Baby Announcements

For my darling nieces first Christmas on this planet I painted them both their own custom toy boxes with their names dominantly displayed. I filled the boxes with copies of my favorite books from early childhood and a couple of soft teddy bears for reading buddies. As I scanned my memory banks for birth announcement ideas I started thinking: what about birth announcement toy boxes?

Begin with a plain unfinished wooden box. I like the crate style available at the craft store. It’s a great price and made of quality wood making it ideal for a baby gift and future treasured keepsake. I prefer oak or pine and always avoid plywood or pressboard. Use a fine sander and go over the entire surface of the box to prepare it for painting.

Paint the box in baby safe (i.e. non toxic) paint in appropriate colors. After the base color dries it’s time to put the birth statistics on the toy box. You could paint the words on with a fine paintbrush or use stickers or stencils to make your mark.

A custom birth announcement sticker or label can be made using the templates of online printers. Get a few sheets with the birth statistics written on and stick all over the box haphazardly for a very creative look.  Another idea is to take the birth announcement you received in the mail and use it as a decoupage piece for the toy box. Ask the parents for extra copies if you need to. I’m sure they won’t mind.

Fill the finished birth announcement toy box or crate with baby toys, blankets and first books for a special finishing touch. This is a birth announcement for both the parents and the child whose birth is being celebrated. And what a great way to say welcome to the world.

Filed under: baby shower, birth announcements, invitations, new parent life, save the date, thank you cards on August 1st, 2010