Average cost
of popular
new traditions

Baby showers

When it comes to baby showers, it seems one primary cost associated with them is gift-giving, with 73% of those we asked saying they expect guests to bring presents.

But baby showers aren’t universally popular. 41% of those we spoke say they wouldn’t hold a baby shower, and 53% see them as a needless expense. Meanwhile, a further 45% have felt pressured into hosting such an event.

On a financial level, 43% admit that they can’t really afford to host such an event, despite it being the cheapest of our traditions, with a further 38% stating that they’ve actually received financial assistance to hold one.

Gender reveal parties

As with baby showers, gender reveal parties show a penchant for gifts as well. 72% of those hosting gender reveal parties say they expect guests to bring presents, with 60% saying it’s a great way to get spoilt by friends and family.

Much like baby showers, however, 54% of those we surveyed say they wouldn’t like one of these events, and 50% believe it to be an unnecessary expense. In fact, a full 51% of those we spoke to say they felt pressured into hosting such an event.

Given how expensive some of these events can get, it’s not surprising that 49% of those we surveyed pointed out that they really can’t afford a gender reveal party, and 53% said they’ve received financial assistance just to have one.

Hen and stag dos

They might be the most expensive tradition on average, but it seems hen and stag dos are slightly more popular than the other traditions, likely because they’ve been around much longer. In fact, 59% state that they’re a must-have event.

Traditionally, hen and stag dos are not gift-giving events, and this shows, with 70% of those we asked saying that they don’t expect any presents. And, though they’re the most expensive of our traditions on average, 57% of those we asked say they funded the event themselves, and 52% say they specifically budgeted for it.

It’s clear, for the moment at least, that there’s something of a divide on whether modern traditions are financially worth it, particularly with gender reveal parties. And with their price tags looking to increase again next year, this divide is only likely to grow.

At the end of the day, whether or not you host one of these traditions comes down to personal preference. After all, everyone celebrates big events like these in their own way.