If you’re looking for a truly elegant way to announce the birth of your little one, these Adorned Baby Birth Announcements by Amalgam Invites are perfect for you. It combines your baby’s photo, printed on shimmery metallic card stock or smooth Crest card stock accented at the top with Japanese chiyogami paper, with baby’s birth information printed on a vellum envelope that shows over top of the photo. These are a beautiful and luxurious way to announce the arrival of the most special little person in your life. As these are custom-made, prices are personalized, but the average total for just one announcement is $30. You can view these stunning announcements and more at AmalgamInvites.com.

Recently I discovered some beautiful, breathtaking Birth Announcements by MangoInk.com. These photo birth announcements do more than personalize the announcement to the world of your new little one - they also showcase the artistic skills of MangoInk’s professional photographers. I especially like this announcement, called “Nutmeg.” Many more announcements can be found in their online catalog, as can other cards for events, birthdays, graduation, and more. You can view the full line of offerings at MangoInk.com. Prices vary from $21.80 per 8 mounted square cards to $11.99 per 8 unmounted rectangle cards.

How many times have you met a mom at the playground and started a conversation, then walked away, thinking, I should have given her my phone number for a future playdate? Itsy Bitsy Smiles has a solution: Mommy Calling Cards. These high-quality business-style cards can be kept in your purse or diaper bag to be handed out at the right moments. Plus, you can even submit a photo of yourself and/or your child to be used on the card. I’ve seen these cards and think they’re a wonderful idea - no more missed opportunities! You can choose to have the back of the card printed with things like your child’s allergies or any specific info you feel is important for other moms to know.

It can be hard for moms to meet other moms even while encouraging their children to make new friends. These Mommy Calling Cards can make both tasks a bit easier. Mommy Calling Cards are available in a variety of styles at ItsyBitsySmiles.com, where they range in price from $35 per 100 cards to $80 for $1000 cards. UpscaleBaby.com readers can receive 15% off any order at ItsyBitsySmiles.com by using the code “15SPRING” at checkout.

As soon as (or perhaps even before) baby is born, parents are planning his or her first professional photos. To preserve these special moments, many parents opt to choose a professional photographer who specializes in portraits of newborns. Kylene Cleaver owns and operates Leave It To Me Photography, a custom portraiture business, from her home in Maryland. Although she photographs all ages, newborns and pregnant women are one of her specialties.

Cleaver is able to capture details that other photographers miss in her portraits of children. She takes the time to elicit a natural, unscripted reaction from her subjects as she shoots them candidly, without a “pose and shoot” mentality. All of her photo sessions are done “on location,” in the client’s home or a place of the client’s choosing, using natural light. She has taken photos of my son many times, always with spectacular results. In fact, she is the only person I would trust to take portraits of my family. You can check out some of her stunning photos at LeaveItToMePhotography.com. While she is based in Maryland, she has clients throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and surrounding areas.

I come across a lot of different birth announcements while writing for the blog. I have to admit that after a while, they all start to look the same, so much so that I dread looking at them at times. So, when I see something that looks fresh and fun, I am always quite pleased. Such is the case with these sweet announcements from Kite Notes. There are many to choose from, and they have a unique aesthetic. You provide the photos and birth information, pick the style, and Kite Notes does the rest. This Star Tree design retails for $2.85 each and can be ordered in increments of 25, with a minimum order of 50. While I’ve never needed quite so many announcements, many people do. You can shop the entire collection at kitenotes.com.

Are you looking for a fun way to show off your new baby, or a great shower gift? Look no further than this great Production Onesie from Mitetees. You choose the color of the print, and enter the last name(s) of the parents and Mitetees creates a witty onesie. They are available in sizes from 3-6 months up to 6T. Versions are available for twins, siblings, etc. I think this is a great idea that will bring smiles to the faces of all who see it. You can check out all of the options and purchase one for $24 at mitetees.com.

While surfing the Internet today, I came across something I’d never heard of before - a Diaper Wreath. Of course, I know about diaper cakes, but a diaper wreath? This was something I had to see. I soon discovered that there are many crafters selling diaper wreaths, as baby shower items, gifts, and as a way to announce a new arrival. They vary wildly in price, from an elaborate one like the Lion Safari Double Wreath (above) by “Nancy” for $95, to some that are a bit more reasonable, like one on MyKidsCloset.com selling for $35. You get what you pay for, however, as the Lion Safari Wreath not only includes 45 Pampers Swaddlers diapers but also a Carter’s bib, socks, teethers, onesie, medicine dropper, aspirator…the list goes on and on. Basically it contains everything new parents will need when they bring that little bundle of joy home from the hospital. The smaller one that is $35 contains some of the same items, just not in the same quantity. I think this is a wonderful idea for a baby shower gift or a gift for new parents. Not only is it functional, it’s also very attractive!

