We’ve all been there: the group baby shower card finally makes its way to your desk. You manage to come up with something slightly more substantial than “Congrats on your new addition!” only to find out that Tiffany from reception beat you to the punch with almost the exact same sentiment (and her penmanship is better – rude).

Crafting a baby shower message that’s both heartfelt and original can be as tricky as a one-handed diaper change, but it’s possible. Whether you’re signing solo or as part of a group, here are a few pointers for mastering the art of the shower card message.

6 Baby Card Writing Tips:

Here are a few things to keep in mind before you put anything down in pen (cause the only thing worse than writing something cringe worthy is having to scribble it out and try again).

1. Don’t worry too much!

Your message will be one of many and nothing is going to be completely original unless you decide to showcase your poetry skills and craft a personalized haiku.

2. Keep it positive.

While it’s totally fine to let your sense of humor shine in your message, please, for the love of everything, refrain from using terms like “crotch goblin” and “tiny dictator” or phrases like “Good luck, you’re gonna need it!” when writing your baby shower wishes.

3. Personalize it.

If you’re close to the recipient, an inside joke or special memory will definitely score your card a spot in the “keep” pile.

4. Consider space limitations.

If you’re signing a group card, you’ll have to keep things brief so nobody ends up having to sign on the back or write in a size you’d find on a pill bottle.

5. Be specific.

If you want to add a note about helping out once the baby comes, be clear about what’s on the table. “Let me know if you need anything!” is a pretty generic phrase that gets thrown around freely and is seldom followed up on (especially by exhausted parents who may not really know what to ask for.)

“Let me know when I can watch the baby so you can have a shower!” or “Text me your grocery list after the baby comes – I always shop on Sundays!” makes it easier to reach out and more likely that the parents-to-be will actually take you up on your offer.

6. Mention siblings if the baby has them.

A new baby is exciting (and a bit scary!) for everyone in the family. A sweet little note to any older kids in the family or a mention of what a great big sibling they’re going to be will help them feel recognized and important in the midst of the big changes coming. (Here are some sibling gift ideas too.)

How to refer to the new baby

Here are a few ways you can refer to the baby without saying, you know… baby.

• Bundle of joy
• Baby boy/baby girl
• Little boy/little girl
• Prince/princess
• Little blessing
• Upcoming arrival/new arrival
• Little miracle
• Tiny treasure
• Sweetpea
• Cutie pie
• Little darling
• Little one
• Snuggle bug
• Little munchkin
• Precious bébé (for the Schitt’s Creek fans out there 😉)

Categories for baby shower card messages:

If you’re feeling stuck and need some inspiration for your well wishes, decide the vibe you’re going for and check out some specific examples to help get your creative juices flowing.

Simple and sweet:

• Get ready for little hands, little feet, and hearts full of love. Wishing you all the best with your new bundle of joy!
• Welcome to the world, little one! You are loved by so many already.
• So excited for your growing family! May your hearts and home be filled with joy.
• Sending lots of love and warm wishes as you prepare to welcome your precious little one.
• Best wishes on your exciting new adventure. Prepare for cuteness overload!

Humorous and lighthearted:

• May your coffee be strong and your baby’s naps be long!
• Your home will soon be filled with toys, laughter, and the sweet sound of baby giggles. Enjoy the chaos – there truly is nothing better!
• Welcome to the new parent club, where we regularly discuss dirty diapers, sleepless nights and nap schedules. We’re so happy to have you!
• Congratulations on your new promotion! There’s no overtime pay and the breaks are few and far between, but it’s the best job you’ll ever have.

Heartfelt and Sentimental:

• Congratulations on your new baby girl/new baby boy. May your days be filled with hugs, kisses, and so much love as you experience the joys of parenthood.
• Welcome to the exciting journey of parenthood, where you’ll quickly learn that the littlest things really are the big things in life. Congratulations.
• Parenthood is one of life’s greatest gifts. Wishing you love, joy, and many happy moments together in the days and years ahead.

Quotes for Baby Cards

If you’re still on the fence about writing your own message, why not call in the experts? Here’s a great list of 45 inspirational quotes for new parents to pull from, and a few great ones narrowed down if you’re in a hurry.

Funny Quotes:

• “You must prepare for life and whatever it will throw at you, my dear. Be it a bébé or a bomb.” — Moira Rose, Schitt’s Creek
• “Having a baby is like having a tiny drunk person following you around all the time.” — Amy Poehler, Yes Please
• “If a baby could talk, it would say, ‘I’m in charge here. Now feed me and let me nap!'” — Homer Simpson, The Simpsons
• “The whole idea of parenting is that you’re creating a human who will one day be creating humans. It’s like a family business where you only hire the most adorable employees.” — Ryan Reynolds

Heartfelt Quotes:

• “Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” — A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh
• “Babies are like a hundred percent better than people. They’re like little bundles of hope.” — Andy Dwyer, Parks and Recreation
• “A baby fills a place in your heart that you never knew was empty.” — Frank A. Clark
• “There is no such thing as a perfect parent. So just be a real one.”
  — Sue Atkins
• “A new baby is like the beginning of all things—wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.” — Eda J. LeShan
• “Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” — Elizabeth Stone

The Sign-Off

Okay, the hard part is done, now all you’ve gotta do is sign your name! You can definitely do just that – sign your name. If you want to throw a closing in there, here are a few you could go with:

• With love,
• Excitedly,
• Warmest wishes,
• Best wishes for your new arrival,
• With heartfelt congratulations,
• Congratulations and hugs,
• Sending all of our love,
• Your grandparents-to-be,
• With joy and anticipation,
• To a wonderful new chapter,
• Wishing you a great delivery and fast recovery,
• Cheers to your growing family,

Your baby shower card in a nutshell

A baby shower is a celebration of exciting things to come, and the message you include in your card should reflect that.

Whether you want to keep things short and sweet or take a trip down memory lane, let your relationship with the recipient guide the heart of your message.

At the end of the day, the fact that you took the time to buy a card and jot down something sweet will mean a lot to the parents-to-be, so don’t sweat the small details too much!

If you need a unique baby shower card that stands out from the ones everyone else is buying at Target, head to Minted and check out all their baby shower cards.

You might also find this post helpful: Unique Baby Shower Gifts: 100 Ideas No One Thinks Of