Summer is here and that means lots of outdoor play and weeks of family fun and memory-making vacations. Unfortunately, it also means an increase in accidents. Nothing destroys the fun and joy of a family outing faster than an accident, so make the pledge to keep this summer the safest possible by taking these few, simple steps:
1. What’s more fun during the summer than cooling down with a dip in a pool, lake or ocean? Water play is a great way to keep temperatures from soaring on even the hottest summer days, but it’s important for children and adults to take a few steps to make sure their summer swim sessions are as safe as possible. First, never swim alone. Drowning can occur even in relatively shallow bodies of water, and it can happen quickly. When your kids are in the water, provide full supervision and attention – no texting or talking on the phone.
2. Respect the sun. Wear plenty of sunscreen that’s strong enough to protect your skin type, and apply it after swimming and after playing sports. Use a hat to protect your scalp and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
3. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water even if you aren’t involved in strenuous sports and seek shade if you start to feel overheated. Watch for heatstroke symptoms including headache, flushed skin, skin that feels hot, nausea and lack of sweat.
4. Avoid picnic panic by keeping everyone a safe distance from grills and open fires, and always keep a fire extinguisher or pail of sand on hand to put out a fire quickly. Don’t leave any fire unattended.
5. It may seem like fun to run or roll in a field of wildflowers, but bees like those flowers too. Wear shoes and have a first aid kit equipped to handle the pain of stings.
6. Wear a helmet when biking and review biking rules with kids at the beginning of the season. Gloves and kneepads may be a good idea for inexperienced riders.
7. Lots of people hit the road for summer vacations, so use special caution while driving. Make sure kids stay buckled and provide them with activities so they don’t distract you. Never, ever leave a pet in a parked car; even with the windows cracked, the heat can soar and every year, pets are killed in parked cars with open windows.
Kids love rewards, so make summer safety fun by offering safety award certificates personalized with their names. Use safety-themed Post-It® notes to remind kids how to remain safe; their sticky surface makes them ideal for posting on pools, play areas or in outdoor eating areas, and they’re ideal for when kids have friends over.
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Are you planning a Flag Day event to celebrate the nation’s most iconic symbol? As you are picking out the perfect patriotic party invitations and supplies and decide what you’ll toss on the grill, take time to think about those patriots who took Betsy Ross’ creation and made it the beloved treasure it is today.
George Morris – Credited in Kansas: a Cyclopedia of State History for suggesting Flag Day on June 14, 1777, George Morris never saw the holiday’s official declaration. His hometown of Hartford, Connecticut first observed Flag Day in 1961.
Bernard J. Cigrand – From the 1880s until his death, Cigrand traveled the nation speaking about respect for the flag, patriotic pride, and the need for an official observance of Flag Day on June 14th in honor of the date the Continental Congress officially adopted the Stars and Stripes. In his lifetime, he gave more than 2100 speeches and is credited by many as “almost singlehandedly” getting the holiday officially observed.
William T. Kerr – Kerr was the founder of the American Flag Day Association ofWestern Pennsylvania and served as the group’s national chairperson for fifty years. This patriot was lucky enough to attend President Harry Truman’s signing of the congressional act that made Flag Day an offical holiday in 1949.
Elizabeth Duane Gillespie – A descendant of Ben Franklin, Elizabeth Gillespie was also the president of the Colonial Dames of Pennsylvania. She utilized the stronghold of her group to foster a resolution to require all of Philadelphia’s public buildings to display the American flag. Although unsuccessful, Pennsylvania became the first state to declare Flag Day an official holiday, and this is why many people credit Philadelphia as the home of the flag.
Theodore Roosevelt – An old oral tradition passed through generations may or may not be true, but it is rather funny in a patriotic sense. It is said that Teddy Roosevelt was dining out in Philadelphia one afternoon, happened to look out the window, and saw a man wipe his nose with something that resembled a flag. Infuriated, he stormed out and whipped the man with a stick for “defacing America’s symbol.” Unfortunately, the man was only holding a blue handkerchief with white stars, not a flag. Apologizing for his error, Roosevelt smacked the man once more for making him “riled up with national pride.”
All of these heroes helped make Flag Day possible in some vital way, and you can be the hero of your party when you shop for all of your patriotic party supplies at PaperDirect, where shopping is both fun and simple!
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After four years of late nights and last minute study jam sessions, your day to celebrate has finally arrived. Whether you are graduating from high school or college, you want to make sure your friends and family are aware of your special day. Unlike your cap and gown, your graduation announcements can reflect your unique sense of style and capture the joy of the moment.
You have so many choices, you may feel overwhelmed. First of all, decide what format you want to go with. Once you have chosen your template, choose your color scheme. Remember, you no longer have to stick to your school colors, in fact you can play around with different borders, whimsical accents or even use a photo collage of your senior pictures. To make this as easy as possible for you, PaperDirect has a wide variety of graduation invitations and graduation border papers in various formats and colors to choose from.
