Elephants have been a favorite symbol in the United States, Canada, and Europe since the 1930's, when Lucky Elephant charms became very popular. These good luck charms, products of India, have origins in the Hindu religion. In the United States, only elephant charms or figurines with their trunks held up are considered good luck!
Thanks to Walt Disney, we also have a favorite elephant icon: Dumbo. Beloved for his unusual ability to fly and the strength of his sweet spirit, Dumbo's image is often used for elephant birth announcements to parallel the special qualities of the baby who's just arrived.
Elephants evoke images of specific places: the jungle, the circus, the zoo, Africa, and the Taj Mahal in India. They are intelligent, protective, regal, and proud. Announcing the birth of your baby to the world is one of the most important milestones in your family's life, and be it for a boy or for a girl, an elephant birth announcement sends the news out in style.
All kinds of birth announcements are available through online and local retailers; however, for a personalized look with the elephant image of your choice, you should consider designing your own. It's not difficult or expensive, and the results are fabulously unique, just like your new addition to the family.
It's important to choose the right image for the centerpiece of your project. A plethora of clipart images are available online and can be customized to suit your tastes and the project at hand. Elephant clipart images can be combined with photographs, special papers, and embellishments to create a beautifully textured birth announcement.
The overall look of your project will be up to you. Remember that you can do anything from making your own postcard announcements to something much more elaborate. Supplies are readily available at office supply and craft stores, and consider checking online auction sites and area flea markets for special deals.
If you have located an elephant image that you like, consider what theme (if any) will be associated with it. This is important because it will determine your use of color in your project. For example, if you're working towards a circus theme, you wouldn't use browns and black for a color palate - you'd be much more inclined towards primary colors such as red, blue, green and yellow for a festive feel.
Once your image, theme, and colors are established, start thinking about how you ultimately want the elephant birth announcement to look. Subtle with soft colors and a simple design, or bright colors with ribbons and charms; let your imagination be your guide. Visualize what you'd like to see and then begin working in the elements of color and texture. You'll be amazed at how quickly your ideas become a beautiful reality!
No matter whether your baby is a boy or a girl, an elephant birth announcement will triumphantly declare to the world the birth of your child, using the image of a gentle and intelligent bearer of good luck to spread the glorious news.