Ingenuous Invitations!
Aug 08 '00
The first step in throwing any kind of get together involves getting the word out to people. The invitation is a potential guests’ first indication of what kind of party they will be attending, and may help them decide if they really want to go. It is always good to make a good first impression. I have put together some creative ideas for invitations to different kinds of themed parties, from children’s birthdays to baby showers. You’re invited to check them all out.
Children’s Birthdays
Children’s birthday party invitations are perhaps the easiest to be creative with. There are hundreds of pre-made party sets available depicting every cartoon character available, but I like to deviate from store bought invites. Try sending themed bubblegum cards (pokemon cards, baseball cards) with a note attached. Another one of my favorite mediums to work with is sheets of foam. These sheets can be found at wal-mart or craft stores for 44 cent to 59 cents apiece. For a butterfly themed party cut out a butterfly shape from the foam (use a cookie cutter for a pattern) and attached it to the end of a pencil. Put two half inch slits in the center of the pattern and slip the pencil through them to create a kind of wand. For a Batman party cut out little black bats (this is great for Halloween too). I can fit 6 good-sized butterfly/bat patterns on one sheet of foam. What kid can resist candy? For an outdoor party, or one with a bug theme, hand out invites with gummy worms. For a tea party theme attach tea bags to a homemade card, perhaps cut into the shape of a teacup or teapot. Another big hit is a balloon invitation. Blow up a balloon, write your information on it while it is extended and let it dry. Permanent marker works best. Once the message is dried deflate the balloon and it is ready to be given away. An invitation can be written on anything from paper pirate hats, to beach balls. Letting the little ones hand decorate blank cards always works too, and it is fun.
Adult Birthdays
Adults don’t usually have super-hero or sprinkler birthday parties like children do. Many times it is a gaggle of friends come to celebrate and eat some cake with the birthday boy or girl and that is it. A more popular theme that IS used is “Over the Hill”, even if it has been beat half to death. Invitations to this kind of party could be made to represent a tombstone or funeral notice, or any fun type of geriatric product.
Baby Showers
Invitations can be sent many different ways for a shower. Some can even double as gifts. For example, newborn diapers with an invite tag in the shape of a little foot could be used. Be sure to tell the recipient to bring the diaper to the party where it will go inside a diaper bag for the mother-to-be. Inexpensive baby bottles can also carry invitations. Insert a paper with the party information and instructions to bring the bottle for the mother. Fill the bottles with blue and pink jellybeans for an added treat. Baby bibs, bath toys, or any other small product can also be used. Handmade cards can easily be tied or pinned to them.
Other ideas
Paper fans, party hats, pictures, toys, trinkets, pencils, erasures, cookies, balls, bottles of water with self printed stickers covering the labels, tea lights, artificial flower stems, seed packets, and bath sponges can all be used depending on the type of party you are having. Even if you can’t write directly on the item it self, like the tea light for example, you can wrap it in brightly colored plastic wrap or tulle and attach a homemade note. Many of these ideas do not go through the mail well and will have to be hand delivered. Hand delivering invitations makes it more personal anyway. Whatever you decided to use, have fun with it. Sending the invitations should be one of the least stressful things you should have to do when planning a party. If just thinking about time it will take to cut out cards or play in craft foam makes you want to cry, remember there is always Hallmark!
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Epinions.com ID:
jodycw
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Member: Jody White
Location: Tucson, AZ
Reviews written: 55
Trusted by: 5 members
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