Buy the card that fits your relationship with the parents, not the one with the busiest design. A close friend or grandparent can send a longer card with a blank interior and a personal note. A coworker or distant acquaintance is better served by a short printed sentiment plus one handwritten line. Before you write anything, check the envelope against standard letter postage, because square, oversized, and thick cards often need extra postage and a trip to the counter.
What to look for
Tone and wording
Match the message to the situation. A simple line such as 'Congratulations on your new baby' works for birth, adoption, foster placement, and surrogacy. Steer clear of assumptions about how the baby arrived, how many children the parents already have, or whether the pregnancy was planned. When you do not know the details, neutral wording beats a joke that lands wrong.
Blank versus printed interior
A blank interior gives you space for a note the parents may keep for years. A fully printed sentiment saves time when you are sending several cards, but it leaves little room to write. The middle option works best for most buyers: a printed greeting on the front and a blank lower half inside.
Paper and finish
Uncoated matte stock takes ballpoint and fountain pen ink without smearing. Glossy or foil-heavy cards look sharp but can repel ink, so test a corner with your pen before committing to a long message. Recycled and cotton-blend stocks sit in the middle on price and feel substantial in the hand.
Envelope and mailing
Confirm the envelope is rectangular, light, and flexible enough to pass through sorting equipment. If you plan to add cash, a gift card, or a photo, weigh the finished envelope before sealing it.
Parameter bands worth knowing
- Standard note card: A2, about 4.25 by 5.5 inches. Fits a standard first-class envelope and is the safest choice for mailing.
- Photo or group card: A7, about 5 by 7 inches. Good for several signatures, but check the final weight.
- Square cards: 5.5 by 5.5 inches or 6 by 6 inches. Often cost more to mail because of the non-machinable shape.
- Paper weight: 250 to 350 gsm, roughly 80 to 110 lb cover. Heavier stock resists bleed-through and creasing.
- Writing space: aim for at least four lines of room if you plan a personal note.
- Finish: matte or uncoated for handwriting, foil and glitter only if the card will be hand delivered or opened over a tray.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Gendered or size-based jokes that may not fit the family.
- Loose glitter or confetti that sheds inside the envelope and onto the parents' floor.
- Writing in gel ink on coated stock, which smears and transfers to the facing page.
- Sealing the envelope before you confirm postage for an oversized or heavy card.
- Sending only a card when the parents live far away and would value a short phone call or message more.
- Forgetting a return address, which matters if the card cannot be delivered.
FAQ
What should I write inside?
Name the parents and the baby if you know the name, offer one specific kind of help such as a meal or an errand, and keep it to three or four sentences. Specific offers are more useful than general well wishes.
When should I send it?
Within the first two weeks after the birth or placement is ideal. A card that arrives a month later still means something, so send it rather than skip it.
Should I include money or a gift card?
It is common and welcome, but place it in the fold rather than loose in the envelope, and consider a card with a small pocket or a separate sleeve so it does not slide out.
Is one card enough for twins or triplets?
One card addressed to the parents is fine and often preferred. If you want each baby named, choose a larger A7 card with room for multiple lines.
Can I send a card for an adoption or foster placement?
Yes. Use the same neutral congratulations wording you would use for a birth, and avoid questions about the process in the card itself.