Anyone doing birth announcements? « Back to Group Discussions

[SamiPolizzi]

Definitely something I wouldn't normally bother with, but since I just moved across the country, I think my family would probably appreciate it. 

Anyone know of a good website to have them done?

[writermama12]

I don't know about a website. With DS2 (21 mo ago) I handmade mine with a "nest and eggs" stamp and folded cardstock and taped in a wallet sized photo of baby we made at a Ritz camera cheaply. If there is a free or very cheap website I might consider doing that because of convenience. I like sending things in the mail, tidings and letters/updates and things. 

[buko]

Shutterfly or Tinyprints?  I am going to do postcards to save on postage, etc.

[firespiritmelody]

I'm thinking about buying a cute custom "template" on etsy and then having them printed at costco.

[spughy]

Last time we just did a special photo print run at the local photofinishing place - basically just a picture of the baby with a space underneath to write on.  That worked pretty well - most of our peeps find out via e-mail or facebook, it's just for the rellies in the dark ages who have no internet (and frankly, I don't even know if we have any of those left now...)

[LightForest]

I have a friend who used Tinyprints for her Christmas cards this year and they came out SO NICE. Amazing print quality on nice matte paper with rounded corners, and a nice design template. This made me really tempted to do something nice for this baby. I just feel like there's something really special about having a printed thing to stick on the fridge. And I love getting birth announcements in the mail So much more special to me than getting an email or, gawd forbid, a text message (yes I've seen it happen).

We also recently moved and we never actually sent out anything with our new address on it (not even an email - oops) - so this could kill two birds with one stone.

[Melany]

I had planed on it, but mostly because I did one for both of the older kids and it's the first photo in their photo album. Over the years, I've printed out some of my favorite photos and added to an album that is dedicated to just them. I didn't do a baby book, but the album serves as a record of their first 5 years and they have both always enjoyed peaking through it with me. There are blanks where I write in the names of the people who are with them in the photo or where it was taken. There's little events, big events. I'm not a big scrap-booker, but it's easy enough to keep up a photo album. I just have to remember to send for prints every once in a while. 

[LightForest]

Melany, we did something similar for DD. I used iPhoto to have a baby book of her first 3 months printed -- no words, just photos. It's more expensive to have the books printed from iPhoto/Apple (compared to shutterfly or whatever), but they look AMAZING. And we had a book of wedding photos done in the same size/format/layout, so at this point the design consistency is nice.

MIL has made DD a few board books that DD loves also. MIL just printed up photos and glued them into blank board books that she bought, then she wrote words with colored sharpie markers. I've looked into having a board book version of DD's baby book made, but it's a little expensive so I've held back. (I did find one company that prints custom board books, which strikes me as an awesomely fun idea...)

We've also done photo calendars, which were a big hit with the grandparents. And if I ever find a coupon code for a discount on iPhoto book printing I need to have duplicates of DD's baby book printed for the grandparents... (Being able to print book duplicates to give as gifts is a big bonus to using a printing service like this!!)

All of those options are too expensive (and time consuming) to make and give on any grand scale, though. I would love some pretty little photo card to make and mail out to our far-flung friends and family. I worked in design/production for years, so I really appreciate a nice design and print quality on high quality materials. At this point in my life though, I'm not interested in personally doing all the work it takes to achieve those high standards . I'd much rather pay someone a few bucks to make it amazing for me. I think this is a sign that I'm getting old and lazy.

[Melany]

Originally Posted by LightForest 

 . I'd much rather pay someone a few bucks to make it amazing for me. I think this is a sign that I'm getting old and lazy.

I disagree on the old and lazy. I'd say "smarter about the use of your free time" is a better choice of words... :)

[LightForest]

Originally Posted by Melany 

Originally Posted by LightForest 

 . I'd much rather pay someone a few bucks to make it amazing for me. I think this is a sign that I'm getting old and lazy.

I disagree on the old and lazy. I'd say "smarter about the use of your free time" is a better choice of words... :)

Yes yes you are totally correct. I think I just read too many mommy blogs that make me feel like a slacker. Gotta stop doing that to myself.

[withlittlelungs]

I'm planning on it, but we will see. I am horrible at sending things. We haven't sent Christmas cards out for the past 3 years even though they have been finished. 
I was looking at tinyprints and shutterfly today. Or you can order a custom template off of Etsy, but often times you will have to get them printed yourself. 

[SamiPolizzi]

Now that I'm thinking about it, compiling a list of addresses seems like an overwhelming task. I have a huge family and then once I add in friends it gets even more ridiculous. :/

[mariee]

I'm such a sucker for this kind of stuff!  Yes, definitely sending out birth announcements :-)  Surely, I will be spending too much money on this (!), but I have some picked out on Tinyprints that have the rounded corners like LightForest described.  I think I'm mostly psyched that I found a site that has some nice alternatives to the standard pink/ blue options.  I fell in love with an eggplant purple one and now there's just no way I can't use it.....

[LightForest]

Originally Posted by mariee 

I'm such a sucker for this kind of stuff!  Yes, definitely sending out birth announcements :-)  Surely, I will be spending too much money on this (!), but I have some picked out on Tinyprints that have the rounded corners like LightForest described.  I think I'm mostly psyched that I found a site that has some nice alternatives to the standard pink/ blue options.  I fell in love with an eggplant purple one and now there's just no way I can't use it.....

Ooh mariee, now I'm excited to see which style you've got your eyes on. I've looked at their site but I got overwhelmed with all the choices!

[cocoanib]

I didn't do any with babygirl. I kind of thought of doing some this time around, but it probably won't happen.

I'll just send a nice email announcement with a picture :)

[velveeta]

I have never done any announcements. I always intend to! Alas. When friends send the tiny prints ones, they are always so cute! I'd recommend those.

What a great idea about the apple iBooks. I spend a lot of time with my kids scrolling through photos on the phone. A lot of time! LOL! So, I know we'd enjoy a book.

[mariee]

http://www.tinyprints.com/shop/purple--girls.htm

The lavender/ purple options are here.  I like the "Drifting Blooms" design in the top row....not so much for the girly flowers, but because of the color!  

I'll admit, I'm also prompted to send announcements because I have an awesome photographer friend who will be doing newborn shots of the baby.  

[SamSarah]

Originally Posted by withlittlelungs 

I'm planning on it, but we will see. I am horrible at sending things. We haven't sent Christmas cards out for the past 3 years even though they have been finished. 
I was looking at tinyprints and shutterfly today. Or you can order a custom template off of Etsy, but often times you will have to get them printed yourself. 

Withlittlelungs:  Is this something you could ask a friend to do/ or promt/ or otherwise support  - one who is asking what they can do to help?  I suspect you have friends for whom this kind of project (even if it's just the going to the post office, but stamps drop) would be a delight.   Just a thought.

[cabbitdancer]

I like the idea of announcements, but I never sent any with my first, so I'd feel like I'm cheating her if I sent them with the second. XD

[mariee]

Cabbit, you could always do the kind of announcement that focuses on both children.... like photos of them together with something like "Anna is a big sister now!  Welcome (new baby name)" kind of thing...  

I've seen several of those and they are pretty cute :-)