How to create a one-of-a-kind baby thank you card

In a world of photo messages and one-click personalisation, there’s something special about creating a baby thank you card that’s an experience in itself.

Welcoming a baby into the world is one of life's most exciting moments, filled with milestones, memories and plenty of reasons to celebrate. Word of a new arrival travels fast, and it’s heartwarming to see how many people get in touch with kind words, thoughtful gifts and baby gifts. From family and friends to neighbours and colleagues, there’s often an outpouring of love for both baby and parents.

A personalised photo card has become a fashionable way to say thank you. It’s quick, thoughtful and gives everyone a glimpse of your newest family member. But why stop there? Why not create something beautiful?

We believe a baby thank you card can be even more. We're talking about a handwritten message, colour co-ordinated card stock, a ribbon to untie, a keepsake photograph and perhaps even a wax seal waiting to be broken. Something that invites people to pause their day, sit down and share in your experience.

It may sound a little over the top, but if you can’t be a little ‘extra’ after creating a whole new life, then when can you?

Make it an experience with a pocketfold

The pocketfold invitation is hugely popular choice for DIY wedding invitations. Featuring a small pocket inside the card that can hold RSVPs, menu choices and keepsakes, they offer a brilliant opening experience and keep everything neatly together in one place.

This pocketfold invitation will be the base of our one-of-a-kind baby thank you card, acting as little capsule filled with treasures that both mark your baby’s arrival and thank your loved one for their baby gift.

Our pocketfold invitations come in an array of colours including the traditional dusty blue and dusky pink or you could go with an elegant pressed soft white which features a slight textured finish.

Assembling your pocketfold invite

Our pocketfold envelopes can be put together in just a few short steps.
1. Prepare the pocket
Take the detached pocket and fold along the pre-scored lines to create the tabs.

2. Choose your pocket placement
   Decide where you’d like the pocket to sit:

• Right-hand side
• Left-hand side
• Bottom edge for a vertically opening pocketfold

3. Attach the pocket

Once you’ve chosen the position, apply adhesive to the folded tabs, we recommend Ultra Clear Tape, and carefully stick the pocket into place.

Your pocket is now ready to be filled!

Designing your baby thank you card cover

The beauty of your pocketfold baby thank you card is what’s inside, that’s what makes it unique. That means the front cover can be kept beautifully simple.

We love the way inked stamps look on quality card stock. It’s authentic and handmade and gives a minimalist chic finish. A classic “Thank You” stamp makes an elegant choice, or you could choose a floral or botanical. For something truly personal, there are also plenty of independent sellers online creating bespoke stamps featuring your baby's name, date of birth or even a hand-drawn portrait.

Design tips for new parents: simplicity is key. No matter how skilled a crafter you are, crafting with a newborn is a different skill. Odds are you probably won’t be getting much sleep so complex designs may have to be put on hold for now and opt for a more straightforward option. Something that can be put picked up and put down easily when you’re summoned for the fifth feed of the morning and importantly won’t bring you to tears if it goes wrong, because those postpartum hormones are no joke!  

What to write in your baby thank you card

For our thank you card we placed the pocket on the left side, leaving the right-hand page empty for your message. When you’re running on little sleep in can be hard activate your brain to forming a cohesive message, so our advice is to keep it short and personal.

• Name
• Introduce baby
• Thank you for the baby gift
• Sign

It can be as simple as that. Just try to personalise the message to the recipient, whether it be through gift details or shared jokes. Small touches like this make the invite person specific and show you’ve taken the time to think about the message.

For example

‘Dear Auntie Jackie and Uncle Simon,

Please meet the newest member of the family Oscar William Jones. Thank you so much for the sleepsuit set, the racoon one is adorable! Hopefully we can all get together soon for some cuddles.

All our love Jen, Peter and Oscar.’

It’s a simple message but shows care and attention.

Now for the fun bit…

What to put inside your pocketfold

Finally, it’s time to fill your pocketfold full of treats. This is where your baby thank you card can really come to life. The beauty of a pocketfold is the little moment of discovery when it’s opened. It’s not just a message in a card, you can create a collection of thoughtful details, each chosen to celebrate your new arrival.

A photograph

A loose photograph is a must have. Afterall, everyone wants to see your precious new bundle of joy for themselves. You could use the same favourite photograph for everyone or choose individual pictures. A nice touch is to show your baby using the gift, especially if it was homemade. A photo showing your baby wearing the bunny booties your sister lovingly knitted will mean so much then just a generic snap. 

The beauty of a loose print is it can be taken out and framed, tucked into a wallet or added to a photo album. It becomes a little keepsake, rather than something destined to get lost on the fridge.

Design tip: trim your photo so it is approximately 13cm x 13cm using a sharp craft knife and cutting board for a polished fit.

Include a tiny footprint

For family and friends who haven't been able to visit yet, a little footprint can be an especially touching addition. It gives them a tangible connection to those first precious days and is a really lovely addition.

Use a non-toxic, water-based, washable paint that is specifically labelled as safe for skin or better yet, a baby hand and footprint kit. Make sure to remove all paint from your little one’s skin with a baby soap after use. You can even add babies date of birth and how many days old they were when the print was made.

Design tip: rather than cutting your card to size first, print your baby’s footprints onto a piece of A4 card and trim them to size once they’re completely dry. This gives you a little more room for error - especially when those tiny feet have plans of their own!

A little side note

If you want to make that card even more touching, try adding a little informal note. It could be from yourself, your partner or the baby’s sibling. The informality of a handwritten note adds a sense of whimsy and fun to what could otherwise feel quite formal.

Our pocketfold card inserts are designed to fit neatly inside our pocketfolds, giving you the perfect space for an extra message. It could be something as simple as:

“Jen is doing incredible and is an absolute natural. I’ve been practising the dad jokes! Still waiting for my first laugh from Oscar. I did get a smile, but it turned out to be wind.”

It doesn't need to be polished. That's the point. A little note like this feels personal, spontaneous and completely yours.

The finishing touches

A pocketfold envelope wouldn’t be complete without a ribbon. There's something wonderfully tactile about having to untie something before you can see what's inside. The anticipation and excitement that builds in those few seconds, waiting to see what lies inside.

Choose a ribbon that pairs well with your colour scheme. Pastel ginghams, candy stripes, cute florals or even ducklings are all great contenders. Tie with a simple bow before slipping into the envelope.

If you really want to make this the ultimate unwrapping experience, sealing the envelope with a wax seal is the icing on the cake. It lets the recipient know they’re in for something special the moment the envelope lands on the doormat.

Our cute bow seal is ideal for a baby thank you card, paired with either soft pink or soft blue sealing wax are a great choice for a new baby.

Share the experience

The art of cardmaking isn’t just about getting the job done, when we're putting together a card, we consider the whole experience from the materials that make it to the message it delivers. After all, there are certain moments in life that deserve to be marked by more than just a postcard.