Baby Announcements » new parent life

Baby’s First Christmas: Celebrating New Life

Trish — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 19:18:15 +0000

I just popped my friend’s holiday gift in the mail. It was great to finally have an excuse to buy some of that “baby’s first Christmas” stuff. I remember receiving a holiday ornament the year I got married and it became a very special keepsake. It may seem a little old school and cheesy but custom printing and baby focused gifts are great at the holidays. So if you are looking for a baby shower gift or a new baby gift, here are some holiday appropriate ideas.

Well the tree ornament is a classic baby’s first holiday gift. These days you can order quite a selection through your online printer. You just choose your favorite photo of baby and order the ornament shape and style and let them do the rest. Now custom printed ornaments are not the cheapest option out there but they certainly make a great conversation piece. And just think how much that ornament will mean to baby as they grow and place it on their Christmas tree year after year.

Canvas photo art is a growing trend in custom printing and it certainly has high impact. Again get a nice picture of baby or maybe baby plus family and have it printed onto a canvas. Most of the time these canvas prints can be made in house within the hour or at least the same day. Meaning there is still time to get your order in.

Calenders are always great for baby related custom printing and don’t have to be a Hanukkah or Christmas gift. They make excellent favors for a New Year’s Eve party. With a range of sizes and prices there’s pretty much something for everyone.

And if you are just hours away from that holiday visit consider a photo flip book. This is just a few pictures of baby made into a small booklet that grandparents can keep in their purse. They are quick to make at home or professionally and make great family stocking stuffers.

Time is getting low for holiday buying so pick out your favorite images and get down to the printers. You’ll be glad you did.

A New Baby Another Baby Shower to Plan

Trish — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:54:58 +0000

Well very unexpectedly and completely by accident we are expecting a second child. Besides the myriad thoughts running through my head a niggling part of me can’t help but be distracted by the possibility of a baby shower to organize. Of course we aren’t supposed to organize our own showers and who knows if anyone will want to throw a party for a second pregnancy but it is fun to picture in your mind.

Theme. Choosing a theme is hard before you know a child’s gender. I love the Dr. Seuss theme but know everything Seuss is too expensive. For baby Nik the nursery theme was hot air balloons which he still enjoys now. Yes I think that would be easy to create on a tight budget, colorful and full of creative opportunities. Or kites or something else light and whimsical.

Food. Well that’s pretty easy. My friends made a wonderful Mexican feast for the last baby shower I attended and I for one would love a repeat performance. If not Mexican than Indian with lots of yummy curries and nan bread.

Decorations. I always think bold and big accents fill space quickly and have great visual impact. Balloons, kites, clouds, weather related items, that sort of thing would all work well at my imaginary baby shower.

Games. I’m pretty easy on games. Classic or modern is fine. I would hate to have that melted candy bar in a diaper game. Who wants to play that? I mean really. So besides that I’m up for anything.

Baby showers are fun to plan and nice to throw. Not to mention the fact they really help you with those first few months of motherhood. Well, we’ll see how it goes.

Holiday Photos, Birth Announcements and Custom Calenders

Trish — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 04:10:21 +0000

This is the time of year when parents all over the world are clicking constantly with digital cameras, telephones and web cams. Pictures of your little ones at the holidays are just the best. There is no forced smile or well practiced joy. Its great photos time and anyone looking to make a custom printed holiday or birth gift needs to keep a few things in mind if they want that great holiday picture.

Don’t ask children to pose. Sometimes with babies we like to place them on a cute blanket or next to their favorite teddy bear but that’s as far as it should go. Surrounded by wrapped gifts and pretty lights most children provide plenty of opportunity for natural but wonderful images. Be patient and let life happen.

Take a few test pictures to analyze the light situation. I think all of us have grabbed the camera as a baby reaches out to touch the Christmas tree only to discover we had the wrong setting and the low lights of the tree make for a blurred shadowy image. Test the light in your holiday decorated home at different times of the day so you can be sure of the right setting when it counts.

Space out holiday accents. If all your holiday lights, decorations, gifts etc. are crowded into one spare corner of the living room getting a good shot with the child or children is harder than you think. Place holiday cards around door frames and archways, place holiday figurines on table tops and accent pieces and of course spread out the twinkle lights for overall ambiance. This not only looks better its increases the opportunity for good images.

Another fun thing to do at the holidays is give that baby or toddler a camera of their own. My little guy has produced some fascinating and pretty images at the holidays. A focus in on chubby little fingers reaching out for a twinkle light, a close up of a tree decoration and a box of unpacked ornaments are just a few images my ten month old produced. Grab a disposable camera or a cheap digital and let baby help in the custom printing.

Holiday Gifts for the Mom to Be

Trish — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 04:04:39 +0000

Well if you are taking a break from organizing the baby shower that’s good. Its the holiday season and you have a long list of things to do and buy. But what about your poor friend or family member who is heavily pregnant, uncomfortable and emotional? Why not get a few stocking stuffers for the mom to be? After all in a few short weeks or months it will be all about baby.

