Gender Reveal Parties What the Hell???

I am not annoyed? I knew that already. Still love it.

Did you? Sorry
Just to annoy you further -Halloween originates in Ireland and Scotland

I compared Halloween to Thanksgiving.

www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/society-and-culture/why-gender-reveal-party-fire-gone-wrong-explosion-meme

According to this, and other sources, it started in 2008. And snowballed

Norah

Our daughters didn't have OTT hen or reveal or baby shower parties. Nor did I. When did all this begin and more important, why?

It’s only quite recent (the gender reveal stuff) About 15 years or so.
It started with the coloured cake as I said earlier.
imaround it’s not really ‘cultural’.
It’s not comparable to Thanksgiving

Norah The vast majority of people don't. A few people do it and then it is hyped up in the media.

Our daughters didn't have OTT hen or reveal or baby shower parties. Nor did I. When did all this begin and more important, why?

This really is about cultural differences. I am sure that you all celebrate things us Americans would fond unusual. That being said, there are a LOT of people in the US that think gender reveal parties are a crock of sh!t. Even the woman who created th said they need to go away.

Step away from my Halloween though! Scary movies all month long, decorating the yard and handing out candy to cute kids in costumes.

And nothing is better then American Thanksgiving. Spending the day with family and friends. Eating the traditional fare. I already can't wait.

What if the parents discover the child is not the sex they wanted, and this does happen, or possibly, that it had some problems and might be born disabled? Do you cancel the party?

I knew what all of mine were at the halfway mark of pregnancy. I'd never have done a reveal party though. I just told people who wanted to know.

I never knew what sex any of my 3 DC were, I only ever had one quick grainy scan with the third. My DS & his wife didn’t want to know with theirs and both were a lovely surprise. My DD’s both found out but didn’t have a reveal party or a baby shower for any of them. It all seems to have really taken off in the last few years. My daughter went to a baby shower a few months ago and the mum to be and the grandma (her own mum) had spent a fortune on the venue, the buffet, outfits, hair, makeup, nails etc. The next time my DD met up with her friend she was moaning about not having enough money to get all the baby stuff she wanted!!!

Like the OTT hen & stag do’s, reveal & baby shower parties are not my idea of fun but maybe I’m just getting to be a grumpy old woman Each to their own as they say, it does seems to be the norm now.

Regarding prams, yes my mum brought mine too & it was kept up on the top floor of the shop until my first baby was safely here, my DH picked it up while I was still in hospital, lovely big bouncy pram, all my babies slept like logs when they were out in it. I walked for miles with it over the first few months.

Hithere

Maryl

Some events are for parents to enjoy their firsts with their child - xmas, halloween, bday, etc

They are. I remember my son's first birthday. I was so excited that I bought balloons with his name and a giant 1 on them, and took them to the playgroup he went to, with cake. The more experienced parents looked askance, but he was my first, so I thought they were being miserable and pressed on cheerfully.

Within minutes it was like the Somme . Balloons bursting, babies crying, toddlers screaming, mums frantically gathering up burst balloons before the little ones ate them. Obviously my son had no idea he was one, and was oblivious throughout.

I'd know better now, but I'm in no position to criticise anyone wanting to do inappropriate things supposedly for their babies.

Maryl

Some events are for parents to enjoy their firsts with their child - xmas, halloween, bday, etc

I love your replies. Some of you are right about the plastic Halloween tat in the shops, To add to my original post in another local group a girl was looking for Halloween events locally for her 7 month old baby as she didn't want them to miss out. How the hell would a baby even know where it was let alone about Halloween. Am I living on another planet or are babies now being born with the knowledge about birthdays, Halloween, Christmas etc.

Baby showers and gender reveal parties just seem a bit "Kardashian" and grabby to me

Doodledog

I think there are a few issues going on here.

There is no need to bring plastic tat to a 'reveal' party. If people want to bring presents they could just as easily be sustainable ones.

I do think that they drag out the celebrations though. Just as people getting married now will often encompass an engagement party, expensive stag and hen trips abroad and then a huge wedding, having a baby is taking on the same sort of thing, with a 'reveal' and a shower before the baby's even born. All well and good if you can afford it, but extra pressure for those who can't, and it all seems a bit 'me me me'. (for me, at least ).

