Wednesday, March 27, 2013

How To Create Perfect Birthday Invitations



Birthday parties are an exciting time, and the perfect invitation can set the tone for the perfect party.  While anyone can choose to buy pre-printed, cookie cutter invitations from their local department store, there are other options to help you create the best birthday invitation for your party.

The first step in choosing birthday invitations is to decide on the theme of the party.  A great invitation will help show guests what to expect at the party, and a themed invite can be a fun way of introducing any special plans for the day.  If the party is going to be held at a special location like a bowling alley, laser tag arena, or pizza parlor, choose invitations that reflect this.  If the party is a sweet 16, a first birthday, or a 21st birthday, there are many designs available to choose from.

After you have determined the theme of the birthday invitations, there are many boutiques and online shops that allow you to personalize your invitations.  These can be as extravagant or chic as you desire, and the only limitation is the amount of money you are willing to spend.  You can also choose larger sizes or shapes that will make your invitation truly stand out, as well as personalized envelopes to ensure your invitations fit.

If you are the creative type, you always have the option of creating your own unique handmade birthday invitations.  These invitations can be made of anything, and are a great way to express your individuality.  Personalized birthday invitations are also a great way of making sure the theme of your party is expressed, and they make a great keepsake for your guests.

Once you have the perfect invitation picked out, there are several things that need to be included in the invitation.  The first and last name of the honoree is a must so people know exactly who the party is for.  The month, date, and time should be clear, as well as the location.  Even though many guests can simply look up the directions with GPS, it is a good idea to include directions in the invite.  If the guests are expected to dress up, the invitation should mention it so there are no surprises. 

The invitation is the first thing guests see about the party, so choosing the best one helps set the tone for a great party.

Monday, March 25, 2013

From Rockabye Baby to a Rockefeller-Worthy Shower: Perfect Baby Shower Invitations



Baby showers can be daunting. There is food to plan, decorations, venue, guests, and more. One of the last things you want to fuss over is the invitation. Though seemingly simple, an invitation is the first-impression guests will have of your upcoming celebration. With that in mind, there are a few things to remember when selecting baby shower invitations:

Style, color, tone, and theme 

Do you have a theme for your party? If so, then you may want to select a thematic invitation. If not, do you know if the expected child is a boy or girl? This may also determine the style and primary colors for use in the invitations. If the gender of the expected baby is unknown, you may wish to go with more neutral colors, avoiding the traditional blue and pink. Will the party be formal, or casual? The tone of the party should also be reflected in the style of the invitations. If working with the guest of honor to plan the shower, be sure to consult them on all aspects of theme, tone, color, and style. If planning the shower yourself, you may want to consult a professional or friend.

What to write

Now that you have picked out the invite, you want to plan what to write on the invitations. There are a few pieces of information specifically need to appear. These include the name of the guest of honor, time, date, location, whether it is a surprise or not, and the RSVP terms and date (if any). If specifying that guests RSVP for the event, you want to make sure that you include contact information in the RSVP section. This may include a mailing address to return the card to, email address, or phone number. You may or may not wish to include the theme, dress code, baby gift registry information, or the child’s gender. Invitations to more formal showers may be worded differently than those to a casual shower. If you are a planner, helping someone to plan a shower that is not a surprise, then you also may want to check with the guest of honor. As always, those planning their own events can check with professionals.

If you remember these tips, you can rest-assured that you will choose the very best baby shower invitations for your big day!