Intimate Gender Reveals in Coffee Shops are Trending, Here's Why

Over the years, we've seen celebrity and ordinary parents-to-be reveal their baby's gender in their unique way, from a plane releasing pink smoke to a toilet flushing blue ink.  Just when we thought we'd seen it all, short videos of personal, quiet gender reveals in cozy coffee shops started popping up on our feeds. And we couldn't help but think: "I wish I'd seen that video when I was still pregnant!"

Yes, on Facebook and TikTok, a new low-key and intimate gender reveal trend is taking off. It only requires the basics: an envelope with the ultrasound results, the expectant parents, and your favorite coffee shop. 

What's this intimate gender reveal trend in coffee shops?

One content creator who embraced this trend is Rose Ann Rulloda. In a TikTok video that has garnered over 300,000 views, Rose shared that she and her husband, Kevin Rulloda, held their gender reveal at their favorite Starbucks branch in Meycauayan City, Bulacan. "Para mas genuine 'yung reactions," she explained.

@rose.ocsanrulloda From the moment our OB knew kung ano ang gender, we told her na,  Wag munang sabihin samin. ???? We wanted to have intimate Gender Reveal para mas genuine yung reactions ????  Thank you to @Starbucks PH Drive and Dine Branch for granting our cutie request and for cheering up to the end! Really Appreciated! ????  May the cars, Dinosaurs, Lego be with us! ????????  #fyp #momsoftiktok #pregnancyjourney #fypage #genderreveal #intimategenderreveal #pregnant #septemberbaby #pregnantlife #coffeegenderreveal #secondbaby ? original sound - roseocsan.rulloda - rose.ocsan on IG

In the video, the couple shares a drink with two straws. "Chocolate chip for boy, strawberry frappe for girl," Rose says. After taking a sip, they find out they are having a baby boy! Behind them, the baristas, whom Rose calls their "cheerleaders," are seen beaming with excitement.

Meanwhile, another expectant mom, Christine Joy Paule, shared her unique coffee shop gender reveal on Facebook. She and her husband, Allen Joshua Paule, learned of their baby's gender using donuts. "We asked the crew to give us a Bavarian donut if it's a boy, and a strawberry one if it's a girl," Christine wrote.

They handed the sealed envelope to the staff and were served two Bavarian donuts with surprise fillings. After two bites, they found out they were having a boy! Their video has gained over 3.2 million views and counting on Facebook.

Why couples are choosing intimate gender reveals

Rose shared with Smart Parenting what made them opt for a low-key and straightforward moment to reveal their second child's gender rather than a big one. "We decided to have an intimate gender reveal at Starbucks because it's always been a special spot for us, where we catch up and enjoy the little moments," she said.

She added, "For us, it wasn’t about the grand setup; it was about genuine love, excitement, and creating a memory that felt true to us."

Not only are intimate gender reveals more authentic and meaningful, but they're budget-friendly too. Imagine how much you can save by choosing this route over a full-blown baby shower with food, guests, and decorations. That extra money could go to your pregnancy expenses or baby fund instead.

Christine, a first-time mom, shared that even before they found out they were pregnant, she and her husband had already agreed on keeping their gender reveal simple and intimate. "We both believed that what matters is preparing for our baby’s arrival," she told Smart Parenting.

"Let's be real—it's not easy to stay financially stable nowadays, so we chose to be practical. We wanted to save up for more important things like giving birth and the baby’s needs, especially since this will be our first baby."

After learning their baby's gender, the couple called their parents to share the news. "What made it so special was being able to celebrate that moment kahit simple lang, with the people who truly matter to us," Christine said.

She added, "And of course, we both love Dunkin'! Even before the gender reveal, I was already craving and eating Dunkin' Donuts, so it felt perfect, parang hitting two birds with one stone—enjoying my cravings, and doing our gender reveal!"

How to have an intimate gender reveal party in a coffee shop

If you're pregnant and want a quiet, heartwarming way to determine your baby's gender, here's how.

1. Get an ultrasound from your OB-GYN or a trusted ultrasound center.

This is typically done around the 16th to 20th week of pregnancy, when your baby's gender is more visible via ultrasound. Let the doctor or sonographer know you're planning a gender reveal so they don't show the result on-screen. Instead, they should hand you the printed results in a sealed envelope.

2. Go to your desired venue and brief the staff.

With this trend already growing, many coffee shops are open to helping. Choose your preferred gender reveal, be it through drinks, donuts, or cake, and give the staff your instructions along with the sealed envelope. Don't forget to give them a tip afterwards!

3. Film the moment and enjoy it.

Whether you choose to record it or keep it just between the two of you, the point is to savor the moment. If you're filming it, set up your phone or camera, and press the 'Record' button before anything else!

Why intimate gender reveals are worth it

Rose and Christine recommend the experience to other expectant parents. "The kilig and excitement, nandun talaga! Kahit simple lang, we were so happy and content. You'll also be able to spend time together, cherish the moment, and talk about what's next, just the two of you," Christine said.

Rose added, "It was such a heartwarming experience, something we honestly didn't expect. The staff were incredibly kind, and although it was meant to be intimate, God secretly sent us cheerleaders behind us, waiting and watching for our reactions, which made it even more special."

Grand or not, the joy of discovering your baby's gender is always worth celebrating. And sometimes, as these two moms prove, the simpler the setting, the more heartfelt the moment.

Read how an ultrasound center in a mall helped me with my last-minute gender reveal here.