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In the days of social media, it’s all too common to take a picture or post a cute meme announcing your pregnancy, but family deserves better. There are plenty of fun ways to announce pregnancy to family in person.
Put a little thought into it, customize the announcement, and make sure the family gathers around for the special moment. It’s important that you make it something that everyone can remember.
When to Announce Your Pregnancy
When you announce your pregnancy is completely up to you. Many people are so excited they just can’t wait, while others, who are anxious about complications, risks, and miscarriage tend to wait until after the first trimester.
Some people like to wait even longer, until after they know the gender. There’s no right answer. Only you know what’s right for you.
The same goes for how you announce it. Everyone is different. Everyone has a different sense of humor and everyone feels differently about the magic of pregnancy, so the way in which you announce it to your family will vary based on how you think they might react.
Here are just some fun ideas to get you started.
1. Write it in sidewalk chalk
This is one of the cutest ways I’ve seen to surprise grandparents with the news. Writing the announcement in sidewalk chalk outside of their favorite restaurant or coffee shop and then taking them out for a meal or coffee and letting them discover it for themselves is so much fun.
You can make a big production out of it by parking far away and letting the chalk lead slowly up to the big reveal. Give yourself plenty of time to point it out if they don’t seem to be taking notice.
It’s stress-free, budget-friendly, and should be super exciting. It also makes for a great conversation starter during your lunch or coffee date.
2. Buy keepsakes
Maybe you serve your sister her morning coffee in a keepsake “Best Aunt Ever” mug. Or maybe you swap your dad’s dessert spoon for a cute announcement spoon while he’s not looking.
You can also customize grandparent books, photo frames, and all sorts of other commemorative items to give to your family members to surprise them with the news. Showering others with gifts seems backwards, but it’s such a fun way to reveal your little secret.
Whatever you decide to do, these are great ways to announce the news and give your family something to commemorate the new blessing in their lives. They’ll be excited and every time they use it, they’ll be reminded of what they have to look forward to.
3. Involve the siblings
Sometimes, the cutest announcements involve older siblings. You can buy shirts that say things like “Big Bro” or “Sassy Sis”. You can also find t-shirts that say things like “Only child, expiring MM/YYYY”. You can even get swag for your furry kids announcing their promotion to big siblings.
Another cute idea is to invite everyone over for a get together at your place and litter the yard with campaign posters that sport your older child’s name followed by “for Big Brother” and the month and year of your due date.
It’s a fantastic way to announce the news immediately upon your family’s arrival and then spend the whole party celebrating!
4. Do a gender reveal
These days, many people don’t announce their pregnancy until very late. Perhaps you’re waiting until you find out the gender. If that’s the case, use that information to announce the pregnancy.
Host a gender reveal party, but don’t tell anyone that’s what it is. Boy, will they be shocked when they show up.
Decorate in gender neutral colors if you want to keep it on the down low, or make it totally obvious the second they walk in the door with pink and blue at every turn.
5. Wear a t-shirt
You don’t have to say a thing. All you have to do is wear a t-shirt and wait for people to notice it. Perhaps it has an eviction notice on it with your due date. Or maybe you can use a holiday near to your due date to your advantage with a little play on words.
It could even be something as simple as “Mommy to be.” Whatever you decide to do, the best part is just waiting to see who reads it and puts two and two together first. Will they shout it out to the whole family in the living room or keep their mouth shut?
How will this all play out?
6. Watch a movie together
Do you and your family ever get together for a movie or a game night? Tell them you found a movie you think they’ll like and you think you should watch it together on the next family movie night.
Once you have all of your popcorn popped and you’re settled in front of the TV, play your homemade movie including clips from your dating days, your wedding, doctors visits, your sonogram, a clip of the baby’s heartbeat, and anything else baby-related you might want to include.
It doesn’t have to be long or fancy. A 2-minute video is long enough to get a reaction out of them and probably make them feel emotional. You can use free video editing software to make it.