After captivating the invitation recipients with your own pizazz, you need to make sure the wording you choose is in a very readable font and includes all the important information about your big day. This part can be fun – if you consider yourself a poet, use your talents to announce your accomplishment in a fun four line rhyme! Of course, if you are a Senior in high school, your parents may want to have some say in the type of invitation you mail out. If they are demanding a formal, old-fashioned announcement like they sent out when they were graduating – just go with the flow. But order only enough to send to those people they have on their list. Then, because it is your big day after all, design an announcement of your choosing that you can send to your friends and loved ones. This way, everyone will be happy.
Most importantly, don’t wait until the last minute to order your announcements. In addition to giving your relatives plenty of time to mark their calendars, they get the opportunity to reward you with a special gift (usually fun money) that you can use on your Senior trip! If your loved ones are being inundated with graduations, birthdays and weddings, most likely the first one in the mail box will be a number one priority!
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In this era of Facebook invites and email e-cards, it’s hard to know what events still need paper invitations. For a casual get-together, sure, online invites will work. However, we have compiled a list of 5 events in your child’s life that are too important to leave to the online design of invitations.
Bar Mitzvah/ Bat Mitzvah– In the Jewish culture, this event marks a huge moment in a child’s life – where they make the transition from being a boy or girl into a man or woman. Generally, you will invite all your family and friends to attend this event months in advance. Most Bar/Bat Mitzah’s have a theme – which should be matched on the invitations.
First Communion— This is such an important religious ceremony for Catholic children – all family and friends should be there to witness this milestone in a child’s life. Definitely not a Facebook Invite appropriate event – it must be an elegant invitation.
Sweet 16 Birthday Party– A 16th birthday marks a turning point in your child’s life (and your life) – they can finally drive themselves to soccer practice. If you’re planning on having a big blowout for their birthday, you’ll want to make it extra special by sending out invitations. These invites can be fun or elegant, depending on the style/theme of the party – get your 16 year old involved!
Baptisms– Having friends and family around to celebrate in the baptism of your child is a joy that is cherished in life. Make sure you make this event extra special by getting sophisticated Baptism invitations for this occasion.
Graduation–This one is somewhat of a no-brainer. When your child (who is not so young anymore) is graduating from high school, you’ll want to make sure you are doing anything you can to make this day as memorable as possible. Sending out invites to a graduation celebration will show your son/daughter that you are really proud of them and want to share this day with friends and family.
From elegant, sophisticated invitations to birthday theme invites, PaperDirect has it all. Make sure you have the perfect invitation to add to the scrapbook album for each event!
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The frenzy of March Madness is here, and there’s no better way to get your friends together than a basketball-themed party. You’ll want your guests to get excited about your party as soon as they receive their March Madness invitations, so you need to make sure that they truly capture the essence of the game. Take a look at these creative DIY party invitation ideas for inspiration.
March Madness Jersey Basketball
Draw a jersey onto cardstock to make a template the size you want the invites to be. Place your template onto folded cardstock and trace, making sure that the top shoulders of the jersey meet the folded seam, and then cut along the lines. Add a team name on the front, player number on the back, and appropriate colors before personalizing inside. You can even send guests invitations personalized for their favorite team or player.
March Madness Ticket Invitation
Make the main event March Madness with a ticket-style invitation. Work up a mock copy of your favorite team’s ticket, and fill in the party details in the same layout that you would see on an official entry pass. Make everyone feel like a VIP by laminating the tickets and attaching a lanyard so the guests can wear them at the party.
Basketball Theme Invitations
Cut out a perfect circle with folded cardstock, making sure to leave about one inch of the top of the ball connected at the fold. Use paint, markers, or crayons to bring your basketball to life.
Basketball Card Invites
Turn simple cardstock into a masterpiece quickly by gluing basketball trading cards to the exterior. Announce your projections of success by using your favorite team, or make your guests feel special by including their favorite team or player’s card.
Be sure to include any details about the festivities within your invites that you want your guests to know such as any items you would like them bring, any dress requests, and be sure to include a map to your event location and contact number.
As a fantastic opportunity to gather family and friends, St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect time to fire up the grill and hold an outdoor party to welcome the warmer weather of spring. Throwing the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day party can be loads of fun, but the planning stages may seem a little overwhelming for the uninitiated host, especially those on a budget. These decorating tips will ensure that your St. Pat’s Day invitation recipients are engaged from the moment of their arrival.
Get the Outdoors Even Greener with St. Patrick’s Day Decorations
Green or decorated, streamers, matching plates, napkins, and festive cups are a given. However, you can save some money by creating most of your St. Pat’s outdoor decor yourself with a few additional items from the party or craft store.
Shamrocks: Use green poster board to cut out various shapes of clovers, and don’t forget to include a few lucky four-leaf clovers. Punch a hole into the top to allow for hanging from the trees, patio, or fencing outdoors, and save a few to adorn indoor areas that guests will be using.
Streamers Leading to Pots of Gold: Get creative, and use rainbow hues to create twisted streamers draping across trees and indoor areas. Attach a pot of gold cut out on each end to give the leprechaun something to chase.
Centerpieces: Start hitting garage sales or secondhand stores early for green vases or containers, and pick up some white carnations. Place the carnations in water with a good dose of green food coloring to make the flower’s tips green, and then place into the vases just before the party.
