Having a pregnancy is an experience that every woman treasures. It is one of life’s great “surprises” though it is truly one that will take you by surprise!
One of the best memento moments is the experience you share with your husband.
The look he gives you in accepting the news becomes ingrained in your memory. The delight, the shock and if you’re lucky, tears, will make this experience that much more meaningful for the both of you.
Of the many unique memento ways to share this experience, here are thirty great ideas to tell your husband you’re pregnant.
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Literally, A bun in the Oven
You actually put a bun in the oven. Like, an actual bun. Then you say, “Hey, can you check the oven?” And just…wait. If he doesn’t figure it out right away, say, “Keep looking.” If he still doesn’t, just tell him the good news. This is classic for a reason, this one will work.
The “Daddy” Mug Switch
Let’s set the stage with something like this for breakfast. Make coffee, hand it over with love and instead of the old boring “his” mug, use “dad” or “world’s best father“. Good chance that most fathers will sip coffee out of the altered mug while simultaneously thinking of the shared surprise with this new role as father in the child’s life. That word makes everything a little sweeter and smoother.
The Reveal of Baby Onesie
Purchase a newborn onesie with the words “Coming Soon” or “Hi Daddy” printed on it. Carefully fold it and stash it in a surprising place, such as his closet, his side of the bed, or even inside his lunchbox. A moment of incredulity is followed by a surge of emotion when he opens it and realizes how tiny it is.
The Baby’s Letter
Compose a brief letter that seems to be from your child. “Hello Daddy, I’m so excited to meet you,” is a good place to start. He might find the letter taped to the bathroom mirror, on his nightstand, or in his backpack. It’s a sweet, sincere way to surprise him and bring him to tears.
The Drop of the Book
Get a book like “Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad” or “The Expectant Father.” Without a word, put it on his desk or wrap it as a present. Let him look for it himself, flip it over, and try to figure out why you gave it to him. When he finally connects the dots, you’ll see the realization appear on his face and probably hear him say something along the lines of, “Wait… are you serious?”
A Novel Keychain
Purchase a keychain that reads “Daddy Est. [Year]” or simply “#1 Dad.” It’s a modest but significant gesture. Give it to him casually and remark, “I thought you might like this.” He may initially be perplexed, particularly if the news is unexpected.
The Reveal at Dinner
Prepare his favorite meal and serve only baby-sized fare, such as sliders in place of burgers, baby corn, and baby carrots. You could even use alphabet pasta to spell something out or write “Baby” with the sauce on the plate. Simply look at him and say, “Well, it felt fitting,” as soon as he begins to notice the theme. Before the words are even spoken, the entire dinner feels like a celebration thanks to its sweetness and playfulness.
A Gift Box Pregnancy Test
After taking the test, gently clean it and place it in a small tissue paper gift box. “I got you something small,” you say as you casually give it to him. He will be intrigued, and when he opens it, anticipate a mixture of bewilderment and quiet.
The Scavenger Hunt
Place a number of tiny hints or notes throughout the house. Like “Check where we keep the coffee” or “Your next clue is under your pillow,” each one ought to lead to the next. Allow the final hint to lead you to a cabinet or drawer that contains your ultrasound picture, baby item, or pregnancy test.
Add it to a pizza
Request that they write “I’m pregnant!” on the inside of the pizza box under the special instructions. Then, just like any other night, you all sit down to eat. He will be unable to speak when he opens the box and reads the message. If you eat pizza every week, that’s an extra bonus because it adds a personal touch to the surprise.
Special Fortune Cookie
Just sitting at the table, maybe eating noodles or takeout as if it were any other night. Then dessert arrives, except the cookie is no ordinary cookie-to eat it, you had to make it or order it with an inside message that reads: Turning Dad.” That is all. He would open it and maybe stare at it for a while with a face that says, “Wait… what?“; you, then, sit back, watching the realization unfold. It is extremely tiny but kind of genius.
Baby Shoes Alongside
Adult Footwear Easy, but honest to goodness, this one is a bit hard on the emotions. All you have to do is just place the tiniest baby shoes one can get beside his shoes in the closet. Not a word out of your mouth. He will see them and grow still. Such a small gesture, yet once his mind connects the dots, he will probably just be frozen in time. It says everything without ever needing a single word.
The Infants Cannot Conquer Music
If he has a thing for music or if you both do, this really works. Make a playlist with a fun name like “Songs for Baby” or “Lullabies for Dad.” Toss in a few obvious songs, like Isn’t She Lovely and Beautiful Boy. Just let it quietly play in the background while you’re around, or just mail him the link without any explanations. When he starts looking at one of those song titles, it hits.
Impression of Fake Pregnancy of Funny Moment No. 1
This is more of goof-off thing for couples. Walk in, completely serious, and say something silly like, “I took a test today…and I ate it.” Then hold your peace. Confusion sets in as you wait; then suddenly pull out the pregnancy test and watch the metamorphosis of his expression. If he gets your humor, it will be hysterical and yet heartwarming. So strange, yet it works.