Foot bath and pedicure sets. Now some pregnant folk can’t see their feet but some can. For someone suffering from swollen ankles or foot pain due to the extra weight they are carrying around a foot bath is an ideal pampering gift. Some scrubs and creams for those tired feet would be nice too.

Chocolate. Okay so mommy may be emotional and this is not a good idea for every pregnant person but for some it can be a nice holiday indulgence. You don’t have to buy a lot just buy something nice. Go with a small box of truffles or a hand dipped variety. This will help mom feel special while she embraces her sweet side.

A massage. Some places specialize in offering massage to pregnant women and this will make a great gift. Call your local spas and see what packages they have on offer

Bubble bath sets. I don’t know about you but when I was pregnant laying in a cool bath relaxed me enormously; at least until I tried to get out. Choose an organic bath set or some high end bath oils. Throw in a candle or two and you’ve bought your friend a quiet night at home. Home made soap is always appreciated.

Being pregnant is such a roller coaster and feeling good can be hard at times. Pamper the expectant mom in your life this holiday season. You don’t know how much your efforts will be appreciated.

Announcing the Naming Ceremony: Christening Announcements

Trish — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:27:10 +0000

A lot of people have their newborn child christened or baptized or in some other way ritual sanctified or blessed by a religious institution. Often this is to give them an extra spiritual title or name or just to official welcome them into the church. But its also an opportunity for some more baby focused printing. We announce births so why not christenings? Making a christening invite more like an announcement gives it extra formality and creates a keepsake.

The easiest way to do this is by taking a birth announcement template and giving it a few tweaks.

Begin by choosing a simple or religiously themed birth announcement template from the online printer’s website. Even a plain template with space for an uploaded photo is fine. You can always insert text boxes for additional wording. There is nothing wrong with choosing a template that reflects your baby’s nursery décor but it looks nicer to keep the graphics and clip art to a minimum.

Use the text areas on the birth announcement template to type in the christening details. This could include: the name of the church, the date and time of the event, the name of the person conducting the ritual, the names of the parents, godparents and grandparents, the religious name (if any) given to the child and perhaps a few lines of verse. Always check your facts and spelling.

Be sure to order as many christening announcements as you do birth announcements so that everyone gets a copy of both. The birth announcement and the christening card are both initial keepsakes of your baby’s life. Everyone will want one.

Custom Bulk Printing: Invites, Announcements, Mommy Cards

Trish — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:20:56 +0000

When you go to order your baby shower invites think about all the different custom printing you are going to need in the next few months and get everything in one go. And don’t forget about you. After you have designed the thank yous and the announcement make yourself some mommy business cards to use as inserts and for future play date planning.

A lot of online printers offer the package deal for baby related printing these days saving you money on shipping and getting you bulk discounts. A popular mix is the baby shower invitation and matching thank you card or the birth announcement and matching stationery. With careful template choices you can also add a mommy card to the mix. And why not custom address labels and stationery?

Try and create some sort of over arching theme when buying your custom baby printing. It could be a motif or certain piece of clip art. It could be the image of your new baby you choose. Maybe its a color scheme or pattern that reflects baby’s new room? This is like personal branding or new promotion if you will.

And be sure you do get the best discount on your custom printing. If you are five dollars away from free shipping spend five more dollars. It will be cheaper in the long run. Read all of the price list to find out where in the printing amounts you get the best price break. Working out cost per piece can be very helpful. And don’t forget to Google coupon codes before checking out.

In a few weeks or months you will be a mom and buying in bulk will quickly become second nature. Start a little earlier and save yourself some time and money while creating custom cuteness.

Baby Shower Surprise: Gifts for the New Mom

Trish — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 05:34:54 +0000

Having a baby shower is great because you get so much stuff for your baby you don’t have to worry about things for the first few months of their life. This is a good thing because you’ll be too exhausted to shop. But the mom to be also deserves a gift right? If baby is already sorted out and there are a few pennies left over or you just have a desire to go shopping again why not consider a gift for mommy? There are lots of things that would make perfect gifts for the new mom.

Spa treatments and pampering sessions. Whether it’s a pedicure or a massage, something spa-ish for mommy is a great idea. You may want to insist she use the gift before baby arrives though. Who knows when she’ll get a chance otherwise.

Bath lotions and potions. I like the organic bath sets but you could go with bath oils, bubble bath or shower supplies. Include a follow up body spray and a scented candle to give mom a really nice relaxing bath. She’s going to need it.

Babysitting coupons. Hey it may sound cheesy and cheap but I assure you as a mother this is a blessing from above. Once you get passed the ‘can’t be away from baby for a second’ stage you are going to want some time with other adults. Knowing your friends and family want to babysit before you need them eliminates any awkwardness in asking. Yes ladies it’s okay to ask for help when you are a new mom. Why? Because it’s hard!

