# Ideas to tell grandparents about a new baby **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 11, 2005, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133 "2005-12-11T14:02:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/1 "2005-12-11T14:02:06Z")
ElzaHub and I found out that we’re expecting:D, and very, very happy (albeit a little terrified out of our wits). I managed to convince my parents to come out for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (I’ll go back with them for a visit to see my little nephew after Christmas, as I’ve got the whole week off), and the plan is to tell both sets of grandparents on Christmas. I need ideas on HOW to tell them. We thought about wrapping up a picture of the digital pregnancy test that I took (which faded, so we can’t give them the actual test), and letting them all open them on Christmas morning. But for some reason, that doesn’t appeal to me as much anymore. Any ideas?😃 ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/2 "2005-12-11T14:16:27Z")
You could pee on a new stick… ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/3 "2005-12-11T14:22:52Z")
Congratulations!! What will the set-up be on Christmas when you plan to tell them? Will you be having brunch, dinner, etc? My sister told our family at my kids’ birthday party. I knew ahead of time and I made cupcakes upon which I put ‘B-A-B-Y’ candles. (Of course, I failed to see the whole picture and realize that some people would think that _I_ was pregnant again…but it was still a cute idea) So, tell us more about what that day will look like and I’m sure you’ll get lots of suggestions! ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/4 "2005-12-11T14:28:31Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > Congratulations!! > > What will the set-up be on Christmas when you plan to tell them? Will you be having brunch, dinner, etc? My sister told our family at my kids’ birthday party. I knew ahead of time and I made cupcakes upon which I put ‘B-A-B-Y’ candles. (Of course, I failed to see the whole picture and realize that some people would think that _I_ was pregnant again…but it was still a cute idea) > > So, tell us more about what that day will look like and I’m sure you’ll get lots of suggestions! Right now, it looks like we’ll be doing Christmas Eve with my parents at our house, and Christmas morning at ElzaHub’s parents’ house with all six of us. Which means brunch and dinner at ElzaHub’s parents’ house:). I think we’d just like something a little unique - it’s my husbands’ parents first grandchild and my parents’ second. It’s absolutely KILLING me not to call my mother and blurt it out, but we agreed to tell them all together. E. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/5 "2005-12-11T14:51:55Z")
OK, so maybe you could offer to bring a dish for brunch and give a hint that way. Spell “baby” in streusel on top of the coffee cake or something. Of course, you run the risk that people will start chowing down _before_ decoding the secret, and then you have to backtrack and explain it to them, and the moment, while not _ruined_ (because it’s a very special moment no matter how it happens), takes on a different tone altogether. You could buy them “Grandma” and “Grandpa” picture frames and instead of a photo, have a slip of paper which says something like “This space to be filled on or near [your due date].” \*\* Twickster\*\* is right, of course, that you could pee on some more sticks, but some people are a little funny about giving or getting gifts that involve urine. (Other people actually seek that out, but I don’t know any of those people are, and, well, that has little or nothing to do with your news). I was a blurter of news both times, and am not all that creative, so I don’t even know why I’m making suggestions, except that I love a good baby story. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/6 "2005-12-11T14:52:24Z")
Congratulations! Wooohooooo! I know it’s killing you, but think how excellent it would be to see their faces. I think you should buy some baby clothes, wrapped up nicely. When they open them, tell them it’s so they have a change of clothes for the baby when they baby sit. You can do something similar with bottles or baby dishes or a stuffed animal. Maybe get them a certificate to Babies R Us, tell them it’s so they can stock up. When’s your due date? Give them a calendar, with the week around circled, telling them to make sure they don’t have anything important scheduled in case they get a phone call to meet you at the hospital. Buy them a Grandparents Christmas card. Does Hallmark have Grandparent’s Christmas tree ornaments? Good luck, and Happy Gestating! ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/7 "2005-12-11T14:55:26Z")
Well, I’ve seen some good reactions on America’s Funniest Home Videos, so be sure to tape it if you can (I think they give you like $100 and a T-shirt if they use your video). You can get another pregnancy test (or two) - just make sure it’s one that won’t fade. Put it in a box that’s made for a watch or bracelet (so they think it’s jewelry) and let them open it. Or, buy a card that’s in the “For Grandparents” section. That’s the best I can do. We told all the grandparents right away. I did get my dad though - I called him up and asked, “So how are you this morning?” His response was, “Oh, I’m fine. And how are you?” “Pregnant.” Blunt and to the point. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/8 "2005-12-11T14:56:50Z")
