Don't get me wrong — I love children. While I don't have any of my own [1], I am at that age where most of my friends have settled down and have adorable, sweet little cherubs that I want to hold, rock, and snuggle all the time. I have a sweet 4-year-old niece who has me wrapped around her finger (and her sisters are getting there!). I even have a brother who is 14 years younger than I am [2], so while I didn't raise him by any means, I've been around for all of his major life events.
I'm always excited for you when you announce your pregnancy [3]. I'm nervous for you when you think something is wrong. I'm there via text for all your pregnancy urges, cravings, and rants. I will even come entertain your children when you're put on bed rest [4]. But if you're planning a a gender reveal party [5], whether this is your first child or your fifth, don't expect a present, period.
When you're expecting family and friends to take time out of their lives to come and celebrate with you, you should not be expecting a gift.
A gender reveal party, in my opinion, should not be about the show of gifts. That's what a baby shower [7] is for. A gender reveal party is to celebrate the baby that's found its way into your heart. Maybe you've had a miscarriage [8] and want to shout this pregnancy from the rooftops. Maybe it's your first child and you're just amped. Maybe you have three boys and you're hoping for a girl. Whatever the case may be, when you're expecting family and friends to take time out of their lives to come and celebrate with you, you should not be expecting a gift.
And, truth be told, I probably already got you an expensive shower gift. And then there will be the arrival gift, especially if you're having a child of the opposite sex. For the rest of my life, there will be birthday gifts and milestone gifts, depending on how close you are to me. There will be the "auntie" dates, the shopping trips, and little things picked up "just because." A child is a lifetime monetary commitment, and not just for the parents.
I will bring cupcakes to your gender reveal party. I will bring champagne (for me, duh) to your gender reveal party. And I will definitely bring confetti to your gender reveal party. But I'm not bringing a baby gift [10], and you shouldn't expect me to.
Editor's Note: This piece was written by a POPSUGAR contributor and does not necessarily reflect the views of POPSUGAR Inc. Interested in joining our POPSUGAR Voices network of contributors from around the globe? Click here [11].