Pre-printed Cards
Certainly, store-bought cards are the easiest route to take; if you're taxed for time, this is the way to go. A variety of designs in different price ranges can be found at almost any stationery store. Or, check online if you're too tired to leave the house. Just fill in the information and pop them in the mailbox!Custom Printed Cards
For a unique birth announcement, this is a sure bet. Custom cards are offered at many stationery stores and on several websites. Again, the costs vary, and there are a number of styles and themes to choose from. For example:- Photo
- No photo
- Special design for twins
- Handmade paper
- Vellum Paper
- Sports theme
- Driver's license
- Fairy-tale or Mother Goose theme
- Holiday theme
- Animal or teddy-bear theme
- Sibling birth announcement
Handmade Cards
If you want something a bit more elegant and crafty, there's always the hands-on approach. With a few supplies from an art store (colored paper, watercolors, colored pens, ribbon, vellum, rubber stamps, stickers) and a photo of your new baby, you can create a unique birth announcement that is, indeed, one of a kind.What's more, this is a great opportunity for a family activity. Enlist the help of siblings, husbands, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Or, call on your girlfriends and gossip while you create. Chances are they've been dying to be of service anyway!
Computer Generated Cards
Having a baby can get expensive, but making a unique birth announcement doesn't have to cost much. With a desktop publishing program and a color printer it's possible to quickly design your very own distinctive card. You can even include a scanned photo or paste a picture directly onto the page.Online Posting
Considering that everyone (not just new moms) is pressed for time, you can herald your news online in a mass email. With the help of online baby websites, you can fashion a computerized card and post it to friends and family in a flash.If that's not satisfying, you can go one step further and build your baby his or her very own website. Here you can showcase more than just your birth announcement. You can indulge in photos, post stories about your family's new addition, and encourage others to keep in touch.
When it comes time to share the joy of their newborn with others, mothers-to-be should feel confident that they'll have a number of options. And if someone still insists on passing out cigars, you may want to suggest a chocolate variety to sweeten the message.