You know the whole "no one cares as much about your wedding as you do"....

kitty8403

I'm generally a big fan of throwing parties (iffy on attending them), but I seriously cannot believe this is a thing. I'm with PP who said major life celebrations deserve one event.

I adore my niece and I think my cousins' children are cute (and rather abundant). And I'm mildly interested in various friends from high school having their first babies, in a news updatey kind of way. But beyond that, I'm sorry. I'm really not interested in your children, and unless your family has produced nothing but boys or girls for the last three generations, I'm not going to care what sex they are. I'm glad you find their antics amusing, but I just don't care that much unless they are accomplishing something. Tell me when they do something highly unusual (viral video caliber) the first couple years, show a couple first birthday photos, and then leave me alone until they start winning awards and saving the world.

kitty8403

Maggie0829 said:

carliealissa said:

Wow.. I really don't understand the snark in this situation!  People just like to have reasons to get together, socialize, have fun, and celebrate life in our short time here on earth.  Having a baby is one of the best times in life to celebrate, and one of the most joyous occasions.  I don't have kids, and I get this..  some of these comments make me feel a little depressed for you.  Fine, if it's not your thing, stay home alone while the "AW" and the rest of your friends enjoy a wonderful day together!  Why have any showers or weddings or holiday parties or anything at all, ever?  There's a reason these things exist- to make life a little more pleasurable.

But, I also just don't understand why so many people hate showers for this same reason.  I also cried today hearing the name and gender announcement of the baby our popular local radio dj had yesterday, a stranger.

Also, I think there aren't many times where finding out 1 of 2 possible options is a huge win either way, I think that is the draw, and fun, of the gender reveal party.

Amazingly my friends/family and I can get together, hang out and socialize without having to come up with dumb party ideas.  

And gender reveal parties =  dumb, IMO.  I am all about celebrating a new baby or a marriage or a milestone birthday but to have a party solely to celebrate a babies genitals is a bit ridiculous.

I find it disturbing, and kind of a throwback to the days when girl babies were devalued. Would you throw the same party regardless of whether your child was male or female--not BECAUSE you got the result you wanted? Then be happy it's healthy, and just announce at your shower. Or, you know, when it's born.

vh2014

Coming from a large family that is all local I can see this being a family event so that you can tell them all at the same time and not have some upset that you told someone else first.  I was very careful when I announced our engagement to make sure I called everyone about the same time so no one felt slighted.... 

But this didn't even occur to me for my kids.  I found out both times- and I let everyone know when I was going to find out.  They could call and ask if they wanted.  My sister did not find out... she waited and anyone who wanted to know came to the hospital or had someone call them.  

But I agree with @jenna8984 and no one loves your baby as much as you... so no, I really don't need to sit through 300 identical pictures of the same newborn or closely examine every pixel of your sonogram for how "cute" the little guy or gal is just like you don't want to hear every detail of my wedding planning.  One exception- my niece.  She rocks.  LOL

PrincessOfHavoc

Only one I've seen was a coworker brought in blueberry filled cupcakes as the reveal. But we all were looking forward to the updates and he was a very wanted and tried for child, so everything was really that important to my coworker. Plus, he's three now and all kinds of awesome so I probably put up with too much.

carliealissa

kitty8403 said:

I find it disturbing, and kind of a throwback to the days when girl babies were devalued. Would you throw the same party regardless of whether your child was male or female--not BECAUSE you got the result you wanted? Then be happy it's healthy, and just announce at your shower. Or, you know, when it's born.

I'm not sure I understand.  The parents don't know what the result is going to be until the reveal, so yes they are throwing the same party regardless of what the gender turns out to be.

weddingmcgee

I agree that I hate showers! I'm happy to buy stuff for important occasions, but I don't want to sit there and ooh and ahh over every onsie and burp cloth someone gets. If there is wine, it helps. But I'd just as soon drink at home. 

I agree with someone who posted that Pinterest is behind over the top parties. They all look so grand and pretty on the computer, but are usually a hassle for the planner and the guests. For gender reveal, I like to see pictures that people post with, for instance, a box that has a pink balloon when they open it and the parent's reactions. Or something cute that can be shared, but doesn't make everyone go to your house specifically to find out. Also, I get SO annoyed by couples who throw too many parties. My best friend's brother is getting married and she is always telling me about another party they're having- they had a couple straight up engagement parties, a stock the bar party, a wine party (separate from the bar party), and already 2 showers. And there are more parties to come. You can only celebrate people and special events so much- even if it's a baby. Your wedding and your baby are important to the people in your life. But every special occasion has it's limits. It's expensive and time consuming and by the time the kid is born or you actually get married, people are tired of celebrating it.