There’s a little one growing in Mom’s belly, you’re on cloud nine, and of course you can’t wait to share the wonderful news with everyone. Announcing it to relatives and friends is always exciting and deserves to be remembered as a special moment—both for you and for those receiving the happy news. There are many ways to share this joy: here are some original ideas. Then let your imagination run wild!

My first: when is the best time to reveal the sweet secret?

The main rule is: wait until you feel ready! There’s no “right” or “wrong” time to tell family and friends that a little human will soon turn your days upside down with feedings and diapers—and make the lives of grandparents and uncles even more beautiful, especially if they’ve been eagerly awaiting this moment.

Some couples choose to share the news right after seeing a positive pregnancy test (also to spare Mom the awkwardness of casually refusing a piece of sushi or a glass of wine). Others prefer to wait until the end of the first trimester and a confirmation from the gynecologist that the baby is developing well.

Are you ready? Can’t wait to share the joy? Go for it!

When is the best time to announce the pregnancy at work?

In this case as well, there’s no set rule for telling your employer and colleagues that—even if they don’t know it yet—there’s a "new colleague" in the office with you.

That said, many people wait until the third month of pregnancy, not only out of superstition but also because the first trimester is generally the most delicate. If something were to go wrong, you could avoid the added burden of explaining it to everyone during such a sensitive time.

The law requires the expectant mother to notify the start of pregnancy before the mandatory leave. even though it does not specify how long in advance.

And after the third month, your belly will start to show under your clothes, making it much harder to keep it a secret...

And now here are 10 ways to announce the pregnancy!

At work, of course, you’ll need to communicate it more formally. But with family and friends, you can let your creativity run wild!

You might even choose different ways to share the news depending on who you’re telling—grandparents, future uncles and aunts, or a couple of close friends.

Let’s look at some original ways to make the announcement.

1. The T-shirts Many people love the idea of showing up to see relatives and friends in matching couple T-shirts (one for the future mom and one for the future dad). On the back, a phrase is printed in two parts: “We are waiting” and “A baby!”. You can greet everyone, then suddenly turn around to reveal the good news! Practice at home first so you don’t turn at different times and confuse everyone.

2. A DIY box. All you need is a cute box with a lid, maybe decorated by you with a little message. Inside, add unmistakable clues: a bodysuit, a pair of tiny socks, a pacifier—and, if you’d like, even the pregnancy test! If the timing is close to a celebration like Christmas or a birthday, why not take advantage of it?

3. The cookies . Do you like to bake? Put together a lovely box of cookies. You can make cookies shaped like a pacifier, or in the shape of the letters “b” and “e” so they can spell the word “baby”. Who will be the first to wonder why those particular letters were chosen for that charming box of fragrant cookies?

4. The postcard . Are you coming back from a weekend at the beach or in the mountains? Take advantage of the moment! “Mom, Dad, look at the beautiful places we’ve seen!”—but instead of showing a photo of a stunning mountain landscape or crystal-clear sea... ta-da! Show the first ultrasound.

5. A puzzle Many photo centers can turn any photo into a puzzle. Choose a meaningful picture or create a message on your computer, such as “Little explorer on the way!”, “You will become grandparents”, or “A little bean is growing”. Bring it to the photo center and have it turned into a puzzle. It will be fun to watch grandparents, uncles, or friends rack their brains as they put it together!

6. The video . Are the people you want to tell far away? Make a video. It can be funny, ironic, or touching. In the second case, you could also edit together your best moments as a couple and add a sweet song in the background. The grand finale? The ultrasound!
7. Add a seat at the table . Dinner with friends? Set the table for one more person. They’ll naturally wonder: who’s missing? That’s your cue to tell them that the person you’re waiting for is actually already here.
8. The little brother or sister in cahoots . Do you already have a child? They can be the one to share the good news with relatives and friends. How? Have them make a meaningful drawing to give as a gift, or have them wear a T-shirt with the words "big brother" or "big sister": the message can’t be misunderstood.
9. The writing on the tummy . Get non-toxic, water-based paints and have fun decorating your growing belly with a message or drawing. At the right moment, lift your shirt to reveal the “masterpiece”. A classic? The word “Bébé” with an arrow pointing toward the navel. But if you’re feeling especially creative, you could even draw a baby.
10. Professional Photography In front of a professional photographer's camera, you can be photographed holding a small board with a message, such as “little superhero on the way!”, or a stuffed animal, or even pacifiers and bottles. Then you can have the photo printed and placed in decorated envelopes to hand directly to the recipients of the good news. Remember to print a special copy for yourself—it will be a wonderful keepsake.