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Steps To throw the Gender Reveal Party “What Will Our Honey Bee?”

2 months before:

1. Pick a date

Choose the date of the party. Take into consideration the time of year and schedules. The baby coming in January and our parents wanting to know right away, we scheduled accordingly in July. This being summertime we chose a Sunday afternoon between 3-5p. This time allowed people to wind down after work on Friday or have a date night. Saturday could be filled with family time, sports or outside fun. Then friends and family could attend church, have lunch and come to our party. This time had guests leaving early enough for dinner and for Monday’s preparation. 

2. Make a guest list.

We listed those who were closest to the couple. Once this list was created, we examined who would likely attend and who was too far away to make the party. After the number was totaled, we examined the amount of guests. Making sure no one important was left out, even on the father’s side which I was not familiar with, was very important. This was the time to examine if the list had too many guests, in this case we would have deleted some numbers. Some parties are intended for certain guests and others are more of an open house. Consider who the party is for and what it is about when creating the guest list. Also begin to collect addresses needed at this time. Keep them all in one place for easy addressing.

3. Plan the place.

Choosing the venue early ensures the availability. If the party is at a home it is not so important. When planning our party, we considered some local places because of the number of guests along with the ease of having a party in a venue. Covid-19 added another aspect to the planning. It became obvious that having the party at our home would be the best place.

4. Pick a theme

You are here so What Will Our Honey Bee? is a theme of interest. Choosing your theme this early allows for the invitations to be purchased and if needed, shipped. This is a fun part of party planning! Again consider why you are having the party and for whom. 

5. Purchase invitations

There are many invitation ideas available. We fell in love with our invitation and it was an instant download. This made it easy to modify and print. This design comes with coordinated Thank you and baby prediction cards along with other options we did not use. Our daughter didn’t want a bee that looked too real because that isn’t baby enough. She also didn’t want a cartoon bee. We loved the double sided cards which added that extra touch. I am all about adding the extra touch!

Some invitations can be ordered, printed and then mailed to you, addressed ready to send. Others can be made on a Cricut machine, written in pen and cut out! Enjoy the process!

1 month before:

6. Plan the menu

Since our party was after lunch yet before dinner, our menu was small appetizers, fruit then a dessert. If the party is during a meal hour then plan to provide a meal for your guests. We had to consider Covid-19 as well. The food would be served to each person to avoid contamination and the spread of the virus. Serve food on toothpicks or in individual containers. Buffets are a great way to present and serve food but they are not recommended with Covid-19 present. If your party is at a venue that serves food, consider the ease of your guest eating the food. It is all about what you want your party to be! Incorporate bibs or warm wash cloths into the plan if you desire a messy food! 

Added Fun

I wrote all the words I could imagine to go with the What Will our Honey Bee theme. From that list I named the menu items with words that made cute Food Label cards. I even chose the fruit to go with the yellow and black colors. 

7. Send Invitations

Send out invitations and for an extra touch, check for stamps which go along with the theme. There may be a bee stamp for this theme, or for a bridal/ baby shower, there may be a heart stamp. Include the baby prediction card with a self addressed stamped envelope for those who are unable to attend.

8.Write the shopping list

Making your shopping list this early gives you time to watch for sales of the items on the list. Once the shopping list is made, break the list down into lists for each store. I had a list for the grocery store, Costco/Sam’s Club, Party City, Hobby Lobby and a food distribution store. 

9.Begin to purchase decorations

Watch the sales and coupons for area stores. Hobby Lobby has great sales on decor items and ribbon. Buying early gives you time to take advantage of sales and wait a week if needed for a better price! Also this gives time to have online items shipped. 

3 weeks before:

10. Order the cookies or cake

If you plan to have an ordered dessert, now is the time to order it. Provide pictures of your desired look if you have them. 

11. Begin to purchase the nonperishable foods and drinks.

I found deals on the ingredients for the cheesecake and honeycomb crunch so I bought them. Also the lemonade went on sale so I was able to grab that as well.

12. Keep all the supplies in one place

I placed all the party items in one place. I kept each category in separate bags or boxes. I put the decor items in one box, ingredients in another. The tableware and silverware were in a bag. This way when it came time to make something I knew where all the items were quickly. 

