A birthday party invitation card can be an indication of the actual theme of a party, but you can go one step further and also decorate the envelopes to [...]]]>

Whether you mail your kid’s birthday party invitation cards or deliver it by hand, you will in most cases, need an envelope to protect the card.

A birthday party invitation card can be an indication of the actual theme of a party, but you can go one step further and also decorate the envelopes to lend a “party feeling” to the invitation.

Take a look at the few examples in the image to see how you can decorate  plain envelopes with coloured paper shapes to suit the theme of your child’s birthday party.

When you design (or buy/order online) an invitation card for your child’s birthday, the last thing you think about is the envelope. Normally you will get plain white or coloured envelopes to put the invitation card in, you write the names of the party guests on the envelope and either mail or hand deliver it and forget about it amidst all the other party planning activities.

Why not spend a little more time to decorate the envelopes as well and give an indication to the party guests about the theme of the party? It can also help the parents of the party invitees to decide upon a suitable gift for your child.

You can use plain white envelopes and just use cutouts from coloured construction paper to assemble different images. For instance, for a flower or garden party you can draw a big flower that will completely cover the envelope when it is pasted to the back of the flower.

Another idea that comes to mind is the lovable ugly face of Shrek! Just find some images online, copy and print it and attach the envelope to the back of the face. You can even use double sided tape to create 3-D envelope covers.

Colouring books are also a great source for finding images that can be photocopied or scanned before printing it out. Just imagine the delight on the faces of the kids you and your child invite to the party when you present them for instance, with an invitation that has a big zebra, giraffe or elephant face on the envelope when you host a safari themed party!

It may happen sometimes that the invitation card will not fit into a normal sized envelope.  Don’t stress!  Make your own envelopes from either white or coloured construction paper by just measuring the invitation card and adding a few inches/centimetres to make the flaps.

Measure the length and width of your card and add 20 mm to each. Use these measurements to draw a rectangle in the middle of a large sheet of paper of choice. Draw a bottom flap approximately three-quarters the width of the rectangle and a top flap approximately half its width. Draw two side flaps each about 40 mm wide.

Cut out the envelope, tapering the sides slightly to make folding easier. Fold in the side flaps first, then glue the bottom flap to them.

Be careful not to get glue inside the envelope. Put your card inside the envelope and glue down the top flap.

You may need to adjust your measurements slightly if your card is an unusual shape.

Please note: The image of the envelope is not an envelope template. It is purely for information purposes.

You can also design the envelopes on your computer. Again measure the width and height of the invitations cards, open the graphics program and draw a rectangle to size. Then play around with different flaps before printing out the envelopes.

The envelope that I used for the spiral invitation cards for my granddaughter’s 4th birthday party was designed by drawing a square and circles in one of my graphics programs.

Have fun designing your child’s birthday party invitations and coming up with ideas to decorate the invitation envelopes as well.

Do an [...]]]>

You have finalised the guest list and now it is time to start thinking about the invitations for the theme party. You can purchase invitations online, make them, or buy them from a card shop or discount store. A great many sites allow you to create your own birthday party invitation online free.

Do an internet Google search for “Free Printable Birthday Invitations” and you will have hundreds of possibilities at your fingertips. The great thing about creating your own is you can make the perfect party invitation to match the theme of the party.

If you have an odd or bizarre theme, it may be hard to buy one that is fitting. Your invitation sets the mood for the party so try your best to reflect the theme in your invitation. In addition, add any special requirements such as if there is a dress code as far as the theme (e.g. sledding party you would want everyone to have proper gear, roller skating, bring them if you have them, dress up parties and costume parties, pirates, e.t.c.)

Invitations should be sent out no later than two weeks prior to the grand event. The delivering of the party invitations can sometimes be a bit tricky especially if your child is hand delivering them at school. Those not invited may feel jilted and have hurt feelings. One suggestion is that you ask the teacher to put the individual cards in the appropriate student’s book bag at the end of the day, or if your child is old enough, ask that they discreetly hand them out and why. Mailing the invitations is another option but if you do not have all the guests home addresses, it may not be plausible.

Make sure to always include a RSVP within the invitation, the time the party starts and ends, if gifts are not required, state that as well. A week before the party, call anyone who has yet to RSVP. When dealing with children they can be known for misplacing things that are to be given to their parents.

A parent may have not responded because they were not even aware of the event. Approximately two or three days before the party confirm the total headcount that will be attending. This will help you to know if you may have to pick up a few more items.

It is not necessary to invite everyone you or you child can think about. You can limit the guest list to your child’s close friends and family members if they live nearby. Don’t worry if the mother of one of the children not included in the list, feels offended. It [...]]]>

Keep the guest list short:

It is not necessary to invite everyone you or you child can think about. You can limit the guest list to your child’s close friends and family members if they live nearby. Don’t worry if the mother of one of the children not included in the list, feels offended. It is your child’s party and if he or she is not friends with this other kid, let it go. The mother will also get over it in time.

Time the invitations:

A child’s birthday party invitations can safely be send out two weeks before the party. People tend to forget and the invitation can get lost amongst other letters if you send it out earlier. State the time the party start and end clearly on the invitation. That way people will know not to overstay their welcome.

Don’t expect everybody on the list to let you know that their child/children will attend the party. It is good practice to phone the ones that have not responded to find out if they will attend so that you can cater more accurately.

If parents drop off their children for the party, remind them about the time they must pick up the children again or else you will have a few tired, grumpy kids on your hands until the parents eventually remember to pick them up.

Avoid weekend parties:

If you plan a small party for your child, it is best not to have it on a weekend. You will find that the brothers, sisters and even cousins will tag along and you may have to budget for more children than you originally planned for. Friday afternoons can be quite a good time to have a smaller party as all the extramural school activities normally run from Monday to Thursday.

However, if you do enjoy huge parties and family gatherings, have the party on a Saturday and enjoy it!