A word of advice? Don’t get the new mom gift cards as baby shower presents. There is no way they will actually use them to buy stuff for them. If you have to go the gift card route make it for a store or service that baby couldn’t possibly use.

What to Put on the Baby Registry: Basic Decisions

Trish — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:53:21 +0000

We are organizing this baby shower for a second time mom and stuck deciding whether or not to include a list of needed items with the baby shower invite. Whether it’s the first, second, third or fourth baby you always need stuff right at the beginning of a baby’s life. What that stuff is depends on what you already have but if you are a second time mom you do have a better idea about what you will actually use in the coming weeks and months. This mommy has a girl and is expecting a baby boy. Here’s a few things I would put on that list.

Onesies for three months to 12 months. I say skip the newborn stuff, especially with a second time mom. Most second babies are smaller than their older siblings and newborn stuff really only lasts a few weeks, sometimes days.

Receiving blankets. I used these as burp rags, spill cleaners, baby wipers and everything else you can think of. I suggest flour sack towels as a more practical alternative to the pastel colored options at the local mega store. I wouldn’t worry too much about specifying an amount because these things have a thousand uses. I cut up my baby’s old ones and use them as rags; great money saver.

Lotions and potions for mom and baby. By this stage mom knows what diaper creams work, what baby lotions she prefers and what shampoo she prefers for her child. Ask mom and get her a supply. Consider getting mom some bath goodies too. She’ll need to relax real soon. Hand cream is great after all that diaper related hand washing.

Feeding supplies. Whether mommy is nursing or bottle feeding she’s going to want new feeding supplies. Of course some of the old bottles may work but new in this case would be much better. Ask mom what she needs. With so many types and choices these days it can be an expensive mistake if you don’t check with mom first.

Diapers. I say get a supply of diapers for up to three months. It would be great to get mom diapers for the whole first year but you don’t know how fast baby will grow and a year’s supply of diapers will take up a lot of very valuable space.

I’m sure there are a lot more things you can add to this list depending on the mom, her financial situation and where she lives. I’m a big fan of babysitting coupons. Now that sounds like a wonderful gift. Can I have a second shower?

Handling the Awkward: Birth Announcement Situations

Trish — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 23:52:51 +0000

These days the nuclear family isn’t what it used to be and old fashioned ideas of what comprises a parent and a family addition is in a constant state of flux. But that’s okay, progress is awesome its just a matter of taking the classics and making a few adjustments like in the case of birth announcements. Modern birth announcements cater to every type of family; its just a matter of figuring out how.

Single/Separated and Divorced Parents—There is no reason for not being married to take away from your baby’s birth announcement. It is perfectly acceptable to include just the mother’s name. If the father is around and you would like to add their name, always get permission first.

Gay and Lesbian Couples—For some couples sharing their happiest of news may be made difficult by other people’s perceptions of their choices and family unit. So what? Be sure to include the full names of both parents on the announcement and the date of baby’s birth. A child’s birth announcement should never be a political matter.

Widowed Parent—For the recently bereaved parent (all too often these days with military families) a birth announcement is a good way to show you are getting back on your feet. You can include dad’s name if you want to as well as the grandparents. This will make people very happy and realize that in the midst of sadness there can still be great joy.

Adoption—In most cases parents know the date of their adopted child’s birth and can place it on the birth announcement. If the birth date is not know the official adoption date is a perfectly acceptable alternative.

Whether you worry that your friends and family will be uncomfortable with your new family situation or awkward about explaining it baby is what really matters. A birth announcement is a way of expressing your joy at the new life you are lucky enough to care for. No matter your circumstances celebrate your baby as much as you can.

Timely Tots: Early Birth Announcement Mailings

Trish — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 23:44:03 +0000

Just two weeks after the birth of their baby girl, my friends in California sent out their birth announcements. I always say send them before baby is six weeks old but most folks don’t hit that deadline. To receive announcements super early is rare but it tells me that people are starting to think ahead.

Having a baby in today’s world is a little hectic. Women are trying to hold down jobs, go to school, have a family and make a little time for themselves. In reality baby comes first and baby takes a lot of work. Planning and designing your birth announcements as far in advance of the birth as possible will make you look like supermom after the birth. Everyone will be wondering how you got the time to design and order announcements.

Another reason for early birth announcements is an attentive husband with a penchant for printing. My friend’s husband may have played a big part in the early birth announcements. Having already designed their own family motif during their wedding preparation, he would simply have to transfer elements either into a new design template or upload them to the online printer’s website. And of course he would have hundreds of pictures to choose from. Yes a proud father can help get the announcements out.

Sending out your announcements early not only ensures your friends and family receive a picture of the new baby as soon as possible it sets a precedent for you. Being a parent is all about planning and then getting things done in the rush. Your birth announcements are a good sign of how you to intend to go on. So start planning now for your baby’s birth announcements; when the time comes you’ll be glad you did.