A gift for expectant parents: a story for the baby on the way

What gift should you give expectant parents? Beyond what the baby will need in the first months, there is a different idea: a story with the baby's name, to keep and read when they grow up. In this article we give ideas for the baby shower and for the end of pregnancy, explain how to prepare a personalized book before the baby is born and say what it costs.

Why a book makes sense before the baby is born

Almost everything given to a newborn has an expiry date: clothes stop fitting, accessories stop being useful. A book with the baby's name, on the other hand, gains value over time. It can be read in the first weeks by the parents, later by the baby, and kept as a memory. Besides, pregnancy is an emotional time full of anticipation, which makes this kind of gift especially well received.

What the story can be

• A welcome-to-the-world adventure, in which the baby arrives at a home full of love.
• The story of how the parents waited for the baby, told with tenderness.
• A story with the extended family: grandparents, aunts and uncles, godparents, as characters.
• A book with wishes from the giver, in the dedication, to be read when the baby is old enough.

The question of name and face

Personalized books include the child's name and face, created from a photo. Before the baby is born, there is no photo, so there are two options. The first is to wait for the birth and make the book afterwards, with a photo of the baby. The second is to make a book now with the parents as main characters, for example a story about the wait, and make another with the baby after the birth. The 2nd book you buy gets 20% off.

Ideas for the baby shower

• A book with the expectant parents as main characters, anticipating the baby's arrival.
• A group book, in which each guest writes a sentence for the dedication.
• A gift voucher for a book that will be created after the birth, with the baby's photo.
• A handwritten card with a promise: "the baby's first book is on us".

How to prepare the parents' book

1. 1Choose a sharp photo of each of the expectant parents.
2. 2Set the theme: the wait, the journey to the baby, the family's dreams.
3. 3See the free preview, without creating an account.
4. 4Write a dedication of up to 250 characters and use the 2 free revisions.
5. 5Approve and receive the eBook, for €10, or the eBook with a 28×21 cm hardcover printed book, for €39.99.

How to prepare the baby's book, after the birth

After the birth, choose a sharp photo of the baby, with the face clearly visible and good light. Remember that features change a lot in the first months, so a recent photo is better. Check the spelling of the name, including accents and compound names, before approving. The photo is used only to create the avatar and is deleted right afterwards.

Timing

The printed book takes 6 to 10 business days to reach mainland Portugal and 6 to 15 business days to reach the islands; for other countries, the delivery time and cost appear at checkout. Since the birth date can vary, the eBook is a good option for a first book: it is available right after approval.

Gifts that go with the book

• A card with a personal message.
• A stuffed toy or a soft blanket.
• A frame for the baby's first photo.
• A promise of time: a night of babysitting or a prepared meal.

Mistakes to avoid

• Choosing a very specific theme before knowing the baby's name.
• Using a blurry photo of the expectant parents.
• Forgetting to ask the parents whether they want to share the baby's name.
• Leaving the order for the last week.

An idea for those who live far away

If the expectant parents live in another city or country, the eBook is a good solution: it arrives by email, on the right day, without depending on carriers. You can also arrange a video call with the family in which someone reads the first page aloud. In families with several languages, the book can be generated in one of 14 languages, which helps keep the family's language alive from the start.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I order before the baby is born? You can prepare the parents' book beforehand; the baby's is made afterwards, with a photo of them.
• Can I use a provisional name? It's better to wait for the final name, to avoid fixing it later.
• What if the baby is born on a different date than expected? The eBook doesn't depend on shipping dates, so it is a flexible option.

In short

A story for the baby on the way is a gift that grows with the child. You can give a book with the expectant parents at the baby shower and prepare another, with the baby, after the birth. Try the free preview and decide after you see the result.