By now you should have decided upon the date, time and the location of the party. You should also have decided upon a theme for the party and finalised the guest list.

The next step in your party planning is to decide about the party invitations. The [...]]]>

So, how’s your kid’s party planning coming along?

By now you should have decided upon the date, time and the location of the party. You should also have decided upon a theme for the party and finalised the guest list.

The next step in your party planning is to decide about the party invitations. The invitations should fit the theme of the party and should contain all the details about the party.

You can find a list of these details in the 3 Tips for Party Invitation Planning as well as information on when you should send out the invitations.

As you will see, it is not necessary to send out the invitations more than 2 weeks before the party, however, don’t wait until that time to start with the invitations.

It is all too easy to forget about the invitations and before you know it, your child’s birthday party is just around the corner and you will find yourself without any invitation cards (and worse, no guests!)

Once you start thinking about the party invitations, you should also decide if you are going to buy them or make them yourself.

Of course it is easier to buy them and you will be able to find something that will just be right for the theme of the birthday party. In most cases party supply stores stock the whole range of a party theme, from the invitation cards and envelopes right through to the decorations, plates, napkins, cups and cutlery.

On the other hand, it is so much more fun to make the invitations yourself. You can make them as plain as you like or you can put in some extra effort and come up with something totally different from the everyday, normal printed cards.

An invitation card needs an envelope! Move away from boring white or plain coloured envelopes by decorating the party invitation envelopes with paper shapes.

Not in the mood to fold envelopes from scratch and then cut and glue paper shapes to it?  Download my tutorial to fill envelope and  stamp templates with your own images.

With all the coloured paper and card stock on the market, it is easy to make invitation cards that will delight your child and the  party guests.

• Decorate plain coloured cards with different shapes cut from plain paper and arranged into patterns.

• Design shaped cards by drawing round a template to make all the cards the same shape – the party’s theme will be obvious from the shape of the card.

• Party extras like paper hats, crowns and masks can be sent as the invitations to be worn to the party.

• Write invitations on deflated balloons or beach balls with instructions to bring it along to the party.

• Write a message in secret code or with invisible ink for a mystery or science party.

• Use music sheets to write invitations to music parties or make drums from small empty coffee tins and place invitations inside.

•  For a safari party you can make binoculars from two empty toilet rolls painted in green and yellow and attach the invitation to the binoculars.

• When you host a spa party for your daughter, you can write the invitations on squares of pastel tissue paper.  Place each square in a small box, add a small soap or fizz ball/bath bomb as well as the invitation. Close the box and tie with a narrow ribbon.

With a little bit of imagination and some creativity, you can ensure that your child’s birthday party invitations will be remembered for many weeks after the party.

Your turn: What was the most unusual invitation you ever made for your child’s birthday party? Were the party invitees impressed with it when you delivered it?

Tell us about it, please.

Thank You cards are  just as important as [...]]]>

Whether you make your child’s birthday party invitations yourself or buy ones from a store or order it online, there are times that you really forget about the Thank You cards that have to be delivered at the end of the party or a few days afterwards.

Thank You cards are  just as important as the invitation cards. Not only let they make the party guests feel special after the party, but Thank You cards also play an important part in teaching your children good manners from an early age.

Your child should take part in all the party planning from the early stages of deciding about the party theme, guest list, the party invitations as well as all the other stages of the planning, so why not also let them lend a hand in making  Thank You cards and envelopes that they can personally deliver a few days after the party.

Here’s an example of a cheerful Flower Garden Thank You Card with pretty little “flowers”. It is sure to delight all the party guests and brings back happy memories even years after the actual party.

Please note: For the purpose of the image/example, I designed the card on my computer and used photos of my granddaughter.

The instructions to make the card is for a handmade card that your child can make.

You will need:

• Face shots of each party guests, so do remember to take individual photos of them during the party.
• White card stock (approximately A4 or letter size – yes, this is quite a big Thank You card)
• Coloured paper or old garden magazines
• Koki or  colour pencils
• glue
• scissors

Not only is it an invitation and envelope in one, but the ways [...]]]>

A few weeks ago my daughter received an invitation to a baby shower. At first glance I was not really impressed with the card, but the more I looked at it, the more I realised the potential of a card like this.

Not only is it an invitation and envelope in one, but the ways that you can decorate and personalise it to suit any party theme, are endless. All you need is a square piece of cardstock, (the size is entirely up to you), and then you can use your imagination to come up with beautiful, unique party theme invitation cards.

I think that these invitation cards are more suitable for hand delivery, but there is nothing to stop you from making an envelope when you have to mail it to the party guests as well.

The blue card on the photo is the one that my daughter received. See the interesting way that the card was sealed? It is a 3D image of a bull (Blue Bulls, to be exact)!

The father to be ( I think the mother too), is  a big fan of one of the popular  rugby teams in South Africa. The couple expected a boy, so the theme of the baby shower centered around bulls and the blue and white colours of the rugby team.

 The seal was made by printing and cutting two images of the Blue Bulls logo, then turned into a 3D image by putting the two images together with two small squares of double sided mounting tape. It was then glued to a small square, cut from red card stock.

I made two other cards to show you how easy it is to make them for a theme party for your child’s birthday.

This is how you will fold the card after measuring and cutting a square from a piece of card stock (I used the A4 (80g) card available in South Africa for printing and craft purposes and cut a 20cm x 20cm square from it.)

                                                Invitation card inside                                                Front of the card with a fake flower and a name tag

The next card is an example for a zoo party. I made the invitation on my computer and then used a few foam stickers, (bought for next to nothing at a dollar store) for further decoration.

A few ideas: Write the invitation details with a coloured or glitter pen instead of using printed invitations. You can even write down the party details on the flaps, inside or on the outside, the choice is yours.

Don’t just use card stock – gift wrapping paper glued to sheets of white paper and then cut into squares, can make interesting cards, especially if you can find wrapping paper that fits in with the theme of your child’s birthday party.

Use ribbon to close the card, simply make holes in the flaps with a paper punch, thread ribbon through the holes and tie. Finish with a pretty bow.

So there you have it, an easy invitation card and envelope all in one.

As always, remember to have fun when you plan your child’s birthday party!

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.