Then there's the whole 'gender' thing. It's the sex of the baby that is being revealed - why are people calling it a 'gender reveal? Whether you go in for the so-called 'gender' thing or not, can an unborn child really have a gender?

But, the bottom line is that it's up to the parents. I understand the excitement, and that the grandparents to be will be excited too. A family 'reveal' is a different thing from a big party, IMO.

There is no need to bring plastic tat to a 'reveal' party. If people want to bring presents they could just as easily be sustainable ones.

It isn't just about the 'reveal' parties or baby showers.

Stag and Hen do's, Halloween, Christmas... all have costumes and accessories, some sold by the largest retailers, containing plastic; disposable cups, glasses, plates, etc. The list of 'must-haves' is endless. All these events are being exploited for commercial gain.

Fortunately, there's a growing number of people who are reverting to the more traditional way of celebrating these events - starting by making their own costumes, and even assembling their own Christmas decorations (and I don't mean paper-chains from the 40s and 50s).

A family 'reveal' is a different thing from a big party, IMO.

It is. Very much so.

Doodledog

If so-called 'gender' is all about feelings and what you 'know inside', shouldn't these be sex-reveal parties?

Either way, it's not my bag either, but yes, each to her own.

That’s just what I was thinking. Though maybe sex reveal parties could give the wrong message…

I think there are a few issues going on here.

There is no need to bring plastic tat to a 'reveal' party. If people want to bring presents they could just as easily be sustainable ones.

I do think that they drag out the celebrations though. Just as people getting married now will often encompass an engagement party, expensive stag and hen trips abroad and then a huge wedding, having a baby is taking on the same sort of thing, with a 'reveal' and a shower before the baby's even born. All well and good if you can afford it, but extra pressure for those who can't, and it all seems a bit 'me me me'. (for me, at least ).

Then there's the whole 'gender' thing. It's the sex of the baby that is being revealed - why are people calling it a 'gender reveal? Whether you go in for the so-called 'gender' thing or not, can an unborn child really have a gender?

But, the bottom line is that it's up to the parents. I understand the excitement, and that the grandparents to be will be excited too. A family 'reveal' is a different thing from a big party, IMO.

VioletSky

Plastic tatt is everywhere.

Lots of sustainable ways to do everything

So probably better to fight the tatt rather than what others celebrate

In theory, you are right.

The reality is that more money is made by selling this tatt.

So the industry will find ever more events to 'celebrate'.

And we can continue to dump the plastic on Turkey, Malaysia and Poland.

Some of the plastic ending up in southern Turkey is burned releasing large amounts of carcinogenic chemicals that pollute the soil and food sources for animals.

There is a lack of legal regulation and in Turkey the amount of imported waste is becoming impossible to handle.

At some point, you do have to question the ethics, and the gullibility and culpability of those who are drawn into this ever-expanding culture.

People should, at least, be aware.

I don't mind either way if people choose to know the sex of their child in advance. I have been to a baby shower where the sex was revealed (my grandson), and to see the tears in my son's eyes as it made it even more real to him was a joy. I think my DIL already knew. I also love the fact that baby showers are now not just ladies getting together, but couples.

A reason to celebrate in anticipation of a new family arrival isn't a bad thing, in my eyes. I'm not one for over-the-top parties, but each to his own.

I dislike the idea of gender reveal parties, and would try my best not to go to one, but each to his own.

I’m still miffed I never had an engagement party, my parents were not impressed with my choice of fiancé. 2 weeks tomorrow we will have been married 51 years !

I remember the superstition about the pram.When we bought a pram for our first baby the shop kept it in their warehouse until baby and I were safely home from hospital.I used the same pram for our second baby, it was kept in the house!

LilyoftheValley

Dreadful American idea - along with baby showers. Will we be having any Trying for a baby tonight! Showers I wonder?

I am laughing at this, 'Trying for a baby tonight party' it will most likely mean one big orgy.

I live in the states and I, too, think this is ridiculous. However, this is a new generation, no doubt, and they will call their own parties for reasons that baffle the elders. At least they are having harmless fun.