Buying the gift is the easy part. Here's what to actually write, sorted by exactly who you are to the mum-to-be.
You've got the gift sorted. You're standing there with the card, pen hovering, and suddenly "congratulations!" feels both too much and not enough. Card panic is real, and it hits everyone from best friends to office acquaintances who drew the short straw on the gift register.
Below are 100 messages sorted by relationship, from best friend to boss, funny to heartfelt, short to a bit longer. Pick one, tweak it so it sounds like you, and sign it. That's genuinely the whole job.
A Quick Note Before You Write
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It's completely fine to keep it short. A genuine two-line message beats a long, generic paragraph every time.
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Match the tone to your actual relationship. A message that's perfect from a best friend can feel oddly intense from a colleague you nod at in the lift.
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If this pregnancy followed loss, a difficult fertility journey, or a long wait, it's worth keeping things warm but not over the top. A simple, sincere message usually reads better than anything that leans hard on "finally" or "meant to be," since you may not know the full story even if you think you do.
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You don't need to mention the birth, labour, or "enjoy your last few weeks of sleep" jokes if you don't know the person well enough for that kind of humour to work.
For Your Best Friend
1. I have loved you through so many chapters, and watching you become a mum is one of my favourite ones yet.
2. You are going to be so good at this. I'm already obsessed with your baby and they're not even here yet.
3. From late-night chats to late-night feeds, I'm here for all of it. Love you endlessly.
4. Watching you grow this tiny human has been one of the best parts of this year. Can't wait to meet them.
5. You're about to become someone's whole world, and honestly, that baby has no idea how lucky they are.
6. I've seen you handle everything life's thrown at you with grace. This will be no different, except with way less sleep.
7. Congratulations doesn't feel like enough, so just know I am so ridiculously happy for you.
8. Save me a spot on the babysitting roster. I've been ready for this role for years.
9. You're going to be an incredible mum, and I already can't wait to spoil this baby rotten.
10. Here's to sleepless nights, tiny socks, and the best kind of chaos. I love you and I'm so proud of you.
For Your Sister (or Sister-in-Law)
11. Watching our family grow by one more tiny person is the best kind of news. Congratulations, sis.
12. You've always looked out for me, and now you get to do it for someone even smaller. They're lucky to have you.
13. I can't wait to be the favourite aunt. Kidding (not really). Congratulations, I love you.
14. Our family just got so much bigger and so much better. So happy for you and yours.
15. You're going to be such a natural at this. I've watched you take care of everyone your whole life.
16. From sharing a room to sharing this next chapter with you from a distance, congratulations, sis.
17. This baby is going to be so loved before they even arrive. Welcome to the family, little one.
18. I'm equal parts thrilled for you and terrified for your sleep schedule. Congratulations, I love you so much.
19. Can't wait to spoil this baby the way I never got to spoil you (much).
20. Family just got an upgrade. So excited to meet the newest member.
For a Family Member (Mum, Aunt, Cousin or Grandparent-to-Be)
