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Original poster

Birth announcement cards: yes or no?

42 replies

cyberminger · 24/09/2006 22:46

A friend (28wks) is dithering over whether to send out birth announcement cards when her little one arrives - her DH is dutch and apparently it's the done thing there, but I've not heard of them here at all. I'm a bit worried it may look like she's 'trawling' for presents, but then I know I'm hypersensitive about that sort of thing.
Any thoughts? (Sorry if this has come up before - can't find anything about it at the moment...)

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Clary · 26/09/2006 14:51

Yes I think it's a good idea. Also gives you something to do in hospital (as eidsvold says) if you are organised and take them with you.

I think it's very much the done thing here, especially to friends/rellies at a distance who otherwise might not hear. Never felt it was a present trawl tbh.

eidsvold · 27/09/2006 01:45

I had the midwife chuckling at me writing birth announcement cards - but hey five days in hosp with dd2 and a woman who snored like anything next to me - no real chance of catching up on sleep during the day, had to occupy myself somehow.

beansprout · 27/09/2006 02:55

A nice idea but really not something to stress about if you don't have the time or the energy.

Miaou · 27/09/2006 07:11

I like getting birth announcement cards - otherwise I will promptly forget said baby's birthday, weight, name - it acts as a reminder to me! I copy all the details down into a birthday book too along with the year of their birth so that I always remember how old they are when it comes to birthday cards.

Baretoes · 27/09/2006 08:49

I think a birth announcement card is a lovely thing BUT I did receive one from my Dutch friend that specifically mentioned that they would like money as a gift - we were all appalled! I think as long as it doesn't mention presents, then she'll be fine. I was assured it was a Dutch thing.....?!

eidsvold · 27/09/2006 09:00

would never intend it to be a present seeking exercise - more an information sharing.

Original poster
cyberminger · 27/09/2006 09:50

This is all really interesting! I've never started a thread before and it's great to get so much advice. That's a fab idea about doing them in hospital, Eidsvold. Hopefully she won't have to spend long in there, but just in case...

It sounds like birth announcements are part of the whole birth thing in Holland (and Australia? Anywhere else?). Do people tend to write something like 'no gifts please', or just not mention it? Does it vary for first vs second/third babies? We got inundated with 0-3 babygros for DS1, and couldn't wear them fast enough ...

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PinkTulips · 27/09/2006 10:19

Baretoes, thats awful! i've seen hudreds of dutch birth announcment cards (my grandmother kept every on ehse ever got) and NONE of them has ever mentioned gifts.... really appalling and definitely not the norm!

Clary · 27/09/2006 16:41

cyberminger, in UK too! I'm not in holland or Oz!!

motherinferior · 27/09/2006 16:44

I sent out an email to everyone I could possibly think of (in DD2's case I was still bombed on gas and air, as I'd given birth downstairs about four hours previously) - I just knew a card would be beyond me. I love getting birth announcements.

SoupDragon · 27/09/2006 17:00

When I sent out BabyDragon's annoucements, I put "no presents required" at the bottom. Obviouly I didn;t mind receiving presents but I didn't want people to feel obliged to buy one.

Clary · 27/09/2006 17:27

oho! MI! There you are.

Did you know there is a search party out for you?

here

Original poster
cyberminger · 28/09/2006 21:33

Sorry Clary, no offence intended. 'Tis obvious from these lovely posts that it's pretty popular here too. I'd just not heard of the cards thing before, which is why I'd been looking for some reassurance...

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eidsvold · 28/09/2006 23:16

Here in Aus - when you send the cards out - there is not expectation of a gift - it is just to let friends and family know about the birth - and to give them the details in writing - esp if they are like me and have a crap memory!!

Original poster
cyberminger · 02/10/2006 20:16

Hokay, have had a bit of a rummage, and DF (? Friend?) loves three of the storkpost cards. umm, here (if I can be bright enough to get it to work this time...)

Has anyone tried these guys?

OP posts:
kiwibella · 02/10/2006 21:21

they are lovely... nice and bright!!

kiwibella · 02/10/2006 21:25

just looking at the other site - announceit. These are nice too but I kind of feel like you could make something similar yourself using word?!?

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