There's a lot of planning that goes into a gender reveal party. You have to consider the decor, the type of reveal products you're going to use and where to host the event. One thing that many people don't consider, at least initially, is the best time and day for the gender reveal party to take place. Hold it too early or late, and many people won't be able to come. The same concept applies to hosting the event during the middle of the week. Whether the party is for you or a loved one, focus on the most convenient days and times.
When To Have Your Gender Reveal Party?
Weekends Reign Supreme
When you think of any kind of party, you often think of weekends — that is, Saturday or Sunday. Many people are off on at least one of these two days, so it makes it easier for them to attend. When you want to be surrounded by your closest friends and family members, it makes sense to schedule the event on a weekend.
Hosting a party on a weekend gives you plenty of time to plan, and you'll have a lot more selections when it comes to venue choices. Consider parks and pavilions, because you'll want an outdoor venue if you're using reveal products with powder explosions or gender reveal confetti cannons.
What about Fridays? Sometimes gatherings are possible on Friday evenings after work, depending on the schedule, but you'll want time to plan and there's one other thing to consider.
Daylight Hours Are Better
Why daylight? Two important reasons: first, people generally have more availability during the day. Those who want to go out on dates or to socialize tend to make plans at night and that can leave little time to attend a party, especially if it's not planned out ahead of time.
Second, you can see the results much more clearly during daytime hours. Many gender reveal products release a powder that would be hard to see after sundown. Even the biggest explosions can leave you wondering what color is raining down on you, which takes away from the surprise element. Even if you install bright lights, the impact isn't nearly the same, so opt for daytime hours whenever possible to enhance your gender reveal party.
Consider a Brunch Date
Brunch is a great time to hold the party. You can make it a complete event with breakfast and lunch foods as well as mimosas — plain orange juice for the mom-to-be, of course! Since brunch typically occurs between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm, it's ideal for many people who may have nighttime plans.
If you're renting a venue for the event, brunch hours tend to be cheaper than afternoon or evening as well, since these timeframes are often more in demand. So not only is there the bonus of having more friends and family likely available, but you won't have to spend as much, either.
Couples Events
If you're not hosting a full-on party, and you just want to do a simple gender reveal for you and your partner, you're not limited to a specific schedule. You can share the details with a trusted family member or friend and have them order you the appropriate products based on whether you're having a baby boy or girl. You can choose to do the reveal at any time.
Set up a camera in your backyard, or take a walk to the local park and have someone ready to take pictures. You can do a balloon or colorful explosion reveal, depending on your preferences. Keeping it between the two of you makes it intimate, and it doesn't mean that you can't hold a party in the future.
Planning Ahead
Unless you're doing the aforementioned couples-only reveal, you'll want to put some planning into the event, especially if there are special people you want in attendance. Choose a venue first so you can see which days are available, then coordinate with friends and family to see if the date works for them. Ultimately, you're not going to be able to satisfy everyone, so keep this in mind.
Make sure you stock up on the "It's a Boy!" or "It's a Girl!" products to have enough to go around. Even if you're kept in the dark, you can still buy the decorations and themed supplies to make it a colorful event. Combine the two elements and you'll have the winning recipe for a great celebration of your upcoming bundle of joy, no matter what time or day you decide to hold it.
FAQs
The perfect moment for a gender reveal party is during the second trimester, 18-20 weeks after the mid-pregnancy ultrasound. This is when you can start exploring various baby gender reveal party ideas to make the event memorable.
What time of day to do a gender reveal? ›
Late afternoon or early evening can offer the perfect lighting, especially for outdoor reveals.
How early do people have gender reveal parties? ›
We also need to understand how soon we can have that information, and how far in advance we should start planning our celebration. Many expectant parents find that the most appropriate time to do a gender reveal is between 18 and 20 weeks.
Who pays for a gender reveal party? ›
So, it's time to answer the question: Who should pay for a gender reveal party? It's the parents—that's the major consensus in forums online.
Which week of pregnancy is best for gender reveal? ›
Many pregnant women find out their baby's sex (if they choose to know) during their mid-pregnancy ultrasound, which is usually done between 18 and 22 weeks. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create pictures of your baby, and the technician will be able to tell your baby's sex by looking at their genitals.
What is the etiquette for gender reveal parties? ›
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 give gifts during gender reveal? ›
Bringing a gift for a gender reveal is not a requirement, but it is a wonderful gesture to celebrate the soon-to-be new addition to the family. It's like the pre-party to the main event, where you get to shower the expecting parents with all the love, and maybe a little something special to welcome baby with open arms.
Who plans the gender reveal party? ›
It's up to the parents! If you want to find out your baby's sex at the same time as your guests, simply ask your practitioner to write "boy" or "girl" in a sealed envelope, and ask someone else to organize the gender reveal moment.
Do men go to gender reveal parties? ›
Primarily, the focus on gender reveal parties is the fetus' sex, while baby showers focus on the giving of supplies and items for the future infant to expectant parents. Traditionally, baby showers are for women only, while gender reveal parties have no inherently-associated gender restriction.
Who should be at a gender reveal party? ›
In addition to inviting family, many of us will want to share the news with our friends. This might include close childhood friends, friends from work, or neighbors who we simply want to share the good news with.
Typically, a gender reveal party ranges anywhere from $250 to $1,000 and more. It mainly depends on the theme you're going for and the extent of the event.
Do you serve food at a gender reveal? ›
Savor an array of finger foods at a gender reveal party
Or indulge your sweet tooth with an array of cakes, desserts, or candies. You can also enjoy wholesome snacks like fruit and health bars, or some pickles, or crackers and cheese.
Who knows the gender for a gender reveal party? ›
Often neither parent knows the sex of the baby, and this information is only known by a trusted friend or family member called a "gender guardian". In this situation, both of the parents get to share in the excitement of the gender reveal with their guests.
What time should a gender reveal start? ›
The perfect moment for a gender reveal party is during the second trimester, 18-20 weeks after the mid-pregnancy ultrasound. This is when you can start exploring various baby gender reveal party ideas to make the event memorable.
Is 12 weeks too early for a gender reveal party? ›
However, we didn't rush out to buy pink clothes and paint for the nursery. The MFM said while ultrasound was 90 percent accurate in predicting gender at 12 weeks, and she and the sonographer were fairly confident in their prediction, we should wait until our 20-week anatomy ultrasound to be sure.
Do you play games at a gender reveal? ›
Games for gender reveal parties not only make your gathering more lively, but they also kick-start the party and help guests get to know one another better. Not to mention, these games amp up the anticipation before the gender reveal occurs (or keep the good vibes going after it's done).
How many weeks do you have to be before you find out the gender? ›
By week 14, a baby's gender may be revealed via ultrasound. However, an ultrasound technician might have difficulty distinguishing between a boy or a girl at this point. Doctors generally recommend waiting until weeks 19-20 to have your anatomy scan ultrasound in order to show the correct gender.
How to do a gender reveal the same day? ›
One of the more exciting last-minute gender reveal ideas consists of using water bottles and mystery packets with the color pink for a little girl or color blue for a little boy. Once the packet is poured into the water, the color changes, and ta-da — the gender is revealed!
How long before birth is a gender reveal? ›
Since an ultrasound creates an image of your baby, it can also reveal the sex of your baby. Most doctors schedule an ultrasound at around 18 to 21 weeks, but the sex may be determined by ultrasound as early as 14 weeks .