21. Congratulations on this beautiful new addition to the family. Sending so much love to you all.
22. What wonderful news. Wishing you a smooth rest of your pregnancy and a very healthy baby.
23. So thrilled to welcome a new little one into the family. Congratulations to you both.
24. Watching our family tree grow is one of life's best surprises. Congratulations and all my love.
25. Wishing you all the joy, love and (hopefully) sleep in the months ahead. Congratulations.
26. Becoming a grandparent again is such a gift. I know this baby is going to be endlessly loved.
27. So happy for you and the whole family. Can't wait to meet the newest little addition.
28. Sending love and excitement your way as you get ready to meet your little one.
29. This is such wonderful news. Wishing you a healthy pregnancy and a very happy welcome home.
30. Congratulations on your growing family. This baby is already so wanted and so loved.
From a Mum (or Mother-in-Law) to Her Daughter
31. Watching you become a mother is one of the greatest joys of my life. I love you more than words.
32. I remember holding you for the first time, and now I get to watch you do the same. So proud of you.
33. You are going to be an incredible mother, because I watched you become an incredible woman first.
34. There is nothing quite like watching your child become a parent. I am so full of love for you both.
35. This baby is so lucky to have you as their mum. I've never been prouder of anyone.
36. I'm here for anything you need, day or night, just like always. I love you so much.
37. Watching our family grow another generation is a gift I don't take for granted. Congratulations, my darling.
38. You've made me a mother, and now you're about to become one. Full circle, and I love every bit of it.
39. I can't wait to spoil this baby the way I always spoiled you. Congratulations, sweetheart.
40. My heart is so full. I love you, and I already love this baby more than I can say.
For a Colleague or Work Friend
41. Congratulations on the exciting news! Wishing you a smooth and healthy pregnancy.
42. So happy for you and your family. The office won't be the same without you, but enjoy every moment.
43. Wishing you all the best as you prepare to welcome your little one. Congratulations!
44. What exciting news to share with the team. Sending you lots of good wishes for the months ahead.
45. Congratulations! Hope you're taking it easy and soaking up all the excitement.
46. So thrilled for you. Enjoy every bit of this next chapter, you've earned it.
47. Wishing you a healthy and happy pregnancy, and an even happier welcome home with the baby.
48. Congratulations on the wonderful news. The whole team is so excited for you.
49. Sending warm congratulations your way. Can't wait to see photos when the baby arrives.
50. Wishing you all the best as you start this new adventure. Congratulations!
For Someone You Don't Know Well
51. Congratulations on your growing family! Wishing you a smooth pregnancy and a healthy baby.
52. So happy to celebrate this exciting news with you. All the best for the months ahead.
53. Wishing you and your family so much happiness as you welcome your little one.
54. Congratulations! Hope this next chapter brings you so much joy.
55. Sending warm wishes for a healthy pregnancy and a wonderful start to parenthood.
56. What lovely news. Congratulations to you both.
57. Wishing you all the best as you prepare for your baby's arrival.
58. Congratulations on this exciting milestone. Enjoy every moment.
59. So happy for you. Wishing you health and happiness in the months ahead.
60. Congratulations! Here's to a smooth pregnancy and a happy, healthy baby.
Short and Sweet (When You're Not Sure What to Say)
61. Congratulations! So excited for you.
62. Wishing you all the best with your new arrival.
63. So happy for you both. Congratulations!
64. Can't wait to meet the newest addition. Congratulations!
65. Sending so much love as you welcome your little one.
66. Congratulations! This is going to be so good.
67. What wonderful news. Congratulations to you all.
68. So thrilled for you. Enjoy this exciting time.
69. Congratulations! Wishing you health and happiness ahead.
70. Big congratulations coming your way.
Funny and Light-Hearted
71. Congratulations! May your coffee stay hot and your patience run long.
72. Welcome to the club where sleep is a rumour and love is unconditional. Congratulations!
73. Get ready for tiny socks everywhere and a heart twice the size it used to be.
74. Congratulations! Stock up on snacks, you're going to need one hand free forever now.
75. Here's to sleepless nights and the best kind of exhausted. Congratulations!
76. Fair warning: you're about to fall in love in a way you didn't know was possible. Congratulations!
77. Congratulations! Your Netflix watchlist is about to get a lot more "background noise."
78. May your baby sleep through the night early and often. A girl can dream. Congratulations!
79. Welcome to parenthood, where the bar is "kept them alive" and you'll absolutely clear it. Congratulations!
80. Congratulations! Time to trade sleep-ins for tiny toes, and honestly, worth it.
Religious or Faith-Based
81. Wishing you God's blessings as you prepare to welcome this precious new life.
82. May this little one be surrounded by faith, love and family from the very first day.
83. Praying for a safe and healthy delivery, and a lifetime of blessings for your growing family.
84. What a gift from above. Congratulations, and may your family be blessed abundantly.
85. Wishing you strength, peace and joy as you welcome this beautiful blessing.
86. May God watch over you and your baby every step of this journey. Congratulations.
87. So grateful to celebrate this blessing with you. Wishing your family peace and joy.
88. Praying for you as you prepare to meet your little one. What a beautiful gift.
89. May your home be filled with even more love, laughter and blessings from here on.
90. Wishing you and your family God's grace and protection as you welcome your baby.
For a Second (or Third, or More) Baby
91. Congratulations on baby number two! Your first is going to be the best big sibling.
92. Here we go again! So excited to meet the newest addition to your crew.
93. Congratulations! You clearly make it look easy, because you're doing it all over again.
94. Wishing you a smooth pregnancy and an even easier transition for the whole family.
95. Your family just keeps getting better. Congratulations on this next little one.
96. Round two! Congratulations, and enjoy every bit of this next chapter.
97. Congratulations! I hope this pregnancy is treating you kindly, especially with a toddler in tow.
98. Your house is about to get louder and even more full of love. Congratulations!
99. So happy your family is growing again. Congratulations to all of you, big siblings included.
100. Congratulations on baby number two (or three!). Your kids are so lucky to have you.
If You Can't Make It to the Shower
Etiquette-wise, you're off the hook on the gift. Mum's Grapevine, quoting Melbourne etiquette expert Susie Wilson, is clear that if you don't attend, you don't need to send a gift, though you're welcome to if you'd like. A card on its own is a perfectly good gesture, and a line acknowledging you're not there goes a long way:
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Wish I could be there in person, but I'm celebrating you from afar. Congratulations!
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So sorry to miss the shower, but sending all my love and excitement your way.
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Couldn't be there today, but I'm thinking of you and cheering you on from a distance. Congratulations!
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Missing the celebration but not the congratulations. So happy for you.
If You're Also After a Gift to Go With It
The card covers the words. If the gift is still undecided, the relationship you've just picked a message for is a decent guide to that too. A best friend or a sister is the person who buys the thing she'll actually reach for every single night of the third trimester, which is where a Sleepybelly Pregnancy Pillow tends to come from.
A colleague or someone you don't know as well is more likely to go for something smaller and still useful, like Maternity Compression Socks. For more ideas at every budget, we've put together guides on the best baby shower gifts for every expectant mum and thoughtful gift ideas if you're buying for a pregnant wife or partner. And if you're the one organising the shower rather than just attending, our guide to baby shower etiquette in Australia and our list of baby shower games guests actually enjoy cover the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't know the baby's name or gender?
That's completely normal and doesn't need to change your message at all. Most of these messages work regardless of whether the name or gender is known. "Your little one" or "this baby" covers it fine.
Is it okay to be funny in a baby shower card?
Yes, if it matches how you'd normally talk to that person. Humour tends to work best from close friends and family rather than colleagues or people you don't know well, so read the room a little before going for a joke.
What do I write if I can't attend the shower?
Acknowledge it briefly and warmly rather than skipping over it. A line like "wish I could be there, but I'm celebrating you from afar" covers it without dwelling on it.
How do I sign a card that's from a group or the whole office?
Keep the message itself general enough to suit everyone, then have each person sign their own name individually rather than trying to write something that represents the whole group's voice.
What should I avoid writing in a baby shower card?
Generally best avoided: labour or delivery horror stories, heavy "just wait until" warnings about how hard parenting is, and anything that assumes details you're not actually sure of, like the due date, gender, or whether this is a first baby. When in doubt, warm and simple always works.
These messages are suggestions to personalise, not a script. The best card is still the one that sounds like you.
