DEAR ABBY: I have been invited to a "gender reveal" party. I have never heard of such a thing. I mean, REALLY?
In my day, a married woman's first child was welcomed with a baby shower. Today, baby showers are given for three, four, five children of the same mother whether she's married or not. Am I out of the loop on this one? I anxiously await your reply. -- NOT READY FOR THIS
DEAR NOT READY: Parents don't know what the sex of their child will be until they get the results of the first or second ultrasound. Some of them choose to have the results presented to them in an envelope and given to a third person, to be shared with family and friends during a gender reveal party that is sometimes held in place of a baby shower. The results of the ultrasound are then announced either verbally or, in some cases, by serving attendees white or yellow cupcakes with cream centers that are either pink or blue.
Yes, it's an excuse to have a party, but why not celebrate? If the idea is a turn-off, no law says you must attend.