first birthday announcements - not party invites - wording?

[Anonymous]

I admittedly haven't read all the comments, but I have friends who send their "Christmas letter" at different times of the year (I.e. Whenever they have time), and think even a printed letter/update and thanks for love and support in a challenging time is better than a birthday announcement (-'d can include cute pics of the baby)

But yeah, a birthday announcement is weird. Everyone remembers more or less when your kid was born.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a puppy that just one turned and wanted to send an announcement just for fun. I am 73 years old and the Nugget has brought such joy into my life. She is an adorable 5 pound Yorkie and I just wanted to share my joy with friends near and far. I missed sending a "Just arrived" card, so I thought this would be just as appropriate. I could also includ a current picture. I never imagined that it would be so controversial.
Em & Nugget

Awesome for you to do. Not so much with a baby. Proceed.

[Anonymous]

This kid is now 7...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This kid is now 7...

The pathetic thing for me is that I remember this post from 2010!

[Anonymous]

I am so amazed at all the RUDE, bold, blunt comments on here to this poor woman.... total judgement down the list, for a stranger you don't even know, who was just asking for advice on what she could write for an announcement instead of an invitation!!!

First of all - If you want to send out a baby's 1st bday ANNOUNCEMENT out, then do so! Forget about all of these other judgy folks on here that have nothing nice to say. It's YOUR baby who is turning one, your early motherhood experience and memory to celebrate!

And to make you feel better -- I, myself, was actually googling "One year baby announcements" myself, wanting to know the same exact idea as you! So you are NOT alone. I hadn't even thought of doing it for the expectation of gifts. That never even crossed my mind! I am just incredibly excited about my daughter turning one, and am getting professional photos done of her, and can't wait to share them with close family/friends. (And I'm NOT on facebook, so I'm not into the social media craze like most people are) I never thought I'd ever be able to have children, and at 41yrs old, I finally gave birth to my baby girl. Sooooo YES, I happen to be a mom that is just so over-joyed about sending out some sort of bday announcement, because these milestones are huge and special for me. I don't need people JUDGING me for it, just like you shouldn't be judging this poor woman!!! And in a similar case to what she said... my daughter's birthday is March, so waiting to send them in Christmas cards, as people mentioned, is a really long way off.

Anyway - I just saw this posting and was appalled at all of the hurtful, rude comments made to this woman.... and I felt the need to stand up for her!

Learn some manners people... if you don't agree, that's fine... but give your opinion in a TACTFUL KIND WAY, instead of throwing harsh judgements and assuming what her intentions must be, or that they're in any way from a selfish mindset...... other than simply a mother's love and excitement to share!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so amazed at all the RUDE, bold, blunt comments on here to this poor woman.... total judgement down the list, for a stranger you don't even know, who was just asking for advice on what she could write for an announcement instead of an invitation!!!

First of all - If you want to send out a baby's 1st bday ANNOUNCEMENT out, then do so! Forget about all of these other judgy folks on here that have nothing nice to say. It's YOUR baby who is turning one, your early motherhood experience and memory to celebrate!

And to make you feel better -- I, myself, was actually googling "One year baby announcements" myself, wanting to know the same exact idea as you! So you are NOT alone. I hadn't even thought of doing it for the expectation of gifts. That never even crossed my mind! I am just incredibly excited about my daughter turning one, and am getting professional photos done of her, and can't wait to share them with close family/friends. (And I'm NOT on facebook, so I'm not into the social media craze like most people are) I never thought I'd ever be able to have children, and at 41yrs old, I finally gave birth to my baby girl. Sooooo YES, I happen to be a mom that is just so over-joyed about sending out some sort of bday announcement, because these milestones are huge and special for me. I don't need people JUDGING me for it, just like you shouldn't be judging this poor woman!!! And in a similar case to what she said... my daughter's birthday is March, so waiting to send them in Christmas cards, as people mentioned, is a really long way off.

Anyway - I just saw this posting and was appalled at all of the hurtful, rude comments made to this woman.... and I felt the need to stand up for her!

Learn some manners people... if you don't agree, that's fine... but give your opinion in a TACTFUL KIND WAY, instead of throwing harsh judgements and assuming what her intentions must be, or that they're in any way from a selfish mindset...... other than simply a mother's love and excitement to share!

I’m sure the woman is over it by now...her kid will be 10 this year!

[Anonymous]

This has got to be the ultimate zombie thread. It has come back to life so many times. Is OP re-opening it with comments or are all the newly outraged people unique individuals? We’ll never know but I guess we’ll see this thread again in 1-2 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so amazed at all the RUDE, bold, blunt comments on here to this poor woman.... total judgement down the list, for a stranger you don't even know, who was just asking for advice on what she could write for an announcement instead of an invitation!!!

First of all - If you want to send out a baby's 1st bday ANNOUNCEMENT out, then do so! Forget about all of these other judgy folks on here that have nothing nice to say. It's YOUR baby who is turning one, your early motherhood experience and memory to celebrate!

