New baby card messages: 61 ideas to send with flowers

• “You're going to be amazing parents. Actually, you already are.”

• “Take all the time you need to get to know [Name]. We'll come by whenever you're ready, and we'll bring dinner.”

• “Congrats! Sleep when you can and let the dishes wait.”

• “To the new mom: you did something incredible. Sending you the biggest hug.”

• “To the new dad: congratulations! Soak up every minute of your leave.”

• “We love picturing the three of you together. Welcome, [Name], you landed in good hands.”

• “I'm an aunt! Welcome, [Name], I have so much to show you.”

• “My little brother is a dad. I'm so proud of you, and already crazy about your daughter.”

• “Welcome, [Name]. Your cousins can't wait to teach you all their tricks.”

• “Our family just got one person bigger, and what a person. Congratulations to you both.”

• “Thinking of the three of you. Call me the minute you need a hand, with anything at all.”

• “Welcome, [Name]. Grandma has been knitting, and Grandpa bought far too many toys.”

• “We're grandparents now, and we've never been happier. Thank you both.”

• “[Name], you have wonderful parents. We know, we raised them.”

• “Hugs to all three of you. We'll visit when you're ready, not a day before.”

• “Welcome, [Name], our first grandchild. Your high chair is already waiting at our place.”

• “I get to be your godmother, [Name]. I plan to be there for the big milestones, and the small ones too.”

• “Thank you for choosing me as godfather. I'm taking the job seriously, especially the ice cream part.”

• “[Name], your godmother has already planned your first day out together. In a few years.”

• “Being your godfather is an honor. Welcome, [Name].”

Sign a team card with the name of the department or the company, so the parents know who the flowers are from. According to the Swiss federal portal ch.ch, maternity leave in Switzerland lasts at least 14 weeks, and the other parent gets two weeks, to be taken within six months of the birth. The card can say you look forward to seeing them again, without rushing them.

• “Everyone on the team sends congratulations on the arrival of [Name]. Enjoy these weeks, we've got things covered.”

• “Congrats, new dad! The office can wait. These first days can't.”

• “Welcome, [Name]! Your mom has been telling us about you for months, and now we can't wait for photos.”

• “With warm congratulations from everyone in [department name]. Take good care of yourself and your family.”

• “Please accept our warmest congratulations on the birth of [Name]. We wish your family a wonderful start together.”

• “Welcome, [Name] and [Name]! You'll never be alone.”

• “Congratulations! Two cribs, two names and twice the cuddles.”

• “Twins! Tell us when we can come hold a baby so you can eat in peace.”

• “Well done, you two. From now on you'll do everything twice, except sleep.”

• “Two little hearts who arrived together. All our love to your family.”

Talk about arriving and family rather than birth, and use the words the parents use themselves.

• “We're so happy [Name] is part of your family now. Congratulations!”

• “Congratulations on welcoming [Name]! We're sharing in your joy.”

• “A growing family is always cause for celebration. Welcome, [Name].”

• “Welcome to your new home, [Name]. We'll get to know you at your own pace.”

Keep the jokes for people who'll enjoy them, and never after a difficult birth.

• “Congratulations! You now report to a tiny boss who doesn't believe in weekends.”

• “Welcome, [Name]. Pro tip: they cave fastest at 3 a.m.”

• “You'll sleep through the night again. Someday. Probably. Congrats!”

• “New roommate: pays no rent, yells at night, adorable anyway.”

• “Welcome, [Name]! You just got here and you already have the whole family wrapped around your finger.”

A religious message means a lot when you know the family shares that faith. If you're not sure, a message without religious references suits everyone.

• “May God bless [Name] and watch over your family.”

• “We give thanks with you for this little life. Welcome, [Name].”

• “On [Name]'s baptism: may the light of this day stay with you all your life.”

• “May [Name] grow up surrounded by love and trust. Wishing you all a beautiful baptism day.”

If the baby came early or the birth was hard, don't promise anything nobody can know. Say you're thinking of the family and that you're there, without expecting a reply. Every hospital has its own rules on flowers, and a baby in neonatal care sometimes stays in hospital longer than the mother, so send the flowers to their home instead.

• “Congratulations on [Name]. We're here for you, every step of the way.”

• “Welcome, [Name]. You arrived a little early, and so many people already love you.”

• “You're carrying a lot right now. A meal, a grocery run, a ride somewhere: just say the word.”

• “A few flowers for your home, with all our love to you and [Name].”

In the first few days, congratulations pour in. A few weeks later, things go quiet, and a bouquet stands out all the more. No need for a long apology: half a sentence will do.

• “A little late, but no less happy for you: welcome, [Name]!”

• “The first few weeks have flown by, and our joy hasn't faded. Here's to the weeks ahead.”

• “We wanted to wait until things calmed down a little. Here are our flowers, with all our love.”

• “Happy one month, [Name]! Your parents are doing an amazing job.”

• Length: two sentences and a signature are plenty. The field takes 500 characters, but a card is read in a few seconds.

• Signature: the first name the parents know you by, plus your last name if they know several people with that first name. For a team, the name of the department or company.

• Proofreading: the text is printed exactly as you write it. Check the spelling of the baby's name, especially if it can be spelled several ways.

• Maternity unit or home: the stay in the maternity unit is often just a few days. For a hospital delivery, give the mother's name, the hospital and the ward; the bouquet is handed to reception. If you don't know when the family will be home, home delivery is the safer choice.

• Timing: in the canton of Geneva, a bouquet ordered before 2 p.m. can be delivered the same day, Monday to Saturday. Elsewhere in Switzerland, order by 4 p.m. the day before for delivery Tuesday to Saturday. There is no delivery on Sundays.

• Before the birth: you can order ahead, choose a date after the due date and have the flowers delivered to their home.

For a bouquet made with the flowers that arrived this week, take a look at our seasonal bouquets.