13. Rent extra tables or chairs

This is the time to rent extra tables or chairs if needed. There are so many great items available to rent, including tablecloths, chair covers, plants, yard games and even slushie machines! 

14. Call those guests who haven’t responded to the RSVP yet.

Times get busy and sometimes we forget. Be understanding if your guests have missed letting you know or are unable to attend.

15. Begin to assemble the party favors and decorations.

This is such a fun time. Put on good music or a favorite movie while you create. Invite friends over to help. Make a memory! 

16. Make the name tags

When a party has people attending who don’t naturally know each other then provide a name tag. The name is right there and avoids any awkward feelings guests might have. I don’t mind talking to strangers, but not everyone is like me. We want our guests to be as comfortable as possible and this small tag can make a big difference. Someone shy may not feel comfortable speaking to a stranger but can read the name tag to put a face to name.  It can be a conversation starter because people might recognize a name from stories. I like to coordinate the name tag to the party theme and have them written out, giving that little extra touch. This is also a great way to know if all those expected to attend are there before the big gender reveal! Or cake cutting, games or gift opening! 

Visit Handmade Jules free library to download the printable Cricut ready Name Tags! I will send you the password in your email. I promise I won’t bug you with emails! Maybe just some free things now and then! 

1-3 days before:

17. Finish buying the food and drinks

I was able to buy my food all a few days ahead of the party because it would still be fresh and delicious. Time your purchase to the type of food you are providing. Don’t let fruit get too ripe or bread get stale. 

18. Finish decorations and decorate where you can

Finish whatever decorations are left to be completed. Put up decorations where you are able. Our party was outside so we were not able to put things up the day before as there was a rain threat. Complete what you can, before the day of the party.

19. Charge the camera batteries

Charge the batteries to the camera and video camera so they are ready to go. I wanted multiple cameras capturing our gender reveal, one up above and one capturing the faces of the couple. Arrange people to help with recording the memory now so they are prepared.

The day of party:

20. Pick up any decorations and dessert

This is the time to pick up the cookies or cake, flowers and rented items.

21. Prep the food

Prepare the food that you are able. Prep the food that you can so it can be assembled easily the day of the party. 

22. Set up tables

If you are able, set up the tables with the decor. Since our party was outside I was not able to put tables up outdoors so I set them up in the garage. I put the tablecloths and runners on them along with the centerpieces. If needed, use tablecloth clips to keep the tablecloth from blowing off tables during the party or in a pinch tape the tablecloth to the underside of the table. We sprinkled the confetti where it went because it was protected inside the garage.

The day of party:

23. Buy Ice!

Remember to buy ice! What a bummer if someone has to leave the party because the icemaker is empty or you run out. Drinks that are to be served cold are not the same when they are warm. Be prepared.

24. Finish setting up

Get the tables where they need to be. Turn on the desired music. Mark the location of the party with signage so guests know where to go. Put the drinks on ice and start the coffee brewing.

25. Finish food preparations and presentation.

Get the food out and ready before the guests arrive. Put food on platters or serving trays. Light the warmers if needed. Make sure there are serving utensils available. Get the drinks on ice in a cooler or have an ice bucket with ice with tongs to fill glasses. 

26. Get beautiful

Get dressed for the party. Getting everything ready might work you into a sweat so get dressed in party attire after the hard work. Finish your hair style and make up so it is beautiful as you greet your guests.

27. Grab some pictures

As everything is set up and in place, stand back and admire your work. Take pictures of each thing before anyone touches it. Try to capture the whole look of the party. These pictures can go in the baby book, wedding album, or a photo album.

28. Greet the guests and have a great time!

Enjoy! All the preparations have led to this time, so don’t worry about anything. Just enjoy being with friends and family. Make a cherished memory.

Please share pictures of your parties! Post in the comments below or email me at Hello @handmadejules.us. 

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For Instructions on how to make an easy garden flag visit

Make Your Own Garden Flag

To purchase the What Will Our Honey Bee Machine Embroidery Pattern visit

What Will Our Honey Bee Machine Embroidery Pattern