When it came to telling our families our big news, I couldn’t imagine just walking up to them and saying “We’re pregnant!” No, no, no. I needed to go a little further. So I made custom grandparent and great grandparent mugs for our parents and Brad’s grandparents.
I was inspired by these mugs I spotted on Pinterest one day.
These were super simple to make. But I must tell you, I wasted 2 hours trying to make vinyl stencils and using them to paint onto the mugs. It was a disaster. Frustrated, I grabbed the nearest Sharpie and used my own chicken scratch to pencil the message onto the mugs. 20 seconds per mug. Done.
Here’s the full tutorial in case you want to make these.
Supplies
mug(s)
Sharpie
Instructions
1. Wash your mug(s).
2. Using a Sharpie, write your message on the mug. If you mess up, use rubbing alcohol to remove the mistake.
3. Allow to set overnight.
4. Put mug(s) on baking sheet and into a COLD oven.
5. Turn the oven to 350 degrees.
6. Once oven reaches 350 degrees, set the timer for 30 minutes.
7. When the timer goes off, turn the oven off. But DO NOT open the oven door!
8. Leave mug(s) in the oven to cool as the oven cools (this takes a few hours).
9. Once the oven is cool, remove the mug(s).
When needed, hand wash mugs (I wrote “hand wash” on the bottom of the mugs when I wrote my messages).
I bought these mugs at Walmart for around $3 each. But you can find similar mugs at the dollar store.
I added a bag of candy to each mug, wrapped the mugs in tissue paper, and put them in gift bags for our family members to open. When I gave out the presents, I told each person I brought them something from my New Orleans trip I took a month earlier.
And of course I couldn’t let them open their gifts without filming their reactions. This is the first grandchild on both sides and first great grandchild for Brad’s maternal grandparents. I made a 2 minute compilation video of us telling our families and my best friend (I bought her this T-shirt and gave it to her as part of her birthday gift).
Here’s the line up of characters in the video in case you’re curious:
my mom and stepdad > Brad’s parents (and youngest brother) > Brad’s maternal grandparents > Brad’s paternal grandma and aunt > my best friend
If for some reason, the video doesn’t embed, here’s the link: http://bit.ly/1mn78UV
Stalk away!
Crlsweetie says
February 17, 2014 at 7:37 AMThat was awesome. Congratulations!
Alba Garcia says
February 17, 2014 at 7:49 AMIt’s just sooo cool!! Congrats again!
This video make me smile =)
Amanda says
February 17, 2014 at 7:50 AMSo Cute! Can’t wait to get home from work to watch the movie!
Amanda says
February 17, 2014 at 11:43 AMTotally balling! So happy for you!
Samantha says
February 17, 2014 at 7:52 AMThat video is perfect! I think my fave was his maternal grandparents but all the reactions were precious! Congrats again!
Erin @ How to Nest for Less says
February 17, 2014 at 8:37 AMSeriously, the videos were awesome.
ClassyFabSarah says
February 17, 2014 at 8:55 AMOh my goodness, those videos are PRICELESS!!!
Chasity Zwicker says
February 17, 2014 at 9:06 AMAs it is frequently said on the video, Oh My god!!! I am here now wiping away tears (of Joy)
great video, congrats again and it is no doubt that you have a loving a supportive family by your side for this next chapter of you life. Congrats again!
[email protected] the Manor says
February 17, 2014 at 9:16 AMThese are fabulous! What an awesome thing to have documented. You’re so creative!
Bliss says
February 17, 2014 at 9:16 AMI loved your mom’s reaction, made me get a tear.
Rachel says
February 17, 2014 at 9:33 AMI’ll admit, your mom’s reaction made me a little teary-eyed :*-) And great grandma’s reaction was PERFECT, I loved it. So cool that you have this on video!
Laurie Jones Home says
February 17, 2014 at 9:51 AMSo sweet!! I love your grandma”s reaction!!!!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
February 17, 2014 at 9:52 AMThat was hilarious!!! I am pretty sure my 7 and 5 year old caught on quicker when we did our announcement video, but in fairness, they have better eye sight. 😉 LOVE that you captured those moments on tape. The gift was such a cute idea…thank you for sharing the step by step. I’ve been wanting to try those mugs for ages, but wanted a tutorial that would work!!
Kelly Reber says
February 17, 2014 at 10:02 AMSuch a great idea!! That will be a keepsake you will cherish forever
[email protected] says
February 17, 2014 at 10:33 AMAaahhh!! This is the most adorable thing ever! I loved all of their reactions! Too precious!
Trina @ Let's Just Build a House says
February 17, 2014 at 10:51 AMi think my favorite was your stepdad. REALLY? REALLY? REALLY? ARE YOU SURE? haha so cute. congrats again. I can’t believe they didn’t think something was up since you were recording!!
