Congratulations! You or someone you care about is starting a family (or adding to one), and that’s cause for celebration. Nowadays, it’s popular to host a gender reveal party at some point in the pregnancy. It’s a fun way to get all the expectant parents’ loved ones involved before the new addition arrives.
But gender reveal parties don’t have the same long-standing history as baby showers. So you might find yourself questioning exactly how they work. Or, more importantly, how to host one without breaking the bank.
Check out these gender reveal party ideas that will help you stick to your budget. We’ll not only share some fun ways to make the party a smash, but also give you intel on just how much your should be spending.
Cheap Gender Reveal Party Tips
When saving for a baby, it’s vital to protect your finances, even during celebrations. Sure, you want to share the excitement in a stylish way, but there are cribs, strollers, and lots of diapers to be bought! To help you pull off a gender reveal on a budget, read on.
Keep It Small
You can save money by downsizing your event. Instead of inviting anyone and everyone, try including just friends and family. Not only will a smaller party keep costs low, but it will make the event more personal and a whole lot less frantic. An intimate gathering with those closest to you can be a lovely way to celebrate learning a baby’s gender. Plus, it allows the host or guest of honor to get more quality time with each invitee.
However, you may want to run this by the expectant mother. She should have the last say about the invite list so that no one significant gets missed.
Choose a Cheap or Free Venue
You can hold a gender reveal party anywhere. When you think about it, it’s a very accommodating event without a lot of rules about the dress code, timing, or the activities involved. So, you can likely make any location work, whether it’s at home, a local restaurant, or elsewhere. However, when picking where to have the party, you may need to factor in the size of your guest list and the type of gender reveal you want. For example, if you plan to use a gender-reveal powder cannon, you probably need a venue outdoors.
Rented venues can be expensive, so for a gender reveal on a budget, consider hosting at home. Or look at other cheap locations like a nearby park. You can still spruce up the place with decorations, but you don’t have to worry about the cost of renting.
Send Digital Invites
Invitations are where many people let their creativity shine. But physically mailing them out may not be the most cost-effective option; you’ll have to buy the cards and spend money on postage, too. If you are looking for a way to send fun invites but for a fraction of the price and time, consider digital versions.
There are apps and sites that offer digital invite services. You can find a wide range of gender-reveal invitation templates on them. Spend a few minutes scrolling; you may find some totally free options, or you might spend anywhere from $10 to $20 on them. You can also find fun graphics and animations to make them unique.
Additionally, these resources make planning a party more straightforward for the host. That’s because they usually come with a function that lets guests RSVP digitally, so you can keep track of who is coming. You can also usually automate updates and reminders. Start by exploring Punchbowl, Evite, and Paperless Post for some great evite options.
Make Your Own Decorations
Similar to birthday parties, a gender reveal party isn’t complete without a few decorations. Easy DIY décor includes banners, streamers, candles, and table centerpieces. Often, you only need cardstock, ribbon, and paper to get creative. You might also be able to find printable images online. Sayings like “Whether pink or blue, we love you” and the like can be a fun way to underscore the reason everyone has gathered.
Another option is to use what you already have — outside. Anyone with a green thumb can take advantage of their garden to liven up their party. You can set the whole event up outdoors if the weather is nice or use flowers to decorate your home. For example, fresh flowers in mason jars or dollar-store vases are a simple but effective centerpiece.
Remember, even if the parents know the gender already, decorations shouldn’t give it away. Instead, aim for a gender-neutral look or a mix of pinks and blues so that nothing spoils the surprise.
Do a Potluck
Hosting a gender reveal party that includes a meal can get very pricey, very fast. No matter the size of your guest’s appetite, you have to purchase food per head. Some recommend around a half-pound of meat and half a bottle of wine for each person at an event. That alone racks up a bill equal to months’ worth of baby supplies.
Instead, consider a potluck. A potluck can save you significant costs in the food department. Plus, it’s a great way to bond as a community or family. You may find that having a number of people contributing makes the endeavor more creative. Hosting a potluck does take a bit of organization to make sure, say, that not everyone brings a dessert, but the savings and sense of teamwork may be well worth it.
Budget Beforehand
There are plenty of cheap gender reveal ideas out there. But before you spring for treats, balloons, or confetti cannons, you need to know your financial limits.
Sit down early in the planning process and create a budget for your party. If there is more than one host, pool your resources and determine the total you can spend. Sometimes family members of the parents-to-be are also willing to help. They may contribute some cash or offer to bring items to the event.
