How to make invitations that people can’t resist.
Be careful what you wish for. This is like buying that really comfy chair (from Lee Douglas of course) and then complaining because your uncle won’t get out of it on Thanksgiving. When it comes to party invites, if you put some effort into it …they will come!
The invitation is the first impression of your party. It sets the tone, it says, “I am so excited about you being there that I took this much time to make sure you come”. I have always gone overboard for invites because:
1_I want the people that I’m inviting to feel special and
2_I want them to know that if I put this much into my invite…just wait until you see the party.
When you entertain, it should not be about you, it should be about the guests you are inviting. If you stop and think “what will make this part special for my relatives and friends?”, it pays off. To put it another way, have you ever gone to a party and the guest list is awkward, the food sucks, the drinks are missing, and there is no entertainment? Do you go back? If you are going to do a party then do it, and if not, don’t. I am not saying everything has to be over the top, I am saying make it about your guests, because if it is about you, just make it a night in – there is a difference.
Wow …that was a lot of heavy- I’m glad I’ve never had to experience that, back to the invites.
I simply do this:
Think about the party and what if any the theme is – Halloween, employee Christmas party, birthday, etc. I seriously don’t just come up with ideas, I wander, or search. For example; Doug and I are getting ready to throw the LDI holiday party. I could have sent out an email to everyone and probably would have gotten the same response, but I want them to know – this is for and about you, this is about our team and this is going to be fun! I am going to use this invitation for an example to show you how it’s done.
1_I went to a craft store and just went up and down the aisles. Then I found a few options and what they could mean; a heart (I love my staff), a Chinese takeout box (2016 fortune), a ribbon with a ruler on it (this staff measures up), a picture frame (a picture of success), a champagne glass (cheers to you), you get the idea. I didn’t go out for a particular object, I just made time to see what was out there and how I could adapt a theme around it.
2_I chose a book box ($3.50/book) but it was really ugly (in my opinion). I bought 26 of them (can you believe we are up to that many employees), and decided to go with the theme, “Once upon a time”- for a storybook invitation.
3_I covered the book with mod podge and tissue paper. I was going to do craft paper and I have to credit Meg (my Assistant) as she is the one that said “let’s use our bronze tissue”. She loves a good paper craft project, at least she used to until I have completely burned her out!
4_We printed three different messages, 1. Once upon a time-(outside cover), 2. Once upon a time there was a little company named Lee Douglas Interiors and they worked really hard to hire only the best people in all of the land, and 3. All the pertinent party information.
5_I threw in some holiday cheer (old ribbon candy).
6_I tied it up with a ribbon to seal the deal.
7_I hand delivered to the staff, because they would have cost me $3.49 to mail. Total cost about $4/each and a little bit of labor.
I hope this helps you to think about the invite, no it’s not critical and please don’t take me off the list- just know the method behind my crazy!
Just to give you good for thought, here are some of my previous invites:
Voodoo doll for Halloween
You’re key to this party
This night is on fire (my 50th)
VIP pass for Doug’s 60th (wear your lanyard- that party was so fun)!
A message in a bottle for an island wedding shower.
Luggage tags for a going away party
Use any reason to celebrate, use your creativity to tell the story and use anybody you can find to help with the labor! Your guests will truly appreciate it.