Natalie M says
February 17, 2014 at 11:14 AMThank you for sharing this! It was just precious and hilarious. It’s great that you captured it on film! My parents took video when telling my siblings (there are 5 of us total) and I that we were having another brother/sister and the reactions NEVER get old!
Katherine Kelly says
February 17, 2014 at 11:25 AMSO SO FUN! Thanks for the great laughs on a Monday morning! 🙂 Congrats!
Stephanie B. says
February 17, 2014 at 11:28 AMSuper cute! I LOVE these announcement videos…even if I don’t know the people in them. I always think it’s so funny how long it takes some people to catch on to what they’re looking at rather than just saying “Oh thank you, that’s cute.” I especially liked when the one said “I thought it was because of Jack!” (My parents call our dog their grand-dog, too.) Too fun. Congratulations!
Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says
February 17, 2014 at 11:32 AMLove it! The mugs were so creative and the reactions were priceless!
Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says
February 17, 2014 at 11:36 AMTotally crying here watching all their reactions. What a great way to surprise your family ;-).
antiquechase says
February 17, 2014 at 12:49 PMPRICELESS!!!
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says
February 17, 2014 at 1:15 PMOf course I had to tear up watching all of their reactions…so happy for you guys! 🙂
Catherine says
February 17, 2014 at 2:11 PMHahaha I LOVE watching videos like these! Brad’s dad was hilarious: “Cool.” Typical guy. 🙂 And I <3 Natalie!!
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
February 26, 2014 at 8:40 PMHah! He later told Brad that he remained mostly silent because he was starting to get choked up. 🙂 And Natalie was hilarious. I was trying my best to silently laugh while recording her.
Barb says
February 17, 2014 at 3:04 PMCute!
Liv says
February 17, 2014 at 3:24 PMAww this was lovely seeing everyone’s different reactions! Loved it 🙂
Amy Smith says
February 17, 2014 at 4:05 PMI had happy tears for ya’ll! How sweet is this!
Meg O. says
February 17, 2014 at 9:17 PMI LOVE this so much!!!! Such a sweet video! Yay for August babies indeed!! When is your due date? Mine’s the 22nd.
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
February 18, 2014 at 9:23 PMThanks! August 14! So excited for you!
Janice says
February 17, 2014 at 11:21 PMCongratulations! I’m due August 14th. Not at all excited to be pregnant through the hot summer but excited for a 2nd baby!
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
February 18, 2014 at 9:25 PMI’m due on Aug. 14th too! Due date twins! We can suffer through the summer heat together.
Janice says
February 19, 2014 at 3:19 PMThat’s too funny! Glad to know I have someone to suffer with!
stephanie, sandpaper & glue says
February 18, 2014 at 7:10 AMLoved watching the video…so so sweet. my brother used mugs to tell us too (first baby on both sides of the family since ME!). it was so sweet, everyone had the same awkward thank you until they realized what it meant, then everyone started crying. haha
Kirsten Giles says
February 18, 2014 at 12:07 PMI don’t think I have ever commented on your blog, but, I am a “stalker” of it! Congratulations on your pregnancy. The video was priceless!
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
February 26, 2014 at 8:34 PMThanks for finally commenting! (And stalking.) 😉
Melanie says
February 18, 2014 at 2:28 PMSo awesome, I’ve always wanted to do something like this.
laura says
February 18, 2014 at 7:26 PMHow sweet! We aren’t going to have kids for a few years, but I will have to tuck this idea away for a later date!
Mandy @ This Girl's Life says
February 20, 2014 at 9:56 AMOh my goodness their reactions are all SO adorable! Love that your recorded them. 🙂
Carrie says
February 21, 2014 at 9:58 AMThat’s awesome. Congratulations.
Anonymous says
February 21, 2014 at 8:37 PMSo cute! How far along were you when you told your family? I have had a positive pregnancy test but am not far enough along to go to the doctor quite yet, so I don’t know when I should make the announcement.
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
February 26, 2014 at 8:37 PMI was 13 weeks when we told our families. We wanted to wait until we saw my doctor and she confirmed that everything was going well. I couldn’t get in to see my doctor until I was almost 11 weeks, and we seemed to have a snow or ice storm every weekend (our families live 3 hours away, in different directions for where we live) so we had to wait a couple weekends to tell everyone.
Patricia says
February 28, 2014 at 5:15 AMI love love love the compilation video!! I cried watching it..so exciting! Congrats to you all…many blessings. Hugs
carol plant says
September 19, 2017 at 10:21 AMCongratulations to you all honestly i figured you were probably pregnant because you were buying a bigger house!!!! lol its wonderful news and owen will love the new baby – i have a grandaughter who is 3-1/2 and another one who is almost 2 and now they have a 3rd one on the way for the end of february – mne are totally in love with babies as i am sure owen will be too good luck to you all !
Grandma Coffee Mug says
April 25, 2018 at 4:05 AMFabulous video!!! Grandma’s reactions are priceless. It is a fantastic post. I really appreciate this blog post.