Banners: Let everyone know where the party’s at or dress up your outdoor family gathering with a festive St. Patrick’s Day banner or two. Customize your theme and wording on a heavy-duty, weatherproof banner from PaperDirect that you can use year after year.
St. Patrick’s Day Game Ideas
Keep the fun rolling with some fun family games perfect for outdoor enjoyment. One favorite resembles Tag, called “Catch the Leprechaun.” A chosen player puts on a leprechaun hat and is chased until caught. Whoever succeeds first puts on the hat and becomes “it.” Another idea is to place chocolate gold coins, shamrocks, and other goodies around the house and hold a scavenger hunt. Divide into teams to keep the search competitive and fun for all.
Whether you are looking for creative invitations, banners, stationery, or other great outdoor decorating ideas for your St. Pat’s party, you can count on PaperDirect for fast service and top-quality products at affordable prices.
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From green beer to clovers to parades, the traditional Irish celebration of St. Patrick’s Day has been a fixture in the U.S. since the late 1700s.
But there’s a lot more to it than Guinness and folk dancing. The holiday’s namesake, St. Patrick, was born in Roman-controlled Briton in the 5th century. As a teen, slavers kidnapped him to Ireland. He managed to escape, but then returned to the Emerald Isle, bringing Christianity with him – and converting the local Druids along the way.
After his death on (you guessed it) March 17, legends surrounding St. Patrick grew, becoming ingrained into the celebration that bears his name.
Lucky Clover
Ever wondered why St. Patrick’s Day is associated with shamrocks? Legend has it that the saint used the clover, a native Irish plant with three leaves connected by one stalk, to represent the concept of the Holy Trinity to non-believers.
Today, perhaps no other symbol brings the holiday to mind quite like the shamrock. There’s no better way to dress up party invites, stationery or even post-it notes than with a touch o’ the lucky green clover!
Kissing the Blarney Stone
Another symbol of St. Patrick’s Day, the Blarney Stone, isn’t directly related to the saint himself. Rather, the legend involves a castle in the village of Blarney, just northwest of Cork, and an old woman with magical powers who was saved from drowning by an Irish king.
To thank the king for saving her life, the old woman granted him the power of persuasive speech – if only he would lean over and kiss a stone on top of the castle.
Today, tourists come from around the world to kiss the Blarney Stone – and the best day of the year to do it? March 17, of course!
Parades
For most of the U.S., St. Patrick’s Day means parades. From New York to Boston, Chicago to Dublin – Ohio, that is – St. Patty’s parades fill the streets with floats, bands, bagpipers dancers and leprechauns, all dressed in the brightest of emerald greens.
Speaking of green, what’s that “wear it or get pinched” thing all about? Apparently, leprechauns – who are know for their mischievous nature and their love of tripping, kicking and otherwise bothering unsuspecting humans – can’t see the color green, rendering anyone wearing the color safe from unwanted leprechaun attention.
If you forget to wear green, a pinch will remind you to armor yourself in emerald to guard yourself against leprechaun mischief. However, with all the celebrating going on around the country on March 17th, green might just be impossible to forget!
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Is your anniversary coming up and you’re trying to think of a unique anniversary celebration idea that won’t cost an arm and a leg? Throwing a party for someone (or yourself) doesn’t really have to cost a lot of money. You can still have a well-decorated party with lots of tasty food and yummy drinks on a tight budget–you just have to be a little creative and open-minded. Here are some suggestions that aren’t the same old thing you see at every anniversary celebration.
Celebration Ideas that Don’t Cost a Lot
While lavish gifts are nice, they may not be quite as meaningful or thought-provoking as another gift that will not cost nearly as much. Check out these anniversary celebration ideas that can be incorporated into just about any party to celebrate a couple’s love:
Arrange for a replica of your wedding cake to be made. This isn’t terribly expensive and will be a sentimental touch for your anniversary party. If you have a good picture of your wedding cake, most any bakery should be able to make the exact cake with any changes you’d like to make.
You can have family help create a video to memorialize your life together. This costs absolutely nothing, really, and will be a treasure you will have for the rest of your lives. Start with pictures of the happy couple as children, include pictures from when they dated, then got married, had children and so on. Arrange the pictures and videos into one and set to music. If you want to pay for a professional videographer to put this together, it’s money well spent. You and your spouse and family members will have this to watch and enjoy for years to come.
Prior to your anniversary party, ask family and friends to write a short paragraph or two about a special memory they have of you and your spouse. Compile all the snippets into a scrapbook and display it on the table for all guests to see. You can also have family members to make poster boards of family photos. These can be displayed on easels all around the party venue. You can also ask family to put old movies on CDs so you’re able to watch home movies anywhere you like with ease.
Whether you’re throwing a huge bash or are just having a few people over for a quieter, more intimate gathering, PaperDirect has anniversary party invitations, banners and even thank you notes for all the lovely presents you’ll receive! Shop online–it’s easy, fast and convenient!
