to think the world does not need 'gender reveal parties'?

[dreamingbohemian]

My cousin, clearly the first woman in the world to ever give birth , has just had something called a gender reveal party.

They went for the scan, then had friends and family around, ramped up the suspense for a couple hours, then she opened a big box of balloons that were.... pink! It's a girl! Awwww.

AIBU to think this is the wankiest thing ever? Or am I a joyless hag?

My family think it's cute so I need you nest of vipers lot to restore my faith in humanity.

[CabbageLeaves]

I was expecting an online dating game where you all met up and were naked under a big cape or something. Cape lifted and voila!

[CabbageLeaves]

Probably should reward rest of thread now...

[CabbageLeaves]

Read. Doh

[CabbageLeaves]

at visualise's contribution

[weegiemum]

This must be a new thing?

My dc are 13,11,9.

We didn't know before thy were born, it didn't even cross my mind to ask!

What's the big deal? We managed to decorate a bedroom (not a "nursery" fgs) and buy some essential bits before dd1 was born.

There seems to be a real gender obsession now. Aren't you happy enough to be having a baby?

And the announcements (by my dh) ago the delivery are some of my most precious memories!

[FreedomOfTheTess]

Yes it's wanky. Very wanky.

As my mum is of the American persuasion, that side of my family are (mainly) in the US, but I only know of one of my family members having a gender reveal party.

One of my cousins was the "offender" and she really went to town (I saw the pics). Her and her husband put together a little video presentation (I kid you not!) for the big "IT'S A GIRL" reveal.

The day of birth arrived.

She had a boy.

Oh how I laughed.

[ShabbyChit]

Its such an American thing. Bit over here.
I think Americans use any holiday or event in their life to have a party really, I'm currently addicted to pinterest and find it odd that so many people buy or make valentines gifts for all of the DC school friends, they have whole menus and outfits planned for St Patricks day, decorate the whole house for 'Fall' and 4th July.
They just seem to celebrate all these events more over here than we do.

I think I could just about handle a baby shower over here in the UK but a gender reveal is a bit twee/tacky to me!

[dreamingbohemian]

Oh god yes, Fall decorations.

Advanced Level Wankiness

4th of July, okay, patriotism, rah rah rah, but Fall??? Craziness.

Btw I'm loving all these stories about people who had parties and then had a different sex. What more proof do you need of karma!

[AmandaPayneAteTooMuchChocolate]

I think the issue I have with these parties is the same issue I have with most enforced gatherings.

The parents-to-be may feel that it is a lovely excuse for a party with their nearest and dearest. The problem is, there is probably only a small overlap between their nearest and dearest and my nearest and dearest.

So from my perspective I get to spend an afternoon making small talk and in the seventh circle of hell that is playing party games with your cousin, your old university friend and your best mate from work.

I have got more grumpy about this sort of enforced socialising as I get older. I have enough trouble squeezing in my own friends and family without spending an afternoon with someone else's. And, much like an evil hybrid of a wedding and a kid's birthday party, I would suspect you don't get to speak to the parents-to-be that much as they are busy running round hosting and being in demand as guests of honour.

I'd far pop round for a slice of cake some time quiet. Hell, come to mine, I'll make you a flapjack and gush about all things baby related with you. I feel pretty similar about hen dos, birthday parties for non-event ages, baby showers, etc, etc. I'll make an exception for weddings, but only because there is probably free alcohol

[SatsukiKusukabe]

I'm American. I'd rather eat my eyes than go to one.

[PretzelTime]

I-I like fall decorations. At least you know that autumn is coming. But the baby gender scans are not to be trusted!

[dreamingbohemian]

Aw I'm sorry Pretzel. I'm sure your fall decorations are lovely. I'm clearly still a little bitter from enforced childhood leaf peeping.

[HomeEcoGnomist]

100% naff

Unless it's one that a pp suggested: adult jumps out to assembled friends with tassels in the appropriate places

[squishee]

Like Doreen, I was sure this intriguing thread was going to be about some kind of "gender reveal party" in adulthood! Dammit.

I say put the champagne on ice until baby arrives safely.

[loulouppy]

Sex = male and female
Gender = masculine and feminine

Sex refers to biological differences; chromosomes, hormonal profiles, internal and external sex organs.

Gender describes the characteristics that a society or culture delineates as masculine or feminine.

copied from google but just to knock it on the head once and for all.

[SprinkleLiberally]

Pinterest is like a whole new world for thia stuff.
Gender reveal, pregnancy announcement photos, capturing the whole pregnancy photos, really staged wedding shots, engagement reveal photos.
To me, it's all too much "I'm centre of the universe, me".
There is one entertaining pregnancy shot where the bloke appears to be pumping up the increasing bump!

[Librarina]

Sod the sex party. I want to know what 'Leaf peeping' is!

[feelingdizzy]

I thought it was a 2 year old ,and they had brought them up gender neutrally and their was going to be a big reveal in more ways than one.!!

[FarelyKnuts]

I would love to do this and have a rainbow cake and rainbow balloons pop out and just tell people we will let the child decide their own feelings on GENDER when they are old enough :o

As for this constant obsession with the sex of your baby to be- whenever asked "what are you having" I replied with "a baby aapparently" in true wanky style :)

[TurnipCake]

If sex reveal parties aren't enough, I've seen videos online of bloggers posting the 'reaction' to them telling their partners that they're pregnant. I'm waiting for the pee-on-a-stick reaction portrait

[flaminhoopsaloolah]

More ways for the card companies to make a fortune. But having a nice get together with friends and sharing the excitement, why not if they're not hurting anyone why care?

[dreamingbohemian]

Librarina -- haha. I'm realising everything in America sounds naughty!

Leaf peeping is going out to see the trees in the countryside after the leaves have turned colour. I know. Exciting!

Farely I love the rainbow cake idea

Whenever anyone asked DH what we were having, he'd say, 'I don't know, but I hope it's a tiger'

[BloggingAboutTediousThings]

It really depends on the type of the party. If the host is hoping to get lots of presents out of it then YANBU. But what is wrong being invited to a party with free cake and coffee?

[Viviennemary]

Never heard of them before. Beyond pathetic in my opinion. But let them get on with it if that's what they want to do.

[MagratOfStolat]

I think it's a pile of shit in my opinion, but whatever floats their boat...