It is important to me that my kids learn to write thank you notes for gifts that they receive. At the same time, however, I don’t want the writing process to be overwhelming or a chore. When my oldest daughter was just learning to write, I discovered the beauty of fill-in thank yous. These cute cards allow children to send a thank you without having to struggle with a lot of writing. All they need to write is the name of the gift they are thankful for and their name. It is a great way to enocurage a life-long habit. I like these simple, all-purpose cards from PaperPrince Marami. You can purchase a pack of 10 for $5.95 at MyExpression.com. Sometimes I secretly wish I could get away with such simple thank yous!

I’ve always loved stationery and am especially fond of blank cards like these that allow you to use them for multiple occasions. Made by Binth, these unique Giraffe Eco Notes are screen-printed with inks on 100% recycled stock, so you don’t have to feel as wasteful about using paper instead of sending an e-card. They would be perfect to use as invitations for a baby shower, as a birth announcement, or even thank you notes. I really like the giraffe design on front; I think the only downside is that each set only comes with 6 cards and envelopes, which means you would have to purchase quite a few sets if you’re planning on sending them to a large group of people.

You can purchase this Binth stationery set of 6 cards and envelopes for $14.95 at NewBornMom.com.

When I saw the Lime Tummy Love Baby Shower Invitations, I thought they were the perfect beginning to a Valentine’s Day themed baby shower. The colors are vibrant and the design is flawless. I like the pregnant silhouette against the lime background. For $31.25, 25 of these babies could be mine.

It was created for www.tinyprints.com by Petite Alma. However, beyond a several tiered cake with hearts on it, red and white satin (or something similar) tablecloths, and perhaps little heart shaped candies in glass bowls, I am worried about creating the perfect party without going overboard and ending up with a tacky party everyone will scoff at.

I would ask for advice and creativity from the Upscale Baby friends and readers. What would you do? Based on your location, where would you hold a Valentine’s baby shower? Leave a note; I’d love to hear your ideas.

My middle daughter’s name is Wren, so when she was a baby, I bought as many bird-themed items for her as I could find.  I wish I had found these birth announcements back then; they would have been perfect.

Each of these cute little birds is made in the USA from OEKO-Tex 100 certified wool felt, so you know it is safe and lead-free. You can personalize the ribbon with the child’s name. Each bird is packaged in a kraft gift envelop, then tied with ribbon.

You can design and purchase your own announcements for $19 each at GiftsDefine.com.

When I first heard about birth announcements that are made to look like movie posters, I imagined that they would be a bit tacky.  I was delightfully surprised when I visited the Web site and discovered that they are very tasteful.

Designed by a father (who is also a professional photographer) these announcements are very creative and artistic.  They are available in a number of themes–I liked this rock-themed poster because the graphics immediately jumped out at me, but there are lots of other themes to choose from as well, from sports to Vegas, and just about anything you can imagine in between.

You choose the design and then personalize it with your own information.  I love the clever “credit” lines such as “(Father’s Name) in Union With (Mother’s Name) Present (Baby’s Name),” and “This baby is rated G for girl.”

You can purchase these announcements as 5 x 7 cards and/or large sized movie posters.  A set of 25 cards retails for $81.25.  Larger sets are also available. A 16 x 24 poster goes for $100.  You can see all of teh options and customize your own order at boxofficebaby.com.

I have to admit that I am not very organized when it comes to my children’s keepsakes.  We recently came home from the hospital with our newborn’s hospital bracelet tucked into an envelope with her discharge papers.  Unfortunately, that is where both remain over a week later.  When I saw this picture frame from Pearhead, I knew it was right up my disorganized alley.  This great product allows you to find a perfect home for this important early keepsake where it will remain out of harm’s way.  While a picture goes in the top portion of the frame, the cut-out at the bottom displays a hospital band.  You can purchase one for a very reasonable $25 at tottini.com.  A white finish is also available.

It is never too early to start building your little one’s library.  These cute little book plates are a great way to make your collection special.  Illustrated with a vintage print of a little boy with an airplane, these bookplates are personalized with your child’s name.  There is just enough blank space that you could add a small note showing the date each book was received, who it was received from, etc.  Over time, these personalized labels will help your child treasure his or her library and care for the books that comprise it.

You can purchase a set for $26 of 32 self-adhesive labels at myretrobaby.com.  A number of other styles are also available.  All come in a cute matching tin that makes them perfect for gift-giving.

Here’s is another great option for custom-made birth announcements.  Designed by a mother with a creative passion, 1st Comes Love Announcements offers some truly gorgeous designs that will suit any taste.  I loved looking through the many gorgeous samples on their Web site.  Whether you are announcing the arrival of a boy or a girl, you will have many options to choose from.

The company offers consultations by phone or email, or in person if you happen to live near Portland.  You can choose to work with an existing design, have an existing design modified slightly, or have 1st Comes Love work up something unique just for you.  Pre-existing designs ship in approximately 5 business days, so you won’t have long to wait. An announcement like the one shown retails for $1.50 each.  For additional fees, you can choose options such as envelope and return address printing.  You can browse the collection and begin the ordering process at 1stcomeslove.net.