This statement was supposedly uttered (although it was never proven) by Marie Antoinette and it made her very unpopular. That may be my fate as well. I will start by clarifying that I love babies, pregnant people, ultrasound pictures, baby pictures, baby showers and even the “sprinkle” people throw for the lady having her 3rd child. I’ll buy you a present and celebrate your happiness any day of the week without a single eye-roll, or snide remark. Honestly, the cake or cupcake I get in return is enough. I really love dessert, so when I show up with a present, I feel that getting cake in return is a fair trade. That is why the statement I am about to make is so strange to me…I will skip the blue or pink cake.
That may seem harsh, but this new trend I see growing momentum out there, where you throw yet another party at the 18 to 20 week mark to unveil the sex of your fetus is a bit much. What’s wrong with posting the ultrasound picture pointing to the tiny genitalia? What happened to the good ol’ Facebook update? Or an email for crying out loud? When I was expecting my daughter, I sent an email and it was super fun and I got so many great notes back!
It’s hard enough to carve out time to get a shower gift, show up at the shower, then make a dinner and drop off the obligatory your baby is the best baby in the world present post delivery. Do we really need to throw more party into the mix? I realize that this milestone is the most exciting thing in the world for you and your husband, maybe even your immediate family. This unveiling kicks off the naming game; you can now pick out room décor and clothes and for many that is when the fun really begins! Knock yourself out. Just do so without the party and color-coded cake.
I am sure many will vehemently disagree, but I know my cousin Lynn agrees, because she tried to convince me that learning the sex of my baby at the 18 week ultrasound would rob me of the greatest gift I would ever receive. So at least maybe the folks who don’t learn the sex of the baby at all will join my anti-cake coalition. Or maybe I go down in history like poor Marie Antoinette, despised and misquoted. Time will tell.
10 comments
I am not even believing this. Never heard of it. My group of gal pals doesn’t even throw a shower for the 2nd baby. Now, we do hand-me-down most everything to each other such as toys and clothes and gear. Amongst us, there are 7 little girls and 1 little boy so we have enough girl clothes to open a boutique!
Insanity. Agreed!
Yup, that is way overkill in my book!
Well I have never been to one, nor ever had one, but I think they sound like fun. I think it should be only for close friends and family, and you should not expect gifts if you are planning on having a shower as well. But it sounds like a fun way to find out the sex together with your very close friends and family.
I agree Jennifer, I felt like this was a rather intimate moment to share with a large group. But I could see a pink or blue cake at a family affair.
The cake looks good, now I want cake. Thanks Lisa. Thanks a lot.
Ok so I understand that the idea of throwing another party just to find this out is a bit ridiculous. I think the idea though of using this as the way to share the news of the sex of the baby with close friends or even parents and family members is very fun. I can say as a pregnant MTB at 15 weeks that I have been asked if i was going to partake in this new ritual. And although I believe that any reason you can come up with for me to eat cake is a good one I wont be doing this.
However i might eat cake that day anyways. 🙂
I’ve heard of a few friends that have done this. Although you’re told not to bring gifts, you still feel somewhat obligated to bring the gift. I agree it’s fun to share, but throwing a party may be a bit much.
That being said, I agree with the other ladies, I want cake now. 😉
Agree. Complete overkill. Great article.
Well… as a baker, who absolutely LOVES making the gender reveal cakes, I must say I, respectfully, disagree with you 🙂 I understand that to some throwing a party to find this out seems a bit overboard, but if you have family and friends that want to do it for you, or if the parents to be want to throw it, I say why not?! Some of the gender reveal parties I’ve been to/been a part of, have been some of the most fun parties, when it comes to “baby themed” parties especially. We all were asked to guess the sex by holding pink or blue cups, take group pics on what team you were on, suggest names, eat foods that the mom was craving, etc. It was awesome! And I can’t describe the feeling in the room right before the mommy-to-be cut into the cake that would reveal if they were, as she said, “attending ballet or football practices.” You could feel the love, anticipation, excitement, and more. And when all the people that she and her husband loved the most, could be a part of finding out all at the same time, the joy was incredible! They could also share in the love back right away…there were so many tears, so many hugs, and kisses, and it was just awesome! It also eliminates the, “who are we going to tell first” conversation, which is an added perk!
As a baker who is asked to make the cakes, I feel humbled and honored that people (some of whom have never met me before) trust me to know something so special before they do. The fact that I am privileged to look at the first picture of their little girl or little boy ultrasound before they do…it’s so special to me. And I guess, it also makes me sentimental; I start to think when I was pregnant and the anticipation to find out what we were having, and the excitement in telling our family and friends (we didn’t use a cake BTW ;)).
I understand that it’s a very personal opinion, but to most couples, it’s the most special time in their life thus far, and I think it’s a wonderful way to share the moment with the people you love the most!