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Easter Sunday is March 31, 2013, so now is the time to order all your Easter holiday supplies like invitations, flyers and banners. Are you planning a big Easter egg hunt for all the kids in the family, or is your neighborhood having a special outdoor celebration on Easter? If so, you need to get the word out with Easter flyers from PaperDirect. You’ll love all of our selections in a variety of lovely pastels and festive designs to suit all tastes. As you contemplate your Easter flyer choices, check out some interesting Easter facts and maybe you can include some of this information in a game for the kids or adults. Why not make a learning experience out of your Easter celebration this year?!
Easter Facts
Easter is one of the oldest and holiest of all Christian holidays, even more so than Christmas. What does Easter celebrate? Christians believe that Jesus was crucified on the cross and on the third day, He rose from the dead. Known as the “Resurrection of Christ,” Easter is believed to bring joy and relief to Christ’s followers, who began to celebrate this day to commemorate the blessed event. Here are some interesting facts about the most important Christian holiday of the year:
The word “Easter” comes from Eastre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess who symbolizes hare and egg
Easter will always fall between March 22 and April 25
The egg has long been considered the symbol of rebirth
The earliest Easter egg baskets were the shape of birds’ nests
Approximately 90 million chocolate bunnies are made each year for Easter
Second only to Halloween, Easter is a huge “sweets” holiday
About 76% of people who eat chocolate bunnies eat the ears first
Though it’s a wonderful idea to have set aside a week in early/mid February to acknowledge Random Acts of Kindness, wouldn’t it be nice if every week celebrated random acts of kindness? If you make a point of doing nice things for people you know or strangers, then you are surely making a difference in the society in which we live.
For those of you who may not make time to perform random kinds acts for others or just can’t seem find the time to donate time or material things to the less fortunate, maybe you can set a goal for yourself to actively take part in Random Acts of Kindness week which will be here in just a few short weeks. To learn about the work the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has done in the past, please visit its website.
Here is some basic information about this wonderful organization:
Established in 1955 as a nonprofit organization for people committed to spreading kindness. The RAK Foundation is privately held and funded, and it accepts no donations, grants or membership dues. The RAK Foundation has no religious affiliation, and the goal is to encourage the practice of kind acts in all aspects of society. Here is the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation’s mission:
“The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation inspires people to practice kindness and to pass it on to others. We provide free educational and community ideas, guidance and other resources to kindness participants through our website.”
How about a party to kick off Random Acts of Kindness Week? PaperDirect is your online shopping source for invitations, banners, fliers and other supplies you’ll need to celebrate this wonderful cause.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so you need to start making romantic plans to show your spouse or significant other just how much you are still in love. You may have dinner reservations already made, or a wonderfully romantic meal planned to whip up at home. Maybe you’re taking your mate out on the town for a night of dancing or a trip to the theatre. Or, maybe you prefer a quiet evening at home watching classic romantic movies while cuddling on the couch and sharing a big bowl of popcorn or bottle of wine.
Whatever you have planned this Valentine’s Day, why not begin (or end) the evening with some handwritten words of love and devotion inspired by some of the most famous love letters ever written? Your mate is sure to swoon when he/she reads how you really feel about them, especially if you’ve not expressed yourself on paper in the past. If you do write a love letter to the object of your affection, be sure to choose some lovely Valentine’s Day stationery from PaperDirect. Easy online ordering makes choosing and receiving your favorite style a breeze!
Famous Love Letters
Here are some of the most famous love letters ever composed according to Time magazine online:
1. Napoleon Bonaparte to his wife, Josephine: Obviously, this brutal French leader had a soft spot for his wife even though he divorced her when he found she could not conceive. A few days after they were married, he left to command the French army but kept in touch through letters expressing how much he missed and longed for her. Here’s an excerpt from a letter Napoleon wrote in July 1796:
“Since I left you, I have been constantly depressed. My happiness is to be near you. Incessantly I live over in my memory your caresses, your tears, your affectionate solicitude. The charms of the incomparable Josephine kindle continually a burning and a glowing flame in my heart. When, free from all solicitude, all harassing care, shall I be able to pass all my time with you, having only to love you, and to think only of the happiness of so saying, and of proving it to you?“
2. Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn: While ole’ Henry originally courted Anne’s sister, Mary, he really only had eyes for Anne, who refused to be his mistress. As most of you know, Henry did not take rejection well and ordered her execution in 1536. But here’s what he wrote nine years earlier to Anne in 1527:
“I beg to know expressly your intention touching the love between us. Necessity compels me to obtain this answer, having been more than a year wounded by the dart of love, and not yet sure whether I shall fail or find a place in your affection.”
3. Winston Churchill to his wife, Clementine: Winston and his wife, “Clemmie,” wrote each other often when they were apart, and here’s an excerpt from a letter Winston wrote Clemmie in 1935 while she was traveling abroad:
“My darling Clemmie, in your letter from Madras you wrote some words very dear to me, about having enriched your life. I cannot tell you what pleasure this gave me, because I always feel so overwhelmingly in your debt, if there can be accounts in love…What it has been to me to live all these years in your heartand companionship no phrases can convey.”
4. Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor: Though probably most famous for their physical brawls, Richard Burton had a knack for writing sweet nothings to his beloved “Liz.” Here’s an except from a letter Burton wrote to Taylor during their first marriage in 1964:
“My blind eyes are desperately waiting for the sight of you. You don’t realize of course, E.B., how fascinatingly beautiful you have always been, and how strangely you have acquired an added and special and dangerous loveliness.”
5. President Ronald Reagan about his wife, Nancy: Former actor turned politician Ronald Reagan sure had a way with words. Check out this Valentine’s Day letter excerpt from 1977:
“Dear St. Valentine,
I’m writing to you about a beautiful young lady who has been in this household for 25 years now—come March 4.
I have a request to make of you but before doing so feel you should know more about her. For one thing she has 2 hearts—her own and mine. I’m not complaining. I gave her mine willingingly [sic], and like it right where it is. Her name is Nancy but for some time now I’ve called her Mommie and don’t believe I could change.
My request of you is—could you on this day whisper in her ear that someone loves her very much and more and more each day? Also tell her, this “Someone” would run down like a dollar clock without her so she must always stay where she is.”
6. Our last love letter writer may be fictional and it may be about being broken up, but he may just take the cake for the art of writing the love missive. If you’ve seen the movie, “The Notebook,” you may remember this from Noah to Allie:
“My Dearest Allie. I couldn’t sleep last night because I know that it’s over between us. I’m not bitter anymore, because I know that what we had was real. And if in some distant place in the future we see each other in our new lives, I’ll smile at you with joy and remember how we spent a summer beneath the trees, learning from each other and growing in love. The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that’s what you’ve given me. That’s what I’d hoped to give to you forever. I love you. I’ll be seeing you. Noah.”
Be sure to shop online at PaperDirect for everything you need to compose your Valentine’s Day love letter. Maybe yours will one day be famous, too!
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The country’s holiday of romance is right around the corner. Check out these fun Valentine’s Day trivia tidbits to get in the mood for every couple’s favorite day of love. Be sure to get your Valentine’s Day stationery at PaperDirect. Compose the most romantic love letter of all time on lovely, vibrant Valentine’s Day paper from PaperDirect.
According to the Chocolate Manufacturer’s Association, 36 million boxes of chocolate were sold for Valentine’s Day in 2003.
The oldest known Valentine love letter was written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife and is now located in the British Library in London. The Duke wrote the a poem when he was being held in the Tower of London following his capture.
According to the Greeting Card Association, 86% of Valentine’s Day cards are bought by women.
Second only to Christmas, Valentine’s Day sees more greeting cards sent than any other holiday with about 1 billion cards each yet.
Cupid was the son of Venus, the Goddess of Love and Beauty.
The average American will spend approximately $120 on Valentine’s Day this year.
Men spend twice as much as women on Valentine’s Day.
More than one-third of men say they’d prefer not receiving a gift on Valentine’s Day, but only 20% of women say they’d prefer to not receive a gift.
Around Valentine’s Day, a long-stemmed red rose will cost about $75, about 30% higher than its normal price.
Nine million pet owners will buy gifts for their pet this Valentine’s Day.
15% of women send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day.
More at-home pregnancy tests are sold in March than in any other month.
Teachers receive the most Valentine’s Day gifts of all groups.
Over half of all Valentine’s Day cards purchased are bought six days before the holiday.
Hallmark produced its first Valentine card in 1913.
The start of St. Valentine’s Day can be traced back to the Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia, when a young man would draw the name of a young woman in a lottery and would then keep the woman as a sexual companion for the year.
Celebrity Valentine’s Day weddings: The Captain and Tennille, Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, Jerry Garcia and Deborah Koons and Pam Anderson and Tommy Lee.
Flower colors have different meanings. Red roses mean love, yellow roses indicate friendship, and pink roses mean friendship or sweetheart. Red carnations mean admiration, white carnations mean pure love, red chrysanthemums mean love, and primrose means young love.
In the medieval times, doves are widely believed to choose their mates on February 14. It has become a favorite symbol for Valentine cards.
Children ages 6 to 10 exchange more than 650 million Valentine cards every year.
Are you hoping to compose the perfect Valentine’s Day love letter for your spouse or significant other this year? Do we have some tips for you! But before you get started composing the missive that will make your mate fall madly in love with you all over again, be sure to order romantic Valentine’s Day stationery online from PaperDirect.
With bright, beautiful paper and matching envelopes from PaperDirect, you’ll have all the supplies you need to write Valentine’s Day love letters worthy of publication. If pink is her favorite color, you’ll find no shortage of pink paper selections from our vast variety of Valentine’s Day paper. And if you’re looking to go even bigger, then a Valentine’s Day banner may be just what you’re looking for!
Do Great Love Letters Trump Gifts?
Men may be surprised at just how exciting it is to receive a well-crafted, thoughtful, sincere love letter, and they may be thrilled to know that a heartfelt Valentine’s Day love letter will be treasured more than the most lavish gifts (by some women, that is). Instead of spending money on flowers that won’t last long and chocolates many women would rather avoid eating, men should take the time to write passionate, honest love letters on the national day of romance. Here are some tips to consider before you compose:
Be sincere. If you’re not in love, then your letter will not be convincing. If you’re in a new relationship, don’t force the words to come if they don’t come naturally. It’s also best not to utter the words, “I love you” for the first time in a letter.
