By Criss White

Even with modern technology like email and cell phones, printed invitations have remained the most common way to let people know about your upcoming party and will continue to remain popular due to the timeless rules of party etiquette. Invitations can be a major cost, especially for large parties, like weddings and some baby showers. However, with a little creativity and time, you can make your own printable invitations, even if you have no artistic skills.

1. The first step is designing your card. You can use a simple word processor like Microsoft Word and if you want, you can go to the Adobe’s website at http://createpdf.adobe.com to convert your file into a pdf file. Select the proper dimensions and print out a sample on some plain white paper just to make sure it is the right size.

2. Next, you will want to find the proper card stock to print out your invitations on. Your local office supply store will have these and you can purchase them inexpensively there.

3. Use the word processor to insert text boxes with the words you want on your invitation. Play around with the fonts and text color.

4. There are many sites that offer free clip art and pictures that you can use for your invitations. Just do a search for “free clip art” on the search engines and you will find many sites that provide these services for free. Browse through and download the pictures you want and then insert them into your card at the desired location.

5. If you use a background image, make sure it does not obscure the text on the card. Ideally, background images should be watermarked. Most word processors will allow you to select background images and make them watermarks. Another alternative is to click on all the text boxes and give them solid colored backgrounds.

6. Need a catchy poem or verse? Once again, you can search the internet for related verses. For example, if I am making baby shower invitations, then I can search for “baby shower poem” or “baby verse” and any other related phrases.

7. Save the master copy of the finished card and print out a sample copy on plain paper to see what it will look like. If it looks good, then you can start personalizing each card and printing it out on card stock.

8. If you do not have a color printer, then create a personalized copy for each guest and save it as a separate file on a disk. Take the disk to your local print shop and have them print out a invitation for each guest. Some print shops may even print out the invitations for you if you give them the guest list and template. A print shop will cost more than printing them out yourself, but probably less than buying invitations from somewhere else. Plus the product should look very professional and they may even have the right card stock available. Additionally, print shops can do engraved invitations as well, which are good for upscale occasions like weddings.

Some other guidelines include try to stick to a central theme, don’t try to use too many pictures and colors, and compare your card to others at card stores to get a feel for what a good invitation should look like. Remember that most invitations are simple and have just a few graphics and maybe one verse. As you can see, there are infinite possibilities when creating your own party invitations and not only is it a fun project, but will also save you money.

About the Author:
Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics for baby and pregnancy websites. For more personalized gift ideas, go to Personalized Baby Shower Favors and for more candle gift ideas, see Baby Shower Candle Favors.

By Kimberly Meister

Great news! Your friend is pregnant! You are excited for her and want to throw her a baby shower. But where do you begin? The following timeline will help you accomplish this task with ease.

Four to Five Months Prior to the Baby’s Birth
When the expectant mother is about four to five months pregnant, you will want to let her know that you intend to throw her a baby shower.

When will the shower take place? The best time for a baby shower is either about two months before the baby is due or about 3-4 weeks after the baby is born. Ask the mother-to-be if she prefers to have the shower before or after the baby is born. Together, the hosts and guest of honor should choose a date that works well for everyone. Also, jot down as many details as you can.

Where will the shower be? If you will not be having the shower at someone’s home, now is the time to book the restaurant, hall, etc.

Who will be invited? Ask the mother-to-be to make a list of guests to invite. Give her a week or two to get the list to you and have her include addresses so you can easily mail the invitations.

What kind of shower will this be? You can choose a theme if you would like. Even if you don’t have a theme, you will want to determine whether the shower will be a brunch, luncheon, or dinner. You will also want to choose colors if you will be buying plates and napkins. If the sex of the baby is known, you may want to use blue things or pink things.

Six to Eight Weeks Prior to the Shower
This is the time to start buying everything you will need for the shower.

Invitations: The invitations are very important. They set the theme or the mood for the shower. It gives the guests their first glimpse of the special event. Be sure to include an RSVP as this makes it easier for you to plan. Also, be sure to ask the mother-to-be if she is registered for baby gifts and where. Some of the guests may ask for this information when they call to RSVP.

Paper products: If you will need paper plates, cups, napkins, plastic silverware, decorations, and tablecloths, start looking now. You don’t need to buy everything at this time, but if you keep your eyes open, you may just find a sale.

