DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m pregnant and want to have a party celebrating this new stage in life. I do not want any gifts. I do not want the burden of hosting to fall on another person. I definitely do not want to do a gimmicky “gender reveal.” I just want to host a party celebrating this moment.
What on earth do I call this party? It’s not a shower; it’s not a gender reveal. What is a name for this party that conveys the purpose without being clunky?
GENTLE READER: Why do people believe that parties have to have names?
Probably because the name suggests that presents are due. But that is not your intention, and there is no such need. You can just invite people over for a good time, and if you have something to celebrate, you can create a sensation by announcing it to them there.
That is how the traditional engagement party used to work: The parents threw a party and then announced the engagement by offering a toast to the new couple. Presents for an engagement were not customary.
They do seem to be now, as at every self-celebration. But if you announce your pregnancy at a party, people will protest that if they had known, they would have brought you something. Never mind — your object of a non-gimmicky, non-greedy celebration will have been achieved.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, [email protected]; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
COPYRIGHT 2023 JUDITH MARTIN
DISTRIBUTED BY ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION
1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106; 816-581-7500
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