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For many couples the initial celebrations of getting engaged are interrupted by a stream of breathless phone calls to friends, of announcing the good news and accepting invitations for impromptu get-togethers. But if you can slow down and take a deep breath, you can create some fun and unusual ways to ensure you really frame the moment. The longer you wait - the more magical your moment will be. The following are just a few ideas to get those creative juices flowing.

Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve - Have your engagement announcement printed on T-shirts and post or deliver them to the homes of friends. Use the back side of the shirt to invite them to join you both for a celebration dinner, drink or even round of golf. Remember to keep one for yourselves for the benefit of posterity!

Rise to the Occasion - Print your announcement on helium-filled balloons and tie them to the front door of friends' homes. This is your chance to do a "dickey-doorknock" just like the old days! For a slightly more economical alternative use non-helium balloons and post them flat to friends for them to inflate themselves. Contact: The Dublin Balloon Company, Main Street, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. Tel: (01) 269-3500. Fax: (01) 269-3563.

Get on the Airwaves - If the idea of hiring a billboard in Time Square suits your style but not your pocket, you could book a sixty second advertisement on your local radio station. Fun or formal, the radio station will be able to produce the ad for you - all you need to do is make sure your friends are tuning in. As an alternative, ask a DJ to play a special song and ask him to announce your engagement for you. Catch it on tape and distribute to friends who weren't on the airwaves.

It's Playback Time - Record your own personal message on tape and distribute to friends. This option gives you plenty of leeway regarding the length and content of your message and also allows you to personalise your delivery for each friend.

Love Songs - If you want to really see their jaws drop, hire a singing telegram. The Serenade Company provides tasteful Sing-a-grams to the Dublin area. Performers are dressed in a tuxedo and will sing your announcement to your friends Frank Sinatra style. Contact: The Serenade Company. Tel: (01) 670-4921. Mob: (087) 285-1281. depending on travel required.

In the News - Announcing your engagement in a national newspaper will not only ensure that friends and relatives you have lost contact with can hear your news, but will also ensure that you really can "frame the moment". Don't be put off by the formality that is sometimes used with papers, you can choose any wording you like. Have some fun by delivering a copy of the newspaper to the homes of special friends, along with a note to point them to the page of your announcement. Simply add a rose or ribbon for the prettiest home-delivery they'll ever get. Contact: The Irish Times, Tel: (01) 679-2022. Fax: (01) 679-7991. The Irish Times publishes engagement notices on Saturdays and requires written confirmation of your announcement on the previous Wednesday. They also require a contact telephone number to confirm the authenticity of the announcement. Bookings are not accepted by email. The Irish Independent: Tel: (01) 705-5444. Fax: (01)705-5555. The Irish Independent publishes engagement notices daily from Monday to Saturday and will require written confirmation of your booking by the morning of the previous day. Bookings are not accepted by email.

Remember that it will mean so much to friends to be on your guest list for a get-together or your delivery list for balloons, T-shirts or anything else you might think of. Take some time to ensure that you don't leave anyone out. And don't panic if you're watching your pennies. Extra creativity need not mean extra cost - just think how Daisy has been immortalised by her bicycle made for two!