Having our 2nd May 2021.
We didn't find out the "sex" (although they often call them gender scans, so don't really understand that whole upset, everyone knows what you mean right) with the 1st, although my husband wanted to. I got to pick as I would be carrying and delivering the baby, so trumped him :)
This time, for our 1st, and for my husband we will find out - but due to pandemic restrictions I'll be at the scan alone. I don't want to find out by myself, so was looking to find nice ideas of how we could find out together - not a big "Gender Reveal" as some have suggested are tacky and OTT - but just for us as something nice when the world is upside down.
Was pretty disappointed by many of the comments in this thread, to the point I signed up to MN to comment myself, which is very unusual. I presume the OP Russ has had their little girl now, so congrats!!
For those who didn't comment with useful suggestions, I'd recommend spending your time more efficiently than providing your useless opinions. Regardless of how you feel about finding out the sex and telling people, the OP was asking for themselves and should not have been judged - you will never know their full circumstances and they weren't asking you to do anything you didn't want to.
For those who did suggest some nice ideas, thank you!! It's definitely a different experience going to scans on your own, so it's nice to be able to plan a way to find out together too.
For those still looking for ideas - I looked at options on Amazon/Etsy etc...
I was looked at scratch cards that I could get in both options (boy/girl) and ask the sonographer to then put one in an envelope - but then panicked that I wouldn't know the difference between them when they arrived (sender not labelling them differently/clearly). You can get scratch stickers, so could get your own card, ask them to write in and then stick the sticker over the top - so you can still scratch.
I also thought about asking the sonographer to load a balloon with the right colour confetti - but don't think that would work (they won't have time etc.)... I don't want to rely on Morrisons/etc. having stock either and don't want to tell anyone we don't know before husband and I find out. But thought balloon would be a nice one for our 1st - LOVES balloons. If you have very close friends/family who could arrange for you then maybe that could work - they load it for you. Or if you are willing to wait after the scan, you could risk not having stock in shops and asking them to make something (balloon/cake) for you.
I wanted something in advance, so we can find out together asap after the scan, so I've decided to go for Russian/Nesting Dolls. I'll ask the sonographer to write on a small piece of paper which will be inside the last doll. I've gone for animal themed ones, so gender neutral. Our 1st can be involved opening them up, and the new baby can have them as toys when he/she arrives.
As for people being interested... "Noone cares but you" ... contrary to what most seem to suggest, we found EVERYONE wants to know more than we did/do. "Do you know what you are having?" has been the question I've been asked the most since telling people we were expecting. Maybe our friends, family, co-workers and strangers are just more excited about babies... Or not as grumpy as many who commented on the post!
We're probably going to find out and not tell anyone but our 1st born - just to tease those that really want to know. They can try to get it out of the 1st, but who knows if it'll be the truth!
Whether you want to find out sex or not, have a big party or not, I wish all the best for you- ignore everyone else's moaning/groaning - do what you want!
Not finding out with our 1st was a lovely surprise, but also excited to find out with this one. Will also be useful to know whether I should keep a load of stuff from 1st, or just pass it on (some clothes just aren't that suitable for both).