First grandchild for at least some of the participants? Buy everyone a “grandparent” mug or something similar. Cheesy, but so is a picture of a pregnancy test. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/9 "2005-12-11T16:10:33Z")
My favourite, which I doubt will work for you, was that someone of my aquaintance gave her mother-in-law an apple. Yes, you guessed it, it was a tart green apple and their last name was Smith. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/10 "2005-12-11T16:49:48Z")
This won’t work for you, but my parents learned they were going to have a second grandchild when my brother, sister-in-law and nephew (about 3-4 at the time) visited and the nephew unzipped his jacket to reveal a t-shirt saying, “I’m going to be a big brother.” ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/11 "2005-12-11T17:03:36Z")
If you can get grandparent type Christmas cards just give them each a **Merry Christmas Grand…** and sign it with the prospective names. ---
**Author:** ![Kalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/df705f/32.png) [@Kalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalypso)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/12 "2005-12-11T17:09:59Z")
I just signed the card I gave my parents, “bec, Mr. Bec, and the beclet”. The look on their face as it dawned on them was priceless. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/13 "2005-12-11T17:10:31Z")
Wrap a place setting of baby dishes. Little cup, spoon, plate, bowl. ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/14 "2005-12-11T17:45:09Z")
“Mom, Dad. I just want you to know that you’re wonderful parents. No, not just wonderful parents, _grand_parents.” Okay, I’ve never been pregnant or wanted to be, but I love word play… ---
**Author:** ![monica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@monica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monica)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/15 "2005-12-11T17:54:00Z")
I like the mug idea. My parents did that for my grandfather when I was born. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/16 "2005-12-11T18:04:25Z")
> [@BlueKangaroo](#): > > “Mom, Dad. I just want you to know that you’re wonderful parents. No, not just wonderful parents, _grand_parents.” LOL, that’s just how my cousin told my dad she was pregnant: “Uncle Dave, I’ve always thought you were a great uncle. … Really… you’re going to be a GREAT-UNCLE.” ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/17 "2005-12-11T20:10:53Z")
Not to put a damper on things, but permanent gifts might cause extra emotional upheaval should you lose the baby. I guess it’s best not to even think of these eventualities, though - sorry! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/18 "2005-12-11T21:22:24Z")
Let’s not borrow trouble, **Dead Cat**. Unless **Elza** is in a high risk category, she’ll be posting here next September, warning us she’s on the way to the hospital because the contractions are five minutes apart. And her husband’s rolling his eyes at her because she’s _such_ a Doper. ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/19 "2005-12-11T22:07:19Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Let’s not borrow trouble, **Dead Cat**. Unless **Elza** is in a high risk category, she’ll be posting here next September, warning us she’s on the way to the hospital because the contractions are five minutes apart. And her husband’s rolling his eyes at her because she’s _such_ a Doper. Thanks, **Ivylass**. We’re not telling _everyone_ (save a few thousand Dopers;)), but we want our parents to know. I’m hoping my mom’s not upset because I’ve waited a few weeks to tell her about it instead of calling her as soon as the line came up. But ElzaHub wants to tell both sets of parents together. Love the ideas! Right now, I think we’re leaning towards the mug or the ornament. The card with the prospective names is a nice idea, too, but we haven’t even narrowed down names from about forty of them :D. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2005, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133/20 "2005-12-11T23:07:38Z")
My way was sooooo cheesy, but it made everyone laugh. I told everyone at once (besides my husband) on my birthday. I wrote out a gift tag that said “Do not open until June 2!” While I was opening my gifts, I stuck the gift tag and a bow (which I took off one of the gifts) onto my belly while everyone was dstracted with the gifts. Then, when all the gifts had been opened and everyone thanked, I looked down, “shocked”, and said: “Wait! There’s one more present! But this says I don’t get to play with it until June!” It took a minute, then my mother shrieked and everyone else caught on. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-to-tell-grandparents-about-a-new-baby/335133.md?page=2)