Gender Party Trends: Pink, Blue, and Here’s What’s New

by Kerry Andersen

Announcing a pregnancy has long been a joyous occasion for couples. In recent years, however, revealing the gender of that new bundle of joy has taken on a life of its own. The trend started in the early 2000s when ultrasound technology advanced enough to reliably determine a baby’s sex earlier in pregnancy. Combine that with the rise of social media, and gender reveal events quickly grew from intimate family gatherings to full-blown celebrations with guests, decorations, and often elaborate surprises.

What’s In

Gender Reveal Adventures – Rather than hosting a traditional party, some couples are opting for a “reveal adventure,” a memorable experience that combines the thrill of the reveal with a fun outing. Popular adventures include skydiving, hot air balloon rides, and ocean dives, with the couple finding out the baby’s gender mid-experience through colored smoke or a clothing reveal. For couples looking for something less extreme, hiking to a scenic viewpoint or going on a picnic, where they open a gender-reveal cake or colored smoke stick, can also make for an unforgettable day.

Eco-Friendly Reveals –Traditional balloons, glitter, and confetti can be harmful to wildlife. As more parents-to-be become aware of this, they are choosing eco-friendly alternatives like biodegradable confetti or planting a tree or flowers in the baby’s color. Dip your hands in washable paint while you’re both blindfolded and leave colored handprints on your white t-shirts. When the blindfolds come off, you can see the color of the handprints and keep the painted shirts as keepsakes. These ideas allow for a beautiful reveal while leaving a positive impact on the planet.

Food-Themed Reveals – Cakes with colored interiors have been a staple of gender reveals and are expanding to include more fun and interactive options. Donut shops and bakeries offer options like filling pastries with pink or blue icing, while some couples are surprising guests by slicing into gender-themed pizza or sushi rolls. The key here is creativity: colored desserts like cake pops or breakable chocolate hearts filled with colored candies are also fun ways to surprise guests.

Sibling, Family, and Pet Involvement – Including older siblings and pets in the reveal brings family closer together. For example, siblings might pull a string to release confetti, pop a balloon, or unwrap a special box. Pet lovers have also started including their dogs, cats, or other furry friends by dressing them in colored outfits or having them carry a colored banner. Family members can wear blue or pink t-shirts to cast their votes (Team Staches or Team Lashes)! For a fun family-centered activity, give everyone colored Silly String to spray on cue – don’t forget to cover the labels on the bottle to preserve the surprise. Sports themes are another popular idea. Let kids take a swing at golf balls or softballs filled with pink or blue powder or adults can throw darts at balloons filled with colored paper.

More Ideas – You can include out of town family members by sending them a candle that reveals a hidden gender message as the wax burns down. Ship crocheted booties in shades of pink or blue or a onesie that says “Hey Girl” or “Oh Boy” on the front! Star Wars fans can dress in costumes and illuminate lightsabers that glow blue or pink.

What’s Out

A quick search of the hashtag “gender reveal” on social media channels will warm your heart with creative baby announcement videos that will keep you scrolling for more, but also spotlight some gender reveal trends that are best left in the past.

Explosive Pyrotechnics and Dangerous Stunts – Wildfires, accidents, and environmental damage are just a few of the high profile incidents that have occurred in recent years due to pyrotechnic and smoke bomb gender reveals. As a result, parents-to-be are prioritizing the safety of guests and their environment over “shock value,” which has led to the decline of these more dangerous stunts.

Over-the-Top Color Explosions – There was a time when couples tried to make the biggest, most colorful reveal possible, with colored powder cannons, oversized confetti blasts, and even chalk bombs. Now, couples are scaling back on flashy reveals, opting for smaller intimate moments like opening a box filled with colored smoke or revealing a small colored item that holds personal significance.

Balloon Releases – Balloon releases have also fallen out of favor in recent years as concerns about environmental harm and wildlife safety grow. When released, balloons eventually return to the earth, often harming animals or polluting landscapes. Choose safer and more eco-friendly alternatives like lanterns and flower petals instead.

Social Media-Less Reveals – Some families are choosing to keep the gender reveal announcement private, opting to enjoy the moment personally or with close friends and family rather than broadcasting it on social media. The trend of sharing every moment online has led some couples to step back and keep the experience intimate.