And to make you feel better -- I, myself, was actually googling "One year baby announcements" myself, wanting to know the same exact idea as you! So you are NOT alone. I hadn't even thought of doing it for the expectation of gifts. That never even crossed my mind! I am just incredibly excited about my daughter turning one, and am getting professional photos done of her, and can't wait to share them with close family/friends. (And I'm NOT on facebook, so I'm not into the social media craze like most people are) I never thought I'd ever be able to have children, and at 41yrs old, I finally gave birth to my baby girl. Sooooo YES, I happen to be a mom that is just so over-joyed about sending out some sort of bday announcement, because these milestones are huge and special for me. I don't need people JUDGING me for it, just like you shouldn't be judging this poor woman!!! And in a similar case to what she said... my daughter's birthday is March, so waiting to send them in Christmas cards, as people mentioned, is a really long way off.

Anyway - I just saw this posting and was appalled at all of the hurtful, rude comments made to this woman.... and I felt the need to stand up for her!

Learn some manners people... if you don't agree, that's fine... but give your opinion in a TACTFUL KIND WAY, instead of throwing harsh judgements and assuming what her intentions must be, or that they're in any way from a selfish mindset...... other than simply a mother's love and excitement to share!

Yes, you can do what you want. But you have to know how you will be perceived. If I got your 1 Year announcement I wouldn’t be thinking “here’s a mom that so happy and grateful to be a mom”, I’d be thinking “gift grab”.

If you want to share your happiness, then send a nice hand written card/letter talking about your life in general. Ask about or comment on the recipients life (how are you doing after the surgery?), then talk about having a wonderful birthday for your baby. Then end by saying how happy and grateful you are to be his Mom.

[Anonymous]

I’m shocked at the amount of people that aren’t understanding why you would want to send a one year announcement. Maybe it’s because I’m from the south?????, but this is totally normal. We do announcements for everything! However announcements are after the fact. Such as an engagement Announcement is done after the proposal. A marriage announcement is done after the wedding. A birth announcement is done after the birth. Rule of thumb is an invitation is before hand and an announcement is sent after. Inviting everyone we know and love to a one year olds birthday party would be overwhelming for them. An announcement is absolutely acceptable. It’s a way to let all of your friends and family/extended family know what’s going on in your life and to make them feel included. It is not a gift grab? Such a weird mentality. Send your invites to whomever you want to invite to the actual party before hand and send your announcement after the party to all of those people that you want to include in this happy time in your families life. My Grandmother, who is a classic southern belle, will hound me for announcements to send to all of her sisters and cousins and all of those family members that we just don’t see on a regular basis. She would be appalled if I didn’t send out an actual, tangible announcement for everyone to hold in their hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eek, I didn't think of that.
(OP here.)

I was thinking of people that we are not inviting to the little party, who live out of town.
I don't think the message, 'no gifts please,' would apply to an announcement, but I wonder if there is something else I could write in.

I don't want to be mean, but this is just weird to me. I've never received a first birthday "announcement." If these out-of-town people are relatives or close friends, they'll know DC is turning one. If they're not that close, they're going to think it's weird.

Also, I know this is not your intention, but I would interpret it as a gift request. And I'm not typically a cynical person.

My advice: skip it.

+1,000
No matter how you do this it screams gift grab. It’s tacky. Send a nice handwritten note and a picture of your child to the select few that you’re trying to reach if you really feel that you have to do this. Otherwise I would just skip it.

[Anonymous]

Wow, sorry this is like 10 yrs later and I’m googling what to put on first birthday announcements, not invites. I think this is a great idea, and party already passed and I’m looking for ideas on what to write haha how did you end up wording the announcements?

(Can’t believe all these people didn’t like this idea. What a bunch of weirdos )

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I admittedly haven't read all the comments, but I have friends who send their "Christmas letter" at different times of the year (I.e. Whenever they have time), and think even a printed letter/update and thanks for love and support in a challenging time is better than a birthday announcement (-'d can include cute pics of the baby)

But yeah, a birthday announcement is weird. Everyone remembers more or less when your kid was born.

So not true! Why would you think everyone would remember when their kid was born? Everyone is busy with their own lives. Unless it is immediate family, it shouldn’t even be expected for people to remember when everyone’s kids were born. That’s just silly 😂

[Anonymous]

This is trolling for gifts. OP, if there is an outpouring of interest due to some tragic family circumstances, send an email with a few pics attached and a short update, thanking people for thinking of you. Can be mass email or better yet same email but sent individually to each recipient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really don't think it's necessary to send out an announcement that your child is turning 1. Birth announcements are one thing, but bday announcements will make people feel like you're asking for gifts. And most people don't expect to be invited to a 1-year old's bday party, especially if they live out of town. I wouldn't bother with these if I were you. A holiday card is a more appropriate place to mention that you child turned one during the last year.

+1

If I got a birthday announcement, I'd see it as a gift grab. Nothing you could write on it would change that, because there's no other reason to send one. If you told me you had a kid and we're close enough that I care, I'd already know the kid was turning one.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you send out some pictures after her birthday with a little note saying Just wanted to share with you some photos of Larla from her first birthday and that we hope you are well and staying safe for people who you haven't seen for a while?