Pregnancy announcement for grandparents-to-be: 12 original gift ideas

Updated October 2026

Telling your parents they are going to become grandparents is one of the most beautiful moments of a pregnancy. A small gift turns the news into a keepsake: a “You’re going to be a grandma” poster, a framed scan, a hidden message… Here are 12 gift ideas for a pregnancy announcement to grandparents-to-be, with tips on choosing the right moment, including when they live far away.

In short

• The most moving ideas: a poster or frame with a message (“You’re going to be a grandma”), the framed scan, a hidden note to discover.
• The funniest ideas: the scratch card, the puzzle, the “Say… grandma!” photo.
• The right moment: many couples wait for the first scan, around 12 weeks, but it is a personal choice.
• From a distance: a digital file or a parcel opened on a video call lets you share the surprise live.

The 12 ideas in brief

1. A “You’re going to be a grandma” (or grandpa) poster
2. The scan in a pretty frame
3. A tender poster for grandma, with the announcement on the back
4. A scratch card
5. A puzzle with the message
6. A “Grandma since 2027” or “Grandpa since 2027” mug
7. A pair of baby booties in a box
8. A bodysuit saying “I can’t wait to meet Grandma and Grandpa”
9. A calendar with the due date circled
10. The surprise photo: “Say… grandma!”
11. A grandparent journal to fill in
12. A parcel to open on a video call, for grandparents far away

Announcement gifts to keep as a memory

1. A “You’re going to be a grandma” poster

A poster with a simple message (“You’re going to be a grandma”, “Promoted to grandma in 2027”, “Grandpa soon”) and the due date. Framed, it is handed over like an ordinary gift: the surprise comes when they read the words. Afterwards, it stays on the wall as the first keepsake of their grandchild.

Our tip: choose a soft, understated style (cream, beige, sage green) that will suit their home, and a light wood frame.

2. The scan in a pretty frame

The most classic gift, and still the most moving. Add a small label: “First portrait of your grandchild”. A double frame, with a photo of you as a child next to it, is even more touching.

3. A tender poster for grandma, with the announcement on the back

Give a poster with a loving message for grandma, like our grandmother gift poster with a message of love or our tender, modern grandma poster. She thinks she is receiving a simple gift… until she finds the note slipped on the back of the frame: “And this time, it’s for real!”

Budget: €4 for the PDF file (A4 and A3), plus printing and a frame.

4. A grandparent journal

A notebook to fill with childhood memories, recipes and family history, to pass on one day to their grandchild. A gift that accompanies the whole pregnancy.

Playful announcements

5. A scratch card

Under the scratch-off surface, the message appears little by little: “You’re going to be grandparents!”. Easy to make yourself with scratch-off stickers.

6. A puzzle with the message

A small 30 to 50-piece puzzle made from a photo or text. The news is revealed piece by piece: ideal for filming their reaction.

7. The surprise photo: “Say… grandma!”

When taking a family photo, instead of “Say cheese”, say “Say… grandma!”. Remember to film rather than photograph.

8. A calendar with the due date

Give a calendar for next year, with one date circled and the words “Meet your grandchild”. Discreet… until they flick through it.

Small symbolic objects

9. A “Grandma since 2027” mug

Serve their coffee in a personalized mug and wait for them to read the words.

10. A pair of baby booties

Tiny booties in a box, with a note. Simple, universal and very moving.

11. A bodysuit saying “I can’t wait to meet Grandma and Grandpa”

A newborn bodysuit with a message, wrapped in tissue paper. It can then be worn on the first visit to the grandparents.

Announcing a pregnancy to grandparents who live far away

12. A parcel to open on a video call

Send a small parcel (booties, a note, the scan) with the instruction “Open during our call”. You share the surprise live, despite the distance.

100% digital version: email a file to print, then video call them as they open it. After the birth, a personalized birth poster with the name, date, time, weight and length keeps the link: this design comes in a French and an English version, handy for grandparents abroad. For more ideas, see our article long-distance new baby gift.

Which idea for which situation?

Situation	Suitable ideas
First grandchild	“You’re going to be a grandma” poster, framed scan, journal to fill in
Grandparents who already have grandchildren	Puzzle, scratch card, “Say… grandma!” photo
Grandparents far away	Parcel opened on a video call, file to print sent by email
Announcing to both families at once	Two identical posters or frames, one for each family
Small budget	Scratch card, calendar, printable poster

Our tips for a successful announcement

• Choose the moment: a calm meal with just a few people is better than a big party where the emotion gets lost.
• Think of both families: if possible, tell both sides on the same day so no one feels left out.
• Film it: their reaction is often the best memory. Set up the phone before handing over the gift.
• Ask for discretion: if you don’t want the rest of the family to know yet, say so clearly.
• Keep a trace: the announcement poster or frame can later move to the nursery or the family album.

After the announcement

Grandparents-to-be often want to help: getting the nursery ready, organizing the baby shower, choosing a first gift. Our articles can help them:

• Baby shower gift ideas: 10 unique gifts parents-to-be will love
• What to give for a new baby? 15 unique and affordable gift ideas
• Birth poster: what details to include and how to write them
• Long-distance new baby gift: what to give when you live far away or abroad?

Frequently asked questions

How can you announce a pregnancy to your parents in an original way?

With a small gift that reveals the news: a “You’re going to be a grandma” poster or frame, a framed scan, a scratch card or a puzzle with the message.

When should you tell the grandparents-to-be?

Many couples wait for the first scan, around 12 weeks. Others prefer to tell close family earlier. It is a personal choice.

How do you announce a pregnancy to grandparents who live far away?

Send a small parcel or a file to print, and video call them as they open it to share the surprise live.

What small gift can you give to tell them they will be grandparents?

A pair of baby booties, a “Grandma since 2027” mug, a poster with a tender message or a calendar with the due date circled.

Should you tell both families at the same time?

It is a good idea when possible, so neither family feels left out. Preparing two identical gifts makes it easier.

News to treasure forever

The announcement gift does not need to be expensive: what matters is the shared moment and the memory it leaves. A framed poster, a scan, a few well-chosen words, and your parents will remember for the rest of their lives the day they learned they would become grandparents.