Q: What are some fun ways to tell friends and family that we are expecting?

Once you get the news that you’re pregnant, you might want to shout it from the rooftops, or you might put off telling people until after you get to twelve weeks and the chance of miscarriage is reduced.

Whenever you want to start spreading the news, there is a certain order you should tell people in. Of course your husband should be the first to know, followed by the grandparents. Traditionally you would tell your parents first, and then your husband’s parents, but this often depends on how close you live to either set and which ones you see first.

Once you’ve told your parents the news, your siblings should be next in line. Finally you should tell close friends, especially those you might want to ask to be godparents. Even if you are very close to some of your work colleagues you might want to wait to tell them until you are ready to tell your boss. You don’t want them to hear the news on the office gossip grapevine.

Here are ten fun ways to tell your parents, siblings and friends the good news:

Wait until you have your first ultrasound and then have copies of the ultrasound picture framed in cute baby frames for the grandparents. Include a note that says something like “Looking forward to meeting you on (expected delivery date) Granny and Granddad, lots of love from the Bump.”

Wrap up a baby gift such as a bib that says “I love my Auntie” to give to your sister. Sign the card from “Your Niece or Nephew to be.”

If your siblings already have children maybe get them to tell their parents. Nothing is cuter than your child telling you “Mummy, Daddy, you’re going to be an Auntie and an Uncle.”

If you are seeing a group of friends or family, wear one of those maternity t-shirts that says something like “Boy or girl?” “Baby coming soon,” or “First Baby 01” and wait for the reaction. You can be sure the girls will pick up the clue faster than the guys but it may take people a while to ask you about it.

The group photo method is becoming a classic way to announce your pregnancy to a group of friends, and it works every time. Get your friends together for a meal or other event and suggest a group photo. Have your husband collect up people’s cameras to take a number of photos.

Each time he takes a photo he should say “Everyone say cheese!” The final picture should be with your camera and he should say “Everyone say “Julie (or whatever your name is) is pregnant.”” It may take a few seconds to sink in but you’ll get some great photos of your friends’ reactions.

If you have a family birthday around the time you want to announce your pregnancy, make a birthday cake and ice it with the message “Congratulations Granddad / Auntie / Cousin (whatever relationship the family member will be to your new baby).” It might create confusion to begin with but it won’t take the penny long to drop.

If you have older children that will understand, you should probably tell them about the baby before you tell anybody else. Get them to spread the word by getting them a ‘Brother to be’ or ‘Sister to be’ t-shirt to wear to a family event.

Have some personalized fortune cookies made for family and friends including the prediction “you will be visiting a newborn baby on …” and add your expected delivery date.

If you have a spare room that you are going to use as the nursery, redecorate it and add a few baby essentials, but don’t go overboard at this stage. Invite your family or friends over and casually tell them they can leave their coats “in the baby’s room.” Just wait for their reaction.

Have a party and leave little baby related clues for your guests. Serve a buffet which includes sugar dummies, stork biscuits and sandwiches shaped like booties. Put a sign on the buffet table that says something like “Help yourselves, oh and there’s a bun in the oven.”

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