| e you expecting a baby and looking for a great way | | | | other shirts up and tie them with ribbon. Gather |
| to let friends and family know? Here are some unique | | | | everyone together for dinner or snacks and pass out |
| ways to announce to family and friends that you're a | | | | the shirts. The only thing you have left to do is watch |
| proud parent-to-be. | | | | everyone open their shirt and figure out what the |
| | | | secret message is! You may want to keep a camera |
| 1. Pregnancy Announcement: Spread the news about | | | | on hand to keep a lasting memory of everyone's |
| your pregnancy the old fashion way with snail mail. | | | | reactions. What You Need: |
| Many parents-to-be, including celebrities, are announcing | | | | - Plain White Tee Shirts: Figure out how many people |
| their good news the same way many announce the | | | | you will need tee shirts for. The amount of tee shirts |
| actual birth of their babies. Send family and friends | | | | you need depends on how many family members you |
| photo announcement of your pregnancy and be sure | | | | will be giving them to. Generally speaking you should |
| to include the due date. Not only is this a great way to | | | | have shirts for both sets of grandparents, any sibling |
| say hi to friends and family you may not always see, | | | | that you and your partner may have, as well as any |
| it's a great way to tell loved ones who may be too far | | | | children you already have. |
| away to watch your belly grow. If your computer | | | | - Fabric Paint or Permanent Markers: While permanent |
| savvy, you can make them from the privacy of your | | | | markers are equally as efficient, I suggest going with |
| own home. Just put together a layout or download | | | | fabric paint for a cleaner appearance. |
| one from the internet; import your picture, and get | | | | - Ribbon: The color ribbon you choose should depend |
| printing. If you're not a computer whiz or don't' have the | | | | on how quickly you want everyone to figure out what |
| time you can easily find an online greeting card retailer | | | | you're trying to say. A red or black ribbon will keep |
| that specialized in announcements. Just send them the | | | | things a mystery for at least a few more minutes. |
| chosen picture, pay for their services, and wait for | | | | However, pink and blue ribbons will give away your |
| them to come in the mail. What You Need: | | | | surprise pretty quickly. |
| 2. - A Picture: You may want to take a picture of | | | | - Camera: Capture everyone's reactions with a |
| yourself that shows a visible tummy. Usually I would | | | | camera. Use the picture to start a baby book for the |
| suggest waiting until the third or fourth month to | | | | newest member of your family. |
| announce your pregnancy. This allows for some time | | | | Sweet Messages: Make your pregnancy |
| to form that little tell tale bump. You may also want to | | | | announcement even sweeter with some sugar |
| include the baby's father in the picture as well as any | | | | cookies or cupcakes. This works particularly well if you |
| other children you may have. | | | | have a huge family or if you want to let your |
| 3. - Shirts: If you are including other members of your | | | | co-workers know about your pregnancy. Purchase or |
| growing family in the picture, it may be fun to have | | | | bake the confection of your choose. Decorate the |
| them wear shirts that say "Big Brother," "Big Sister," or | | | | cupcakes or cookies with blue and pink icing, sprinkles, |
| "New Daddy." | | | | and a few baby themed decorations like tiny rattles |
| 4. - Photo Paper: If you're printing your announcements | | | | and bottles. |
| at home you will need quality photo paper. | | | | What You Need: |
| 5. - Envelopes: When printing your announcements at | | | | - Cookies or Cupcakes: If you're purchasing the |
| home you'll need envelopes to mail them in. If you're | | | | cookies or cupcakes, check with your local bakery. |
| having your announcement made, check with the | | | | They should be able to accommodate your needs by |
| company to see if they provide the envelopes for you. | | | | making cookies and cupcakes without the Icing or |
| 6. - Stamps | | | | decorating them in blue and pink icing there. If your |
| 7. Say it with Shirts: Pregnancy looks great on you, | | | | baking them be sure you have all the ingredients you |
| why not make it fashionable for everyone else. Buy a | | | | need including the frosting. |
| few plaint white tee shirts and some fabric paint or | | | | - Baby Decorations Put a personal touch on your |
| permanent markers and get busy. Personalize each | | | | sweets by decorating them with tiny baby trinkets like |
| shirt for each member of your family by labeling it with | | | | baby bottles, rattles, and toys. You should be able to |
| their new title. Make the new grandparents shirts that | | | | find these things in an arts and crafts store or |
| say "Grandma," and "Grandpa;" for your brothers and | | | | department. |
| sisters, label them with "Uncle," or "Aunt." Roll each | | | | |