list of gender reveal games for inspiration.