Gender Reveal Gift?

[anniemae]

I'm surprised at how many posters say "no gift" - I can't imagine showing up to a party that's celebrating a new child and likely serving me some food/drink I'm arriving empty-handed?

My understanding is a lot of people that have gender reveals do not have baby showers. Some do. But I think a lot of gender reveals are in place of that. Whether or not one agrees with the idea of the gender reveal in the first place, I think if one does attend, it calls for a gift and it's not difficult to bring a simple gender-neutral gift. Anything from diapers to books to clothing.

On a related note, if no gift is, in reality, the attendee's way of (passive aggressively?) asserting that they think gender reveals are stupid, or they don't support the idea and want to assert some snarkiness in there - then best not to attend? They may look bad to you for having a gender reveal, but how bad does it look to show up to an expectant couple's party with nothing?

I don't know what the protocol is, but I would most likely not attend. If I were to attend though I would probably bring something for the parents since the baby shower is for baby gifts. I may bring something like a picture frame or a nice candle or some chocolates. If they were doing a shower/GR combo, then I would just look at it as a shower and bring a baby gift.

I don't think attending without a gift is a way to say GR are stupid. I think these parties are relatively new, so many people probably don't know the protocol. I think it's fine to show up with no gift since the point of it is to gather with loved ones during a special moment.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I'm surprised at how many posters say "no gift" - I can't imagine showing up to a party that's celebrating a new child and likely serving me some food/drink I'm arriving empty-handed?

My understanding is a lot of people that have gender reveals do not have baby showers. Some do. But I think a lot of gender reveals are in place of that. Whether or not one agrees with the idea of the gender reveal in the first place, I think if one does attend, it calls for a gift and it's not difficult to bring a simple gender-neutral gift. Anything from diapers to books to clothing.

On a related note, if no gift is, in reality, the attendee's way of (passive aggressively?) asserting that they think gender reveals are stupid, or they don't support the idea and want to assert some snarkiness in there - then best not to attend? They may look bad to you for having a gender reveal, but how bad does it look to show up to an expectant couple's party with nothing?

I was invited to a party and I can chose to go or not. I do not bring gifts to every party I am invited. If this is someone I am close to they will receive a baby gift whether they have a shower or not. Actually a nicer gift if I don’t have to attend the shower.

 

[slo]

My daughter's girlfriend is having a Gender Reveal Party at a local park in a few weeks.
We've never been to one, but have attended lots of baby showers.

Do you bring a gift to the party?
I'm guessing its pretty informal with no printed invitation.

When my DD23 had her gender reveal party she did get some gifts - it was like 50/50 in regards to who gave a gift and who didn’t.

My gift was the custom blue cake that cost me $75. I’m not a big fan of gender reveal parties, but the pictures of DD & her husband cutting into the cake are fun. It’s a good memory for them.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I think we will be seeing a plethora of zombie threads in the future.

 

[lockets]

I agree with the last few posts... There are nuances going on... Like attending without a gift because a separate baby shower is anticipated, or because the invitee is so close to the couple they will eventually get them something no matter what, etc.

I also don't give a gift at every party I'm invited to, but I only apply that to, say, a co-worker's office birthday party or a friend's birthday get together where we chip in for their meal. Anything involving a baby, though, I'd likely give something even if it's just a token.

I understand why reveals have such a stigma so I'm not knocking anyone's opinion that they are ridiculous - from the one-upping each other on instagram to the actual firestarters (!) to the vibe of gender mattering so much when, above all else, a healthy baby is more important than a specific gender IMHO.

People in my fam have stated outright they think it's a ridiculous/stupid concept and don't attend them. My thoughts have always been from a marketing standpoint - like wow - these people created a whole extra segment that will now be sold and marketed to - does it ever end?!

On the other hand, there are siutations where there isn't a female family member/friend volunteering to throw a baby shower at all. Or enough women in a family to sit around a circle and open gifts with. It sounds bleak and is likely uncommon, but happens. One of the upsides of the reveal parties is at least men and the father can join. Even though many don't want to haha!

Personally I cannot imagine having a gender reveal and separate baby shower. Having two parties for one conception seems like overkill. Maybe that's another reason people don't like reveals or bring gifts to them. They feel like it's an "extra" thing to attend and save the energy for the shower. This survey by wedding bee dot com was enlightening. It's really "all over the place" these days! I had no idea you can combine it, or that a quarter of people turned one pregnancy into two parties.

Baby shower only- 40%
Combined baby shower and gender reveal party- 33%
Separate baby shower and gender reveal party- 25%
Gender reveal party only- 2%

 

[GoingSince1990]

Based on what I have read about these gender reveal parties (fortunately I have never been invited to one), suitable gifts would include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.

 

[LovesTimone]

If you feel you need to bring a gift... diapers, baby wash, baby shampoo... are they registered somewhere, something neutral in color if you go with clothing, maybe some cute bibs...

For me personally one nice gift at one shower is plenty....

 

[PAsFab5]

I think gender reveals are ridiculous and to be honest my preference is a surprise at birth, I think it’s just so much fun! It was for us at least.

But, nobody who has invited me to a gender reveal party has asked my opinion. So I go and say Congrats and eat snacks.

I have a standard gender reveal gift I buy for everyone, off Amazon, it’s a week by week journal for the parents to write down notes on the pregnancy and scripture to go with each week.

The gender reveals I have attended, every guest brings a gift.

 

[tcufrog]

Social norms.

The way we dress boys and girls has changed over the years. Blue used to be the girl's color because of the Virgin Mary and red/pink was considered a more masculine color. All babies used to wear dresses in certain classes of society.

 

[goofyernmost]

Yet another way to suck money from friends and family. Is there no shame anymore?

 

[TLSnell1981]

I googled and this popped up..

What To Bring To A Gender Reveal Party
Because gender reveal parties are so new, the exact rules and expectations for the event are still unsure. However, you should always air on the side of respect and care. For that reason, always bring a congratulations card, anything the couple has specifically requested, and if possible, a gift.

Do You Bring A Gift To A Gender Reveal Party?​

In short, yes. You should bring a gift, even if it’s small or just a heartfelt card, to a gender reveal party. Because these parties are held earlier in the pregnancy, the presents will likely differ from that of a baby shower. You can gift maternity clothes, cute parent swag for the expecting couple, or anything that will help during the pregnancy. If the parents request no gifts, you should instead write a handwritten note with your congratulations.

 

[HopperFan]

I think we will be seeing a plethora of zombie threads in the future.

It seems to happen every time the forum has maintenance/changes. Probably because of the new SIMILAR THREAD spot below. Of the five I presently see, Current, May 2021, Jan 2020, Current, Sept 2021. I think it is the instigator.

 

[Dan Murphy]

It seems to happen every time the forum has maintenance/changes. Probably because of the new SIMILAR THREAD spot below. Of the five I presently see, Current, May 2021, Jan 2020, Current, Sept 2021. I think it is the instigator.

It will bring a lot of zombies, for sure.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Surely the baby has been born by now?