Parentology

Going Beyond Gender Reveals: Unique and Creative Ways to Celebrate Baby’s Arrival

These days, it seems like the gender reveal party has become a staple in the expecting-parent community. “When are you due?” is often followed closely by, “What are you having?” (If you’re feeling cheeky when you get that question, you can try answering, “A… a baby? I think?”)

Besides the baby shower, however, there aren’t many traditional ways to celebrate expecting parents that include the whole family! In some ways, the gender reveal party has become the accepted way to throw a party that can include husbands and other family members who would typically not be included in the baby shower.

If your family and friends are excited to celebrate you and your new little one, but you aren’t the type to throw a gender reveal, here are a few suggestions for non-traditional parties that go beyond the baby shower… without giving away any secrets.

Meal Prep Party

Instead of getting everyone together to eat a cake that is blue or pink, why not ask some friends and family over to help you prepare for the weeks after baby arrives? Nothing brings people together like food. And nothing is more helpful to new parents than a freezer full of delicious favorites ready to go!

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You can organize your meal prep party however works best for you, but it makes things a whole lot more enjoyable for everyone if there’s some eating involved. Ask your guests to send you some easy-to-freeze recipes they love ahead of time, grab some single-use dishes, and organize a meal prep day that ends with lots of taste-testing!

Nesting Party

While you might not invite every single person you know to a nesting party, it is a wonderful way to let your close friends and family help you prepare for baby… and show them you’re grateful in the process.

You provide some delicious food and a list of nesting projects that need to get done, they provide you with help getting ready for baby, and you all feel great at the end of the day! This is an especially great idea if you need to knock out any big projects like painting a nursery or building furniture. It has to be done anyway… why not make it a party?

Pre-Baby Bash

Think of the Pre-Baby Bash as the sort of bachelorette party of baby showers (without the drinking, of course.) Get your friends together for a day of fun, pampering, and relaxation before the big day arrives!

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Mocktails, pedicures, a night out at a concert… whatever it is that makes you feel like you are celebrating you! This is your chance to spend a little time focused on who you are and the things you love before you make the big transformation to “new mom” status. Whether it’s your first baby or not, take some time to indulge in a little fun and just be you.

These ideas will hopefully get you thinking about how you can celebrate your growing family in a way that brings your loved ones together and brings you joy! No glitter bombs necessary… unless you want them.

Bethany Robin

Bethany has been blogging about the struggles, pitfalls, and just plain insanity of parenting as a millennial since her oldest was born in 2015. She's also worked extensively as a doula and has four children of her own, including toddler twins.

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