Be tasteful. Keep it clean as Valentine’s Day is about love not lust. Be mature, but don’t be nasty as there are certain things that should be reserved for private conversation, not a love letter on Valentine’s Day.
Be original. Never just cut and paste something you’ve found on the Internet. Of course, you can “borrow” favorite song lyrics or lines from a favorite poem, but give credit where credit is due. Your partner will appreciate a heartfelt message much more if it actually comes from your heart.
Be specific. Women love to know that their partners remember the small things. Whether you’re a man writing to a woman or vice versa, be sure to include an especially fond memory you have of your time together. Maybe a meal you shared at a quaint little restaurant on a vacation you took, or a moment on your first date that was just silly and awkward. Whatever you choose, be sure it’s something unique to your relationship and something he/she will remember, also.
Be yourself. Don’t try to write in a different voice than your own. Just relax and let the words flow. Be honest about how you feel and nothing can go wrong.
Be neat. Try to make the letter as attractive as possible. Avoid sloppy handwriting, crossed out words and spilled liquids. If you need to write several drafts to create the perfect missive, then do so. Take your time and your partner will greatly appreciate the effort. Be sure to make this a letter one she or he will want to keep for a lifetime!
Valentine’s Day is our country’s national day to celebrate love and romance. February 14th is a day to express your love for your long-time love or to celebrate the overwhelming feelings of falling madly in love with someone at first sight. Some people enjoy showing their love with grand gestures such as elaborate plans for a 24-hour getaway to a luxury hotel with a five-star restaurant and all the amenities you can think of, while others prefer a quite evening at home with a good movie and a bowl of popcorn.
Some men and women plan for Valentine’s Day months in advance, while others, much to their partner’s dismay, wait until the very last possible second to choose a gift or card for their mate. We want you to know that there are ways to impress your spouse or significant other that won’t break the bank. If you’re “creatively challenged,” PaperDirect has some creative Valentine’s Day plans to wow your honey.
Of course, you can go out and buy traditional Valentine’s Day gifts like roses, expensive chocolates, jewelry and the like or you can be more creative and even save a lot of money with some more creative ideas. How about some of these ideas?
Plan a Day Off From Work to Match His/Hers
Spending time together is important and having a whole day off together would be a real treat for you both. You could plan a romantic afternoon at home, a walk in the park, or a drink at your favorite watering hole. hole day for some cozy moments and a lot of fun? You can arrange for food for two and get some DVDs of a baseball match. Pop corns and beer would add to the excitement of the match.
A Full Day of Pampering
Who doesn’t enjoy a great massage, being waited on hand and foot, being cooked for and getting to enjoy a day without lifting a finger? That is one way to wow your honey without spending a dime. And just think how much he or she will appreciate all the effort you put forth to make sure their day is as relaxing as possible. The trick is to do something special, something that you have not done before or something that you would not regularly do.
A Personal Touch
Leaving ten post-it notes around the house naming things you love about your mate is a really sweet way to let her/him know how much you love them. Be creative and don’t just jot something down that shows you put little or no thought into this gift whatsoever. Remember specific things or events that reminded you how in love you are with the person. If you’re making some type of card or gift and creativity is not your strong suit, have no fear. It is the thought that counts-that saying is a cliche for a reason! You could create a photo card with a great picture of the two of you during a special time of your lives or from a special event.
Remember that Valentine’s Day is all about spending time together, appreciating one another and loving each other. That doesn’t have to cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Do something nice for your special someone; show him or her that you love them more than you did yesterday.
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What better way to start a new year than by bringing a bouncing baby boy or girl into the world?! If you know someone who is due around the new year, here are some creative baby shower ideas for entertainment for your guests.
Remember that PaperDirect is your one-stop online shopping source for many of things you’ll need to host a fun baby shower that will be remembered by all, especially the mommy to be. We offer a variety of baby shower invitations, response cards,banners,place cards and personalized napkins that will make the shower you’re hosting a huge hit. After you have ordered everything you need from PaperDirect, you should start planning the menu and games. No baby shower is complete without some creative games to keep the guests amused and interested while they enjoy the great food and wait for the mommy-to-be to open all her presents. Many baby showers have become co-ed, so try to include the guys as much as possible in the games you plan.
Here are just a few suggestions to get you started:
Forbidden Word: This is really a great icebreaker as it begins as soon as your guests arrive. Give each guests a diaper pin to wear on their shirt or jacket, and after all the guests have arrived, explain that the word “baby” is forbidden throughout the course of the shower (or maybe until it’s time to open presents and it will be virtually impossible to not say the word “baby.” If a guest is “caught” saying the forbidden word, she can steal the pin from the person who said it (clearly this is a game based on the honor system). At the end of the game, the person with the most pins wins a gift. You can order small gifts from PaperDirect such as coffee mugs, water bottles, tote bags and even mouse pads!