Party favors: Look for a small gift to give each guest to take home. If you are planning to play games at the shower, start collecting the items you will need and begin to purchase prizes.

One Month Prior to the Shower

One to Two Weeks Prior to the Shower

The Day of the Shower

About the Author:
Kimberly Meister is a personal stationary consultant for www.TulipPress.com and helps people choose the wording for their invitations and birth announcements. To sign up for discounts on invitations and birth announcements, send an email to support@tulippress.com.

By Mike Dougherty

You’re so excited
Here’s a first birthday party idea that will preserve your child’s party, an important event in the life of your child and your family.

This is a special time to celebrate, remember, and look back at how much your baby has grown and learned in just one year.

Unlike other birthdays
Your child’s 1st birthday party is more for you, your family and friends. At only one year of age, your baby doesn’t understand all the fuss and excitement and why there are so many people in your home.

First Birthday Party Idea – You’re making memories
Even though your child is too young to appreciate their first birthday right now, you need to make sure that years from now when your child is old enough, they’ll be able to enjoy all the fun activities, gifts, food, family and friends that helped celebrate their very first birthday.

Here’s how
Pictures, a scrapbook and video or a DVD.

Take lots and lots of pictures and shoot lots of video. You can take too few pictures, but you can’t take too many pictures of your child’s first birthday party.

Set a goal
You want to document the entire celebration. Later on you can choose the best pictures to include in your scrapbook and DVD.

Treasured Keepsakes
Here’s a fun project that’s sure to become a treasured keepsake. Put together a special scrapbook about your child’s first birthday.

Include your pictures in chronological order, save a party napkin (especially if it’s a theme napkin), save an invitation and anything else that will help make your scrapbook special.

And if you shoot video or take digital pictures, either you or someone else can put together a precious DVD so that future generations to come will be able to see what everyone looked like “way back when.”

Your DVD can include shots of your baby’s room, special toys, stuffed animals and crib. And you can use a special song in your video.

Put your party together
Schedule your party at a time that works best with your baby’s schedule. You don’t want them to be fussy or cranky because they didn’t have their nap.

The party should only last a couple of hours because all the excitement will begin making your child tired and that can lead to being cranky and spoiling the party.

And remember that your young guests have a very short attention span too. So keep your games and activities short and simple.

Make your invitations interesting an fun
Your invitation should be fun, interesting and precious. Remember, you want everyone to know you’re going to be celebrating a very special event in your family’s life.

Use a phrase like “look who’s turning one year old” and include their newborn picture.

Just for fun
Make the newborn picture into a 3 or 4 piece puzzle. Or give then only one small piece of the puzzle and ask everyone to being their puzzle piece so the puzzle can be put together as a party activity.

Make sure to copy all the pieces in case someone doesn’t show up.

Decorate your home with a party theme
Do you have a theme for your baby’s room? That can be your party theme. Or you can use fun themes like Noah’s Ark, Sesame Street, Pooh or Over the Rainbow just to name a few.

Online party stores carry lots of wonderful first birthday party supplies for just about any theme you can imagine. To learn more just click on the link below this article.

The games you can play
Play games so the adults can assist the little ones.

Stack soft blocks, roll a ball, read a very short story, sing songs, do “baby art work” using crayons an paper.

Remember when
Put together a scrapbook of pictures and memories from the birth of your child, bringing baby home for the first time, baby’s first bath and all the special times through out their first year.

This gives everyone an opportunity to see the wonderful progress your child has made during their very first year.

Food and other goodies
You may want to have snacks available for the grown-ups and of course you’ll want to have a special cake.

First birthday cakes
You’ll have lots of fun putting together your little one’s birthday cake. You can put together a special cake that fits perfectly with your party theme. You’ll find theme candles and oh-so-cute cake decorations that will turn your cake into a masterpiece.

It’s going to be so much fun!

Yes, with this first birthday party idea, your child’s party is going to be a very special event, one you want to capture with lots of pictures and video that will be remembered and enjoyed for years to come.

And when your baby gets to be old enough, they’ll really enjoy seeing their first birthday party too.

Have fun.

About The Author
Mike Dougherty “Grandpa Mike” has lots of experience putting together successful birthday parties for his children and grandchildren. For more information visit http://fun-kid-birthday-parties.com/first-birthday-party-ideas.html.