Dogs Wearing the News
If your dog is indeed your first child, the messenger position is theirs to hold. Let the dog adorn a sign bearing messages like “Big brother reporting for duty” or “Promotion coming soon.” From there, just casually call your husband by asking, “What’s going on with the dog?” He’ll read it once, maybe twice, and then just freeze. Really cute.
The Baby Bottle in The Fridge
Oddly enough, it’s weird but it does work. Grab a baby bottle, fill in with milk or juice or whatever, and put it in the fridge alongside his drinks. Whether you put a sticky note on it or not is up to you. Something like, “Hope you’re thirsty, Dad.” He would go to get something to drink, stop mid-reach, and then remain… looking. One of those moments: “What is happening right now?”
Road Sign With a Bump Ahead
It can be homemade with paper or downloaded and printed, just a small road sign with the text “Bump Ahead.” Then place it weirdly on the bathroom mirror or somewhere in the hallway. Under it, scribble, “ETA: [your due month].” It takes a moment to register, which is half the fun.
A Phishing Film Trailer
If you have some time for fooling around with apps, you can create a fake movie trailer. Add something like “new chapter begins” or “coming soon: baby [last name],” with that dramatic music running behind it. Put it in front of him on TV, like you’re only watching something random together. And it begins funny … and then lands. Hard.
Regular Interruption in the Morning
When he is brushing his teeth or getting ready in the morning, casually drop a second toothbrush next to his. Make it tiny (baby-size tiny). When he looks baffled, all you have to do is say, “Well, someone else is gonna need it soon.” That’s all. It’s random, it’s soft, it’s unexpected. But it’ll hit.
The Memory Lane Scrapbook
You don’t have to be crafty for this. Just grab some printed pictures of trips, weddings or random nights together and put it in a little notebook or album (nothing fancy). On the last page, put your ultrasound or even the positive test, and write “Our next adventure begins here.” It’s simple, yet powerful. Especially if they are sentimental.
Put it in a card
Sometimes you don’t want anything dramatic, just a card. A real, hand written card. You write what you felt and maybe what you were thinking when you found out. Finish it off with something like “We are having a baby.” That one line… is enough. No need for fancy.
Kit for First Time Dad
You fill a box with silly things; diapers, a tiny rattle, maybe a book called “Dad Tips” and a bag of snacks. You put a note on the outside something like, “Starter Kit for Dad.” When he opens the box or bag he may laugh… or just quietly stare for a while until it clicks. It’s somewhat ridiculous but also genuinely, a little sweet. Which is a little perfect.
The Ultrasound Picture
If you have already had your first appointment, keep that first blurry paper and frame it! You do not need to go fancy, a 5 dollar picture frame is more than enough! On the back or under the frame write “Hi Dad” or “See you soon.” Hand it over to him in a calm manner, maybe after dinner or while you’re watching TV together. That little piece of black and white photo paper has much bigger power than you may realize.
Infant Footwear in His Pillow
Little baby shoes. On his pillow. That’s it. He’ll think he’s just walking into another night, but there they will be. It will take him a second. You won’t even have to say anything. Sometimes silence speaks louder.
Journal Entry
If you’re a writer or love to write, this one’s very special. You can just write, maybe about the feelings you overcame when you saw the test, or what made you smile, or what frightens you. Then, you can finish it with something like, “I can’t wait till I get to do this with you.” Leave it somewhere until he finds it. He will read it when he is ready. It will stay with him.
Custom Puzzle
You ordered a small puzzle online that reads, when completed, “We’re having a baby“. Perhaps get him to assemble it with you one evening as a fun thing to do to relax. At first, he won’t pay attention to it. And then he will start realizing the words. You will know when he realizes. He will probably drop a piece in the middle of a puzzle.
Pregnancy App Notification
Download a pregnancy app, and just leave your phone unlocked and beside him. Or, have him look something up, knowing the name of the app is sitting right there. Slowly he will see it. Then he may stare at it. He may say, “Why do you have this?” And, eventually, the news will come out.
Video Chat
If he isn’t home, record a quick video of yourself talking to him. You don’t have to put much thought into it. Just say what you feel and casually say, “Oh, by the way…you are going to be a father.” Send it and wait.
Message Mirror
Before he wakes, write “You’re going to be a daddy” on the bathroom mirror with a dry erase marker or lipstick-sooho. Then leave it be. When he goes to brush his teeth or wash his face, there it will be. Simple and surprising.
Surprise calendar
Go into the shared calendar and highlight your due date with something vague like “big day” or “meet someone new“. Don’t mention it, let him find it randomly in the coming months. The slow realization is a little magical.
Closing this out…
There’s no right way to tell him. Some people go big. Others just slip it to him quietly at some point in the dark of the night. Some times it will be a joke. Some times it will be through tears. Some times you just pass him a card, and he will have to figure it out from there.
However you choose… it will be yours. His reaction, your facial expression, the exact moment in time when the truth hits them, this will forever be a moment in time you both will remember.
