Do you bring a gift for a gender reveal party in 2024?

So you’re invited to a gender reveal party – that’s great news! Now immediately after speculating what the baby’s sex will be, you might be wondering, “Should I bring a gift?” Though there are always exceptions to the rule, bringing a gift is not necessarily required, though it is a thoughtful gesture to celebrate the special occasion.

A gender reveal differs from a baby shower in that gift-gifting isn’t compulsory and leans more on the casual side in agenda, preparation and etiquette. In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about gender reveal party etiquette to make your own informed decision whether to bring a gift, or wait until later occasions, like a baby shower.

Read: Baby Shower vs. Gender Reveal Party – What’s the Difference?

Understanding Gender Reveal Party Etiquette

A gender reveal party is like a pre-party to the main event, where loved ones get to shower expecting parents with lots of love and welcome the soon-to-be new addition with open arms!

The gender reveal is both exciting and sweet for guests and parents-to-be alike, and generally a much more casual event than the baby shower. For guests, the general rule of thumb is that a reveal is more a time for anticipation and joy, with less formality and focus on baby shower gifts.

Gift-Giving: A Personal Choice

Bringing a gift to a gender reveal party is completely optional and based on personal preference. The main purpose of these parties is truly to reveal the baby’s gender – one of the most exciting moments of the pregnancy journey. Whether you are on a tight budget, or you have something bigger already planned for a baby shower gift, we encourage you to do what feels most comfortable given the relationship you have with the expecting parents.

Suggestions for Thoughtful Gestures

For guests who want to grace the event with a special something, this is the perfect opportunity to bring gifts for the parents-to-be, rather than the little one. This might be a gift card to a local food shop they like, flowers, or a bottle of wine. Let’s go into detail:

A Bouquet

Flowers are a timeless choice that everyone loves, but they often wilt quickly. That’s why this preserved flower bouquet from Amazon is perfect—it can serve as a centerpiece during the event and later as a cute home decoration. Preserved flowers can last for three years (or more), making this a gift that truly keeps on giving.

A Wine Bottle 

Giving the parents their favorite bottle of wine could be a sweet gender reveal gift. They can pop the bottle after their little one arrives to celebrate. Gifting it in an elegant jute wine bag and including a personalized note can make this gift even more special.

A Personalized Baby Blanket

This gift might be given a bit after the party, but it’s guaranteed to be a favorite. Once you learn the baby’s name at the gender reveal party (or shortly afterward), you can order a personalized baby blanket with the baby’s name or initials. Choose from various colors and fonts to craft a custom gift the parents will love.

Baby Book 

Baby milestones fly by in a flash. A baby book is a sweet way to help parents capture those special moments, along with other memories and photos. It’s a great tool for preserving those precious early memories, allowing the parents to look back on them for years to come.

 

Gift Card 

Babies definitely come with a lot of expenses! Gifting an Amazon gift card can help ease the financial burden for the parents-to-be. It also offers them a chance to treat themselves when most of their budget is understandably focused on the baby.

What Type of Gift Should You Choose?

When picking out a gender reveal gift, consider practical items that the parents-to-be will appreciate in the months leading up to and following the baby’s arrival. You can opt for baby-related gifts like a baby book or something more parent-focused like a restaurant gift card. If you’re choosing a gift for the baby, go for gender-neutral options, unless you prefer to wait and give something more personalized after you find out the baby’s gender.

Practical Tips for Guests

If you’re asking yourself “what kind of gift do you bring to a gender reveal party?” or still feel unsure about your decision to give, below are ideas to make this part of the celebration as seamless and easy as possible.

We’ll share tips like having a potential gift handy just in case, and also choosing gender-neutral and practical items, if you decide to bring a gift. If you’re set on bringing a little something to the occasion, we’ve rounded up 24 gender reveal gift ideas, whether you want to focus on mom, both parents, or the baby.

Gifts Are Optional

As a general reminder, it’s not necessary to bring a gift to a gender reveal party, especially if there’s a baby shower planned later. Gender reveals are a fun addition to the pre-baby celebration, and what truly matters is your presence and support in anticipating the soon-to-be new addition to the family.

Consider Small Gestures

Small gestures are completely lovely in any case! If you feel inclined to bring something, go for small, thoughtful items like flowers, a gift card, or a bottle of wine. Any of these items are sure to make the parents feel cared for.

Focus on the Celebration

Remember, the purpose of a gender reveal party is to anticipate the upcoming arrival of the baby! This event is not focused on the exchange of gifts. It is an opportunity to shower the expecting parents with love, laughter and celebration as they step into the beautiful journey of parenthood.

Be Prepared, Just in Case

In case that you’re unsure about giving a gift, you can always keep a card containing kind and supportive words, perhaps accompanied by a nice bar of chocolate, a little cash or a check handy in your bag. This way, if you find that other guests are giving gifts, you’ll be prepared to give one of your own.

Gifts for the Parent

If you’re wondering what to bring to a gender reveal party as a gift, consider something that focuses on the parents-to-be. With all the following events focused on the baby, both parents are likely to appreciate pampering items or something they can enjoy together at this early stage. These could be certificates to the spa, a gift card to the parents’ favorite restaurant, or even a gift basket with a few of their favorite snacks and home items.

Keep It Low-Key

Because gender reveal parties aren’t as widely held as baby showers, the gift-giving rules around them are less concrete. If you do decide to bring a gift, feel free to keep it modest. The gender reveal party is typically a much more laid-back affair than a baby shower.

Enjoy the Moment

When you get the news that a close friend or loved one is expecting, an invitation to a gender reveal party may not be far away. Embracing the spirit of the event by showing excitement for the parents-to-be is the best thing you can offer. Soak in the happiness and the joy of the expecting parents as they anticipate whether they’ll be having a little girl or a little boy!

Celebrating the Moment

Gender-reveal parties are a festive and fun addition to pre-baby celebrations. While a baby shower is a time for family and friends to gather and show support for the parents-to-be, a gender-reveal is an exciting way to announce the sex of the baby.

Are guests expected to bring a gift to both? Typically no. Bringing a gift to a gender-reveal party is a personal decision, and not required. Given that this event is much more casual, and attending a gender reveal party is primarily about sharing in the joy and excitement of the expectant parents, gifts are the afterthought.

If you’ve decided to bring a gift, that is also welcomed, and there are many ways in which you can offer a thoughtful gesture. The decision to bring a gift should align with the guests’ comfort and the nature of their relationship with the expecting parents. Have fun and embrace this special moment in your friend’s or loved one’s journey!