12 Halloween Pregnancy Announcement Ideas (Cute, Spooky and Long-Distance)

Halloween is one of the easiest times of year to share baby news. The props are already in every shop, the jokes write themselves ("a little boo on the way") and everyone is in the mood for a surprise. Here are twelve ideas, from five-minute ones to something a little more special, plus wording you can borrow.

Quick ideas for photos and social posts

1. Three pumpkins, one tiny one. Line up two big pumpkins and a mini one, or paint initials on each. It works as a photo for social media and as a table decoration when family comes over.

2. "Our little pumpkin arrives in May." Write the due month on a pumpkin with a paint pen. Simple, clear and easy to read in a small photo.

3. Baby shoes in the pumpkin patch. Set a pair of baby shoes or a tiny knitted hat next to your boots at the pumpkin patch. No words needed.

4. Ghost costume, version two. Two adults in sheet-ghost costumes, and a small sheet ghost (or a baby-sized one cut from a pillowcase) between you. Caption: "Adding a little boo to the crew."

5. Ultrasound in the candy bowl. Hide a copy of the scan under the Halloween candy and wait for someone to dig to the bottom.

Ideas for telling family in person

6. A trick-or-treat bag with a twist. Hand parents a treat bag. Inside, among the sweets, is a note: "Treat: you're going to be grandparents."

7. Pumpkin carving reveal. Carve "Baby" or the due date into one pumpkin and keep it turned around until everyone has finished carving theirs.

8. Costume clue. Wear a T-shirt with "Boo" over a small baby ghost, or a pumpkin with a tiny pumpkin inside, and see who notices first.

Ideas for family who live far away

If grandparents, siblings or friends live in another city or country, a photo in the group chat can feel a little flat. These keep the "they find out themselves" moment.

9. A video call with a prop. Start the call with the camera on the pumpkins and let them spot the little one. Record their reaction on your side.

10. A Halloween scratch card on their phone. Send a link to a Halloween pregnancy announcement scratch card. They scratch the screen to uncover your ultrasound photo and message, with music, so the reveal happens on their side, not in a text. You can write it in any language, which helps when grandparents prefer their own.

11. A parcel timed for October 31. Post a small box with a mini pumpkin, a pair of baby socks and a printed scan, marked "Open on Halloween".

Something to keep

12. A first-Halloween keepsake. Buy the baby's first Halloween outfit now and photograph it with the scan. Next year you can take the same photo with the baby wearing it.

Wording you can copy

• "We've got a little boo on the way. Due [month]."
• "Trick or treat? Treat! Baby [surname] arrives in [month]."
• "Our little pumpkin is due in [month]."
• "Spooky news: we're expecting!"
• "This Halloween we're carving three pumpkins."
• For grandparents: "No tricks this year, just one very big treat. You're going to be grandparents!"

A few practical tips

• Tell the closest people first. If parents or siblings live far away, send their reveal before anything goes on social media, so they don't find out from a post.
• Check the date. Halloween falls on a weekday some years. A message the evening before or the weekend before can land better than in the middle of trick-or-treating.
• Keep the scan copy safe. Use a copy or a photo of the ultrasound for props and keep the original somewhere dry.

If you'd like a reveal they can open on their own phone, wherever they are, have a look at our pregnancy announcement scratch cards. Happy Halloween, and congratulations!