So, you’re pregnant, and you want to throw a gender reveal party! What a great way to celebrate with your loved ones. But when is the best time to have it?
If you’re wondering about that, we know how much its timing can really affect how much fun it’ll be, so we’ve put together some of the most important things to consider before planning for it.
After reading this article, you won’t wonder anymore – just throw a great gender reveal party!
The Short Answer
Ideally, you should schedule your gender reveal party around the time of your mid-pregnancy ultrasound (around week 20). This is the ultrasound technician’s chance to tell you whether you’re expecting a boy or a girl, and it makes for a perfect opportunity to announce the news to your guests.
Now, let’s go a step further and explore some of the other factors you should consider when planning your party.
Timing is Everything
When you’re thinking about when to have a gender reveal party, the timing is more important than you initially thought! You’ll want to consider the following things.
Best Time of Week for a Gender Reveal Party
Generally, the best time to have a gender reveal party is during the weekend. This is because not only do many people have Saturdays and Sundays off work, but they’re also days when people are usually more relaxed and have more time to spare.
Saturday is typically the best option. This allows guests ample time to schedule their lives around attending, and it gives you and your guests a day to just relax after the party. Weekday evenings may also be an option if most of your guests don’t work traditional Monday-Friday jobs.
You may want to avoid scheduling your party on Friday evenings, though, as this is typically when people are rushing home from work or school for the weekend. Also, keep in mind that many people don’t particularly enjoy staying up too late into the night, so an evening party may not be as much fun.
You’ll also want to avoid scheduling your party during holidays. Many people will be busy celebrating with their families, so they may not be able to attend your party.
What Comes First, a Gender Reveal or Baby Shower?
Usually, the gender reveal party happens first.
A baby shower is typically thrown for a pregnant woman who already knows the gender of her child and is expected to deliver within 6-8 weeks. In contrast, a gender reveal party takes place after the baby’s gender has been revealed to the parents but long before the child is born, so it happens earlier on in the pregnancy.
However, some people choose to have their baby shower first and then have their gender reveal party. This allows guests to give gifts for the new baby without knowing the child’s gender. It highly depends on personal preference.
Do You Have Both a Gender Reveal and Baby Shower?
Why not? If you’re planning both a gender reveal party and a baby shower, you don’t have to choose one over another. Celebrate both!
Many couples choose to have both a baby shower and a gender reveal party to celebrate the upcoming arrival of their child. This gives guests two opportunities to celebrate the new baby and may be especially convenient if most of them can’t attend both events.
If you choose to have a baby shower and a gender reveal party, make sure that the two events are scheduled far enough apart that guests don’t feel overwhelmed with celebrating your new arrival. Six to eight weeks apart is often a good timeframe to ensure that your happy events don’t overlap.
A good idea is also sometimes a joint gender reveal and baby shower if you want to minimize the work and expense involved in planning the events.
Do the Parents Know the Gender at a Gender Reveal Party?
Traditionally, the parents don’t know the gender of their child before the party and choose to keep the gender a surprise for themselves until the reveal party so that they can be as surprised as the guests.
They may do this by using a sealed envelope that they give to the ultrasound technician or midwife before the gender reveal ultrasound. The technician or midwife doesn’t tell them what the gender is and hands over an envelope containing a gender label that’s then opened during the party.
However, this isn’t always the case. Other couples may choose to have a gender reveal ultrasound before the party so that they know what their baby’s gender is already. They can then use this knowledge to plan out fun activities for the rest of the guests at the party, making everyone feel involved and excited about the little bundle of joy that’s soon to arrive.
Either way, it’s up to you and your partner as to when and how you want to find out the gender of your child.
When to Have a Gender Reveal Ultrasound (How Far in Pregnancy)
The ideal time to have a gender reveal ultrasound is around 18 to 21 weeks. This is when ultrasounds are more accurate in determining a baby’s gender, and you have time to plan out a surprise party with your loved ones.
At this point in the pregnancy, a mother will be past her first trimester but not too far along where she might give birth before the party takes place. It also gives family and friends plenty of time to travel and arrange schedules so they can be there for the important event.
Summary and Recap
So, when should you have a gender reveal party? It really depends on your personal preference and what comes first, the baby shower or the gender reveal party. You can also choose to have both!
Yet, in general, the ideal time for a gender reveal ultrasound is around 18 to 21 weeks (20, ideally), and that’s when you’ll be able to have the most accurate ultrasound. This gives you plenty of time to plan everything out and make sure your guests can attend.