Guess the Baby Items: This is a fun, practical game that everyone can enjoy. Start by putting 10-20 common, useful baby items inside a diaper bag; some popular items are a bib, teething ring, rattle, bottle and onesies. They’re also fairly inexpensive. Give each guest a pen and paper before passing the diaper bag around. Without looking, each person puts a hand inside and the bag and tries to identify as many items as possible. Give guests a set amount of time (two minutes) to make their guesses and then pass the bag to the next person. After all the correct answers are tallied, a winner is announced. The mother-to-be gets the bag filled with lots of baby essentials.
Guess the Baby Food: If you’ve ever thought that baby food in jars looks less like the ‘peas’ or ‘carrots’ they purport to be and more like miscellaneous mush, this is the game for you. Gather seven to ten unique flavors of baby food jars, number each lid and tear off the labels. Ask each guest to grab a spoon and start sampling these delectable delights! Yummy! The guest with the sharpest palate (or has an odd fondness for the taste of baby food) and has the most correct guesses wins a prize! Obviously, you don’t want to pass on open jars of baby food to the new mommy, but you can always ask!
The Price is Right: You can be Bob Barker at the baby shower you host, and all you have to do is buy a few baby items that the mommy-to-be can get good use out of and set up the game! Use blank note cards and write the price of each of the items on one side and the name of the item on the other side. Gather guests together and play it just like the TV show: each guest must guess the price of the items on the cards, and the person with the highest total—without going over—wins. The parents-to-be get to keep all the items that are a part of the game! How fun is that?
Diaper Relay: With this game, changing diapers is a team sport! Set up diaper stations with dolls in diapers, and break your guests up into teams. Hand out a blindfold to each team and be sure to have a timer or stop watch handy because this game is all about diaper-changing speed! On “go,” the teams will take turns changing a doll’s dirty diaper while blindfolded as quickly as possible. Prize goes to the fastest dirty diaper changer!
Here are some other PaperDirect blogs about creative baby shower ideas to inspire you:
Re-gifting is a nice way to utilize unwanted or un-needed gifts that others may really need or enjoy. When it may be impossible or just impolite to make a return, re-gifting has become an acceptable practice (in most cases) for getting use out of something you really can’t use. Some people justify re-gifting by imagining gifts they’ve given to others in the past have been re-gifted, while others are just not comfortable re-gifting no matter what.
When handled politely and kindly, re-gifting can really be a practical means of passing along something you don’t need to someone who does need or want it. Just don’t get too involved in the process and make re-gifting an art by craftily planning how you will “pass on” every single gift you receive. That really has nothing at all to do with the spirit of giving, especially during the holiday season. When done tastefully, re-gifting is not forbidden at all. Let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions about gift etiquette and the process of re-gifting.
Gift Etiquette: Frequently Asked Questions About Re-Gifting
When is it acceptable to re-gift? If and when re-gifting is permissible depends largely on the feelings of the giver. Will the gift giver ever discover that you have passed along their gift? If you are certain there’s no way the giver will know you re-gifted, then you may feel safe to do so. There are time when it just makes sense to re-gift such as when the person to whom you are re-gifting will get a lot of enjoyment out of something that doesn’t necessarily suit your personal tastes.
Should I admit to my gift recipient that I re-gifted? Sometimes this may be appropriate, such as when you re-gift an expensive item. If you don’t tell the recipient that you re-gifted, he/she may feel obligated to buy you a gift of equal value. This could cause both of you to be uncomfortable and cause financial hardship for the giver.
How should I re-package the gift? Whatever you do, don’t re-package your item so that it appears to be from another retailer. Imagine the embarrassment if someone tried to return your re-gift! Select beautiful wrapping paper and a gorgeous piece of ribbon just as you would for any other occasion.
Are there certain occasions where re-gifting is a good idea? Absolutely! Consider a couple with a large family who is celebrating the arrival of a new baby. They may receive baby equipment or clothing that they already own. In such an event, it might make sense for them to pass along these duplicate gifts to someone in need.
What is one very important rule to know when re-gifting? Other than not hurting the feelings of the original gift giver, the most important thing is to be sure that the re-gift is suitable for the new recipient. Are you merely burdening someone with an unwanted item, or presenting someone with something they really will enjoy?
It’s that time of year–time to choose your Christmas cocktail invitation for work and home holiday parties. If you have the yearly task of choosing the perfect holiday cocktail invitation for your work crew or for a party you’re having at home, you have come to the right place. PaperDirect has a large selection of Christmas cocktail invitations for all tastes and styles.
Here are some suggested Christmas cocktail invitation wording to get your creative juices flowing:
Good friends & good cheer, it’s that time of the year!
Please be our guest at a Christmas Cocktail Party on Saturday, December 21st at 6 o’clock in the evening The Green Hill Mansion 1214 Green Hill Avenue
Macy & Ryan Matthew Regrets: 555-2010
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Set your sights on Christmas lights and eggnog ‘round the tree! Please join us for a night of fun at our annual “Christmas Celebration” Sunday, December 16th 6:00 in the evening The Home of Lynn and Fred Banks 765 18th Avenue Kingsport, Tennessee
______________________________________
The air is getting colder, the holidays are near, a time for celebration with those we hold so dear!
