“It’s a girl!” “We had a boy!” There are few other announcements that are as exciting to give – and receive – than these. But why not make it even more special? Here are some ideas for unique birth announcements. No one will forget the birth of your precious child, and no one will forget how you announced it.
Save the Date
Create a custom-made onesie with your child’s birth date and snap a picture of the little cutie. You can then use a photo service, like Shutterfly, to turn the picture into a very unique announcement. First things first, though. How do you make the onesie?
You can find a tutorial on Fancy Frugal Life if you want some illustrations to guide you, but it is very easy. First, buy a plain white onesie and boot up your computer. Use Excel to make a calendar sheet for the month in which the baby was born. That’s it; no pictures, no embellishments. Print the sheet and use a piece of Quick Fuse Sheet and iron the image onto the onesie. Use a red Sharpie to circle the day that the child was born.
All you have to do now is have the baby model the shirt and take a picture.
An Edible Announcement
If you want to send an extra-special announcement to a proud grandparent or close friend, consider saying it with cookies! If you have a few basic baking skills, you can create a bouquet announcement. Here’s how:
First, make a batch of sugar cookie dough. Chill it, preferably for a few hours, and then roll your cookies. Make sure they’re a bit thicker than normal. Cut your cookies, using either a simple circle or a baby-themed cutter. Chill the cookies again. Before you bake, insert a wooden skewer or lollipop stick into the bottom of the cookie.
When they come out, let them cool completely. Flood each cookie with royal icing and let dry overnight. The royal icing acts as a canvas for your cookie, and now you can “draw.” Use edible markers, thicker royal icing, or icing gel, to write the baby’s name on one cookie; her birth date on another; and her birth time, weight, and length on three more. You can include any information or message you like.
Meanwhile, select a container, whether a cute pail or a terra cotta pot and put in a block of florist foam. When the cookies are dry, insert the sticks into the foam. Cover with tissue paper or crinkled paper to hide the foam, and voila. An edible announcement!
Before and After
If you start planning your announcements while you’re pregnant – kudos! You can make yours even more special. Have a friend or photographer take a profile photo of you – specifically, your belly. When the baby has been born, and you’re comfortable with your newly slimmer self, hold the baby near your stomach and have another picture taken. The pose should be identical, and the baby should be, essentially, in the same place! You can see how this looks, find some other “before and after” baby shots, and get some tips to make your own at this Babble blog.
Order, DIY, or Both?
Since announcements are very personal, they should reflect your style. If you are a DIYer, then make your own. You can use basic art supplies and your imagination, or you can find free templates online to give you a head start. If you would rather catch a quick nap than make announcements, you can find any number of sites that allow you to customize your cards from a selection of templates. And if you want something printed that you have designed, you can do that, too. It is up to you, how much time you have, and how much is in your birth announcement budget.
Get ready to spread the word!
About Tara V