Original Ways to Tell Family & Friends That You're Expecting

[Csara]

Whether you just found out that you are pregnant, or you have been keeping it under wraps until now, sharing the news that you are expecting is a once-in-a-lifetime announcement. To make the most of your opportunity to surprise and delight your family and friends with the good news, try out one of these creative and original ideas.

A Picture Says A Thousand Words

Make a card with one of your ultrasound pictures to send to family or friends. Caption the picture, "You might not see the family resemblance yet, but in 6 months you will!"

If you already have children at home, make up a grandmother's brag book with pictures of each of your children. In the last spot, place your ultrasound photo with a cute note about her newest object of adoration.

If your announcement coincides with a gift-giving holiday (and these days, everything from Valentine's Day to Arbor Day can be an excuse to give a present!), give Grandma/Auntie-to-be a beautiful silver frame with an ultrasound photo of your little bean. Be sure to promise a professional shot in a few months times!

Graphic Ts

These fun t-shirt ideas are simple to make at home with some iron-on paper and a color printer.

Dress yourself in a tank or t-shirt that reads: "Baby on Board". Or perhaps you prefer the more irreverent: "No, I'm not just getting fat!"

Will this baby be #2? Dress his or her big sibling in a graphic T that says, "I'm Going to Be a Big Brother (or Sister)!"

If this baby will be blessed with multiple siblings, print up simple t-shirts for each of your children and yourself with numerals that represent birth order. Number 1 on big brother, number 2 on middle sis and number 3 (with an arrow) on you, pointing to your belly. If you already know your baby's gender, you can even color-code the numerals.
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In lieu of t-shirts, give gifts to your folks on Grandparents Day that read "I *heart* Grandma"� and "I *heart* Grandpa".

Know Your Audience

Is your mom (sister, friend) a carbs freak? Try baking up (or mail ordering) some cinnamon buns. Wrap them in a beautiful basket and enclose a card that reads, "I bet our bun in the oven will be even more delicious!"�

Is your dad (husband, uncle) a huge fan of your local football team? Give him a onesie or other baby outfit with the team's logo. It may take a minute or two for him to make the connection. (You'll probably get a kick out of watching him scratch his head!)

Is your sister (or best friend) a voracious reader? Send her a copy of The Velveteen Rabbit or Goodnight Moon or any other favorite book from childhood and inscribe it: "Please read this to me in 6 months. Love, Baby."�

Whether you pick one of these announcement suggestions or create you own, the joy in your voice and delight in your eyes will surely say it all!

[queensara]

A friend of mine made a wine bottle label on her computer that said Smith Red Made in the Anytown region of NY. Vintage August 19, 2006 (her due date) (fill in your own info) with the ultrasound picture as the logo. They served the wine at a dinner party for friends and family. They were on the 3rd bottle before anyone noticed

[Csara]

That is SO cute - I LOVE IT!!! If I end up having more kids, I have to try to remember that.

[shan]

I personally loved how Megan told her husband she was pregnant. It was really inventive.

[Csara]

Originally Posted by shan

I personally loved how Megan told her husband she was pregnant. It was really inventive.

Oh yeah, I remember that with the little army man flying down from upstairs with a parachute. That was adorable!

[B'sgirl]

I love it, Megan! I made Chinese food for dinner and served fortune cookies afterward. I put my own little fortune in DH's cookie that said he was soon to be the father of two.

[HeavenLeigh]

You could order those personalized M&Ms or Hershey Kisses that read "We're pregnant" "Stork arriving on ???" or whatever. That would be cute if it were around a holiday to give out to family/friends

[Csara]

All very original and creative ideas. Those are great. Keep 'em coming!

[shan]

My friend's husband always laid out his clothes for the morning so she layed a baby outfit next to his clothes, set baby shoes next to his, and put the positive pregnancy test in his boot. She said that she had to make sure he figured it out, lol.

[mom2amy]

l I laid out the bib and preggy test on the counter and told DH something was wrong up in the bathroom (the toilet or something) and he needed to go check it out. He went up and found the stuff laying out and was super happy! I can't remember which time I did this (one of the last pregnancies).

With MIL on Mother's Day I just wrote in the card Love, Chris,Maggie,Amy and new baby due in Jan. 2008