When to have a baby shower and gender reveal: dates, ideas and planning

A gender reveal is a celebration where family and friends find out or share the sex of the baby. The surprise is usually prepared by a trusted person, who is the only one who knows the result before the reveal, using information from a prenatal test or ultrasound scan. It can be held as a standalone event, included as part of the baby shower or kept as an intimate moment with the family.

A baby shower is a get-together to celebrate the baby's arrival with family and friends. It often includes food, games or activities and, in many cases, a baby registry to help prepare everything needed before the birth.

There is no compulsory date, but these are the usual times to hold each celebration:

The gender reveal is usually held soon after finding out the baby's sex, especially if the family wants to take it into account when choosing decorations or some baby shower gifts. The baby shower is normally left until later, when the pregnancy is well advanced, while there is still time to get anything missing before the birth. It is best not to leave it too late, because the baby may arrive early and it is better to have everything ready in good time. If both events are held together, choose a date somewhere in between that is not too close to the due date.

The reveal can involve food, decorations, clothing or an object prepared by someone you trust. Here are some practical ideas:

With food

• Cake with coloured filling: It looks like an ordinary cake on the outside, but the colour appears when it is cut. You can order one from a bakery or make it at home if someone else knows the result.
• Champagne cake: A cake decorated like a champagne bottle that shows the chosen colour when it is opened or cut.
• Surprise cupcakes: They all look the same, but one contains coloured cream or filling. The parents can choose one at random or try them at the same time.
• Filled biscuits: When broken open, they reveal cream, icing or small sweets in the reveal colour.
• Box of chocolates: One chocolate or its filling reveals the result.

With boxes and decorations

• Box of helium balloons: Balloons in the prepared colour fly out when it is opened. Use it indoors or keep the balloons secured so they cannot escape.
• Confetti piñata: It can be shaped like a star, heart, cloud or question mark and filled with paper confetti.
• Confetti umbrella: Someone opens the umbrella over the parents and lets its contents fall.
• Confetti cannon: It works well for photographs, provided it is used somewhere where everything can be collected afterwards.
• Wardrobe with clothes in one colour: Open a small wardrobe, chest or box containing the baby's clothes, shoes or accessories.
• Prepared nursery: The parents open a door to find balloons, lights, flowers or clothes in the chosen colour.

With objects and gifts

• Handbag or box from a special brand: You could use, for example, a Hermès handbag or a beautiful box and place inside it a piece of clothing, booties or an accessory in the reveal colour. The handbag itself can also be part of the gift for the mother.
• Baby's shoebox: Open it to reveal booties, little shoes or socks.
• Gift for the older sibling: The child opens a T-shirt or toy with a message about their future brother or sister.
• Bouquet of flowers: A florist prepares a covered bouquet that only reveals its colour when the wrapping is taken off.
• Opaque balloon: The parents pop it and paper confetti falls out.
• Personalised puzzle: Once the pieces are complete, the reveal message or colour appears.

For those who prefer something more active

• Football with coloured powder: One parent kicks the ball and releases the powder. Use it outdoors, away from other people, and avoid inhaling it.
• Baseball or golf ball: It works in a similar way, but you need to control the distance and location more carefully.
• Darts at balloons: One of the balloons contains paint or confetti in the prepared colour.
• Toy car race: When the finish line is reached, one of the vehicles triggers the reveal.
• Treasure hunt: Several clues lead to a box, a piece of clothing or a prepared room.

With smoke or paint

• Coloured smoke bomb: It creates striking photographs, but must only be used outdoors, following the manufacturer's instructions and away from children, animals, dry vegetation and people with breathing problems.
• Coloured powders: They can be thrown, released from a box or used in a photograph. Check first that they are washable and non-toxic.
• Paint on a canvas: The parents throw or reveal coloured paint on a prepared surface.
• Water pistols with washable paint: Guests can spray white T-shirts or a canvas.

For an intimate reveal

• Surprise breakfast at home: A mug, plate, small cake or box contains the colour.
• Letter from the baby: A family member writes a letter that reveals the result at the end.
• Ultrasound video: Combine it with photographs and a final message.
• Box for the grandparents: Each family receives a box and everyone opens theirs at the same time on a video call.
• Dinner for two: The restaurant or someone close prepares the dessert or a small surprise gift.

You do not need to choose the most spectacular idea. The best one is usually the idea that suits the space, the number of guests and the kind of memory you want to keep. If you use confetti, balloons, smoke or powders, check beforehand where it will take place, how everything will be cleared up and whether children or animals are nearby.

First decide how many people you are going to invite and where you would like to hold it. A baby shower can take place at home, in a garden, in a restaurant or at an event venue. The important thing is to choose a comfortable space where guests can relax and you can enjoy the day without too many complications.

Once the venue is chosen, all that remains is to take care of the small details, such as the decorations, food and activities that will help family and friends enjoy the celebration. There is no need to organise a huge party; a simple, well-planned celebration will make an unforgettable day.

Decorations

Choose a theme and repeat it on the table, the cake and the photo area. Clouds and stars, teddy bears, safari, woodland animals, flowers or children's stories are reliable options. You can also decorate with ultrasound photographs, a washing line of baby clothes, letters spelling the name or toys that will later go in the nursery.

Games and activities

There is no need to prepare lots of activities; two or three are enough. Ideally, combine a fun game with an activity that creates a special keepsake for the parents-to-be and the baby.

• Guess the date, time, weight and length of the baby.
• Recognise baby photos of the guests.
• Gift bingo while the presents are opened.
• Decorate babygrows or bibs with fabric pens.
• Create a handprint or signature picture, so every guest can leave a keepsake.
• Write a dedication or letter to the baby, which the parents can keep and read when the child is older.

Food

A grazing table is often the easiest option, as guests can eat when they like while chatting and joining in with the activities. Small sandwiches, savoury pastries, fruit, nibbles, sweets, a cake and drinks are usually more than enough for a relaxed celebration.

At many baby showers, opening the gifts brings the celebration to a close. Guests bring presents they have chosen beforehand from the baby registry prepared by the parents-to-be, a simple way to make sure they receive everything needed for the baby's arrival and avoid duplicate gifts.

It is a good idea to prepare the baby registry before sending the invitations. That way, when family and friends start looking for a gift, they already have a guide to everything you really need for the baby's arrival.

Before sharing it, take a few minutes to review it. Include only products that will be useful to you and think about both the first few weeks and the months that follow. As well as newborn clothes, you can add items for bathing, feeding, going out, the nursery or the baby's sleep.

Once it is ready, simply share it with the guests so that everyone can choose the gift they prefer. This makes choosing easier for everyone and means the parents-to-be receive gifts they will actually use.

Avoid duplicate gifts

With SmileBaby you can add products from online shops by pasting the link or enter gifts from physical shops manually. You can then share the registry using a link or QR code.

When a guest chooses a gift, they can reserve it and confirm it later. This lets everyone else see what is still on the list and reduces duplicate gifts.

You can download the QR code to include it in the invitation or share it later with anyone who asks for it. The important thing is to present it as a helpful guide, not an obligation.