A gender reveals party is a party held during pregnancy to inform future parents, family, and friends of the gender of the baby. The necessary information is provided by prenatal gender determination technology. This practice began in the late 2000s in the United States.
This is distinct from but sometimes combined with, a baby shower, the main activity of which is to give gifts to expecting parents for their unborn child. Gender stereotypes, such as pink and blue for girls and boys, are frequently used at a gender reveal parties.
The practice has been criticized for using complex and dangerous special effects, which have directly contributed to many deaths, injuries, and large-scale wildfires, including the Eldorado fire. The practice has also been chastised for perpetuating gender stereotypes and promoting binary gender essentialism.