It’s essential to do this before you start party planning. That way, you know exactly what you need to buy and how much it will cost. Otherwise, there’s every a chance that you’ll discover your cheap gender reveal party wound up being a high-cost celebration.
Stick to Your Budget
It sounds self-explanatory: Stick to the budget you make. However, any party planner knows that it’s easier said than done, whether you have a baby shower, birthday, or anniversary on your hands. You don’t want to compromise on the end result. So, maybe you dip a little further into your funds for extra decorations, more flowers, or a beautifully decorated dessert.
While those gestures are nice, they come at a financial cost. Do your best to keep yourself accountable. You may need to separate your “party fund” from your savings. Or, if you have a co-host, report your spending to each other. You’ll be less inclined to go overboard that way.
Budget-Friendly Reveal Ideas
The most important part of a gender reveal party is the reveal itself. But, you don’t have to pay for expensive fireworks, a band, or an entire room of balloons to make a statement. Some budget-friendly ideas include:
• Gender reveal confetti or powder cannons
• A giant balloon filled with colored confetti; pop it to reveal the gender
• Cupcakes or cake with the gender color inside
• A pinata filled with either pink or blue ribbons and glitter
You can also set the stage with color-themed food and drink. Some hosts like to have pitchers of fun fruit drinks, one tinted pink and the other blue with berries.
There are also plenty of games that can be played as a way to have a cheap gender reveal party. Search online for options.
Setting Your Gender Reveal Party Budget
Your budget will obviously vary with the type of party you are planning. If you have a backyard potluck for 10 close friends it will, of course, be much more affordable than a meal for a few dozen guests at a rented space. For example, let’s say you choose a large venue; that alone may cost you upwards of $200 to rent. In addition, decorating the location may be expensive, anywhere from $50 to $100 and up. That’s because there is more space to cover than your garden or living room. Plus you’ll need to factor in the food as well. Ka-ching! And double ka-ching if you live in a major city; your costs are likely to be higher.
That said, only you and your loved ones know what will be the right way to celebrate the upcoming birth. Just like putting together a budget for baby, be methodical. Write up, item by item and line by line, what you’ll need to pay for and your estimates of the costs involved. See what the total is and how that syncs up with how much you wanted to spend.
The good thing is that you can next play around with your distribution of funds. For instance, maybe you have a baker in the family who can bake a fab gender reveal cake. In that case, you can put more money toward a venue. Or, perhaps you are hosting a potluck version of a gender reveal party. That frees up some cash for decorations or how you handle the big reveal. It’s a balancing act, for sure, but with a little planning and a strong commitment to your budget, you can host a gender reveal party that won’t break the bank.
The Takeaway
Hosting a gender reveal on a budget may take a bit of extra planning. But spending less won’t make the event any less memorable. Instead, think of it as an opportunity to test your creative muscles and come together as loved ones. Remember: You don’t have to compromise on everything. Play around with your budget to find the best party plan. Maybe you host it at a restaurant but it’s a tea party instead of a full meal. Or perhaps you gather in someone’s yard or a local park and then have enough to splurge on an amazing cake. It’s all about balance!
Let SoFi Show You More Money-Smart Ideas
Whether you’re expecting a baby or simply planning a party for one of your besties, life is expensive! We get it. That’s why we’re devoted to helping you make the most of the money you have with a high interest bank account. Eligible members will enjoy easier banking and all kinds of great perks, like no monthly or minimum-balance fees, access to your paycheck up to two days early, and a super-competitive APY.
FAQ
What is a good budget for a gender reveal party?
Budgets will vary depending on the host’s means and goals and the expectant parents’ desires. However, you can stretch a fund further with a more relaxed event. For example, a small barbecue in your backyard with a few friends won’t cost as much as a luxe rented location but may make up for that with the warm, intimate vibe.
Who usually throws a gender reveal party?
There is no norm; anyone can throw a gender reveal party, from a close family member to the parents to a best friend. It’s all good! In some cases, there are even multiple hosts. This allows everyone to take on a smaller financial burden than a singular host. The only rule is to keep the gender a secret during planning.
How much should a gender reveal cake cost?
The cost of gender reveal cake can vary in price depending on where you buy it, how big it is, and how ornate it is. Prices often land in the range of $25 to $50. However, features like surprise candy inside will likely run you more money. And if you purchase a cake from a highly rated patisserie in a big city it will probably be considerably more expensive than one at a local bakery in the suburbs.
Photo credit: iStock/Ievgeniia Shugaliia
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