This is by far one of the most creative and heartfelt ways to share the news. Chances are, you may get emotional, too.
7. Propose to them
We all know what a marriage proposal is. We also know that a truly heartfelt proposal is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. It doesn’t have to be a big production. Even the simplest proposals can be meaningful if they’re well-timed.
Dropping to one knee and asking your parents if they’re ready to be grandparents can be just as meaningful and exciting, especially if you find something like a pair of baby booties to present them with while you do it.
Of course, this also works for special aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family members, too.
8. Bring dessert
Offer to bring dessert to the next family gathering. Order custom M&Ms online that have your choice of text. “Bun in the oven,” “I’m pregnant,” or something else either simple or creative will work just fine.
You can bag them up, but them in a candy dish, or use them to decorate a cake or cupcakes. Then wait for someone to notice. It’s similar to the t-shirt idea. Who will be the first to notice and will they shout about it or keep quiet?
The only difference here is, it may take them a minute to remember whose responsibility it was to bring dessert…
9. Pass out lotto scratchers
Some families have lotto scratcher traditions that run deep. Maybe they’re Christmas stocking stuffers or maybe they’re just for fun on a Saturday morning gas station run. Either way, if lotto scratchers have some sort of meaning for your family, it could be a unique way to announce your news.
Create custom scratchers that reveal your pregnancy and hand them out to everyone at the next gathering.
10. Put together a puzzle
Some families love puzzles, and you can order custom puzzles from a variety of online outlets. Maybe you already have a great idea for a photo announcement you want to use. You don’t have to give that up.
Instead, take the photo and have it made into a puzzle for your family first. Have them over to put the puzzle together. Once it’s finished, they’ll see the news, and then you can post the picture for everyone else to see.
11. Send them a greeting card
It’s heartbreaking when family lives far away. If you can’t be there in person to reveal the news, but you still want to see their reaction, tell them you’re sending them something in the mail, but you want to video call when they receive it.
You can choose the card and what it says of course, but you’ll be able to see their faces for the big reveal. It’s not exactly in person, but it’s a close second, especially if you can’t or don’t want to wait until the next time you see each other.
This also works for any other gift you want to send in the mail. Just tell them they have to wait to open it until you’ve connected via video chat.
12. Get custom fortune cookies
If your family is particularly into Chinese food, or maybe you have a night of ordering-in planned soon, order some custom fortune cookies. When your family cracks these open at the end of the meal, they’ll be in for a real treat.
13. Do not refill
If your family tends to libate during dinner, tuck a “do not refill until” sticky note in your purse until you sit down at the table, and then stick it on your wine glass for a fun surprise. It’s low-key, but totally obvious.
You can also offer to bring the wine to your next gathering. Order custom wine labels, slap them on your family’s favorite bottles, and set those on the table, too.
14. Make a scavenger hunt
Some families love getting together for game night, and if your family is one of them, you can customize a scavenger hunt. The last clue should probably be in the oven, for obvious reasons.
Of course, there’s a lot you can do with this. The last clue could also be an eviction notice on your older child’s crib, if you host the game night at your house. Be creative with your clues. Some of your family members might get it before the others.
15. Make a coupon book
Couponing is huge. If your family is into clipping coupons, make a custom coupon book that’s good for one upcoming baby. Two, if you’re having twins. Make some clever coupons good for one baby snuggle or one feeding session.
Hand them out and watch everyone go mad. It’s the best way to get them excited, especially if they have a soft spot for coupons.
Final Thoughts
When and how you announce your pregnancy is completely up to you. Only you can decide what’s right, but these ideas should get you started. Hopefully they’ll spark some creativity that leads to the perfect way for you to announce your big news to your family in person.
No matter when or how you decide to do it, they’re sure to be thrilled with the news. Make sure you plan the reveal with plenty of time left for celebrating, because there will be plenty of hugs and excitement to go around!