Parkson Construction cordially invites you to join us for a festive holiday celebration!
Friday, the seventh of December two thousand eighteen six o’clock in the evening
The Sandals Resort 4900 W. Cypress Road Scottsdale, Arizona
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Celebrate the Season
We’re planning a holiday party and please say you’ll be here. Let’s celebrate the season with good friends and good cheer! Friday, December 8th 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Green Room 1265 Falling Leaves Lane Falling Leaves, Maine
The West Leaves Insurance Company
Hopefully one of these designs, paired with one of the above wordings inspires you for your Christmas Cocktail party this year! Looking for the best Christmas cocktails to serve? Check out this list of 12 Cocktails of Christmas!
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PaperDirect has a large selection of Christmas border paper for your holiday newsletters this year. The Christmas newsletter is a time-honored way to stay in touch with long distance friends and family members and let them know how everyone is doing. Many families have made the Christmas newsletter a yearly tradition, and with December right around the corner, it’s time to look at the various types of Christmas border paper you can order online from PaperDirect. Printing newsletters for Christmas is easy and fun when you use high quality, festive Christmas border paper that will surely brighten the holidays for all your recipients!
Here are some popular paper designs to make your Christmas newsletter especially festive this year:
Christmas Newsletter Tips
If this is the first time you’ve written a Christmas newsletter, you may need some tips.
When composing a letter to loved ones and friends you may not see very often throughout the year, keep your audience in mind and think about what you would like to know as a newsletter recipient. By tailoring your news to your recipient, you’ll have a captive audience. Think about who you’re sending your newsletter to. What should you include in a Christmas newsletter? Possibilities might include marriage, any moves/relocations, vacations, new pets, children’s news, graduations, new employment situations and any significant changes in your life. You really don’t have to go into great detail–be succinct and your audience will be more interested. Highlight the year’s milestones and joyous occasions.
Be positive and festive in your tone, but don’t go on and on about how many wonderful accomplishments your family has experienced this year because it sounds like bragging. There is a difference between reporting good news and boasting. Be careful not to cross this line in your newsletter. Similarly, don’t include tragic news or tales of hardship you’ve experienced this year. This is Christmastime, when love, warmth and happiness are the focus. The goal of the holiday newsletter is to simply update long distance friends and family about your past year, so keep it short, to the point, and fun!
Include a family photo if you like as this is a nice added touch.
End your Christmas newsletter by wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season and safe, healthy and prosperous new year!
PaperDirect is your online shopping source for Christmas border paper of many designs for your family Christmas newsletter this holiday season! Order online today.
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Are you having a formal Thanksgiving dinner party and are panicked over getting everything together in time? With this wonderful holiday right around the corner, now is the time to think about all those little, finishing touches you’ll need to ensure the planning and dinner party go smoothly and as planned. Thanksgiving place cards from PaperDirect will not only help everyone know who’s sitting where, but they will add a touch of elegance to any Thanksgiving feast!
Here are some of the most popular PaperDirect Thanksgiving place cards:
Adornment Folded Place Card
Fall Brilliance Folded Place Card
Swirls of Autumn Folded Place Card
Mahogany Rouge Folded Place Card
Symmetry in Nature Folded Place Card
Autumn Etching Folded Place Card
Have you made your Thanksgiving dinner list and checked it twice? PaperDirect is your online shopping source for other supplies you may need this holiday season. We have Thanksgiving invitations,Thanksgiving personalized napkins and even Thanksgiving greeting cards for loved ones and friends you may not see this year. Need suggestions on hosting a party? PaperDirect can help you there, too! Read some of these helpful blogs about hosting parties around the holidays:
Fall border paper from PaperDirect is the perfect way to announce your special event by way of personal invitations or by posting around the neighborhood, local stores and schools. Fall border paper’s beautiful autumn colors like brights reds, rich oranges, vibrant yellows and a variety of subtle Earth tones add autumn flair to any special event you need to announce this fall. From hay rides to Halloween parties, fall border paper from PaperDirect is a great choice for event needs!
If you’re wondering what else fall border paper can be used for, the list is really boundless. For instance, you can use border paper with fall colors to create newsletters to announce family happenings or school events; fall border paper is perfect any type of invitation; you can craft greeting cards using the lovely fall border paper selections offered from PaperDirect; border paper can be also be used to enhance flyers–especially with the eye-catching colors of fall; and border paper is commonly used to send out announcements of various events.
Check out these examples of fall border paper that will liven up any type of message you want to get out to a lot of people at one time. Or, if you’re just having an small, intimate gathering at home (say, a dinner party), you can use fall border paper to craft a lovely personalized invitation to just a few special friends or family members.
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Summer is here and that means lots of outdoor play and weeks of family fun and memory-making vacations. Unfortunately, it also means an increase in accidents. Nothing destroys the fun and joy of a family outing faster than an accident, so make the pledge to keep this summer the safest possible by taking these few, simple steps:
Easter Facts
birds’ nests
PaperDirect also has 
