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October 27, 2011

Fall Event Accessories for All Occasions

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Fall is the favorite season for many people for a variety of reasons. The weather in many parts of the country is simply beautiful with temperatures in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s; leaves change from green to vibrant shades of yellow, red and orange; and there is a crispness to the air that just makes you want to be outside as much as possible. Fall is also the time of year when the most joyous holidays are fast approaching, football season is in full swing, the kids are back to school and the stress of summer vacations has passed.

September, October, and November are perfect months for many social activties such as backyard barbecues, tailgating get togethers, weddings, Halloween parties, back-to-school activities and holiday preparation. If you are planning a Fall social event, you should choose fall stationery or fall invitations to announce your get together and set the mood for the autumn festivities coming soon.

If you are hosting a Halloween or Thanksgiving party, you can choose from PaperDirect’s extensive line of Fall-themed invitations, place cards, greeting cards, border papers, menu cards, post cards and envelopes. With images of autumn leaves, pumpkins, gourds and other symbols of this wonderful season, your guests will know that the time to celebrate the wonders of Fall is upon them. Fall stationery can be used for your family newsletter or to thank someone for a special gift or gesture. With a great deal of communication being done electronically these days, the recipient of a handwritten letter or thank you note on Fall paper will appreciate the extra effort you put into saying thank you.

Shop PaperDirect’s extensive selection of event accessories such as stationery, invitations, thank you notes, place cards, banners and everything else you will need to host an event this fall.

October 13, 2011

Halloween Fun Facts for Your Cool Halloween Party

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Smiling Jack InvitationsIf you want to try a cool Halloween party idea at your Halloween party this year, include Halloween trivia and fun facts in the festivities. You can organize the kids (or adults) into teams or have them take a Halloween fun fact quiz and award prizes to the winners. Here are some questions you can include in the verbal quiz game or hand-written quiz. Or, you can present a list of questions and have a competition to see who can get all the answers to the questions the fastest. This would be a great activity to have in a library where the children have access to several different sources to find the answers. You could call your local library well in advance to see if you can reserve a small space for an hour or so.

  • What is the origin of Halloween?Good Ghost Invitations
  • How did the tradition of trick-or-treating begin?
  • How did the tradition of dressing up in a costume begin?
  • What other colors do pumpkins come in besides orange?

Here are Halloween trivia and fun facts you can share at your Halloween party this year:

  • Jack o’ Lanterns originated in Ireland where people placed candles in hollowed-out turnips to keep away spirits and ghosts.
  • Pumpkins can be orange, white, blue and green.
  • Halloween was brought to North America by immigrants from Europe who would celebrate the harvest around a bonfire, share ghost stories, sing, dance and tell fortunes.Black Magic Invitations
  • Tootsie rolls were the first wrapped candy in America.
  • Ancient Celts began wearing masks and costumes to avoid being recognized as human by spirits and ghosts on Halloween night.
  • Halloween candy sales average over $2 billion in the U.S. each year.
  • Snickers is the number one chocolate candy treat for children on Halloween.
  • Halloween is second only to Christmas as commercially successful holidays.

Looking for cool Halloween party ideas and need Halloween invitations? Check out other PaperDirect blog posts and shop our online store for all your party needs.

October 6, 2011

Fall Party Themes

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Oktober Festivities Border PapersFall is the perfect time of year to have a party because the leaves are turning colors, the air is cool and crisp, and the holiday season is just around the corner. When you are considering outdoor fall party themes, you want to keep your guests’ preferences in mind and select an appropriate fall party theme based on your guests’ ages and interests. Here are some fall party themes to get your wheels turning:Fantasy Football Casual Invitations

  • Football themed party: Men and women and children of all ages look forward to football season all summer, and hosting a football themed fall party is a great way to “kick off” college and professional football seasons. Just about every family has at least one football fan, and many families have several members who are devoted to one particular team. To get your fall football party underway, choose (or make) an invitation with a football theme. If you live in San Francisco, and you know all your guests are 49ers fans, you can buy an invitation in the shape of a football with the team logo and include all party information such as time, location, what to bring, what the theme is, whether children are invited, etc.
  • Fall Harvest theme: Select an Fall invitation with any one of the symbols of Fall Poppies Casual Invitationsautumn such as colorful leaves, pumpkins, acorns, gourds, and apples. You can plan craft projects at the party or have a pie judging or pie-eating contest. You can ask your guests to bring their favorite fall-inspired food, dessert or drink to your fall party theme. You can bob for apples, roast pumpkin seeds and serve cider and cider doughnuts.
  • Oktoberfest themed party: Plan a traditional German Oktoberfest party for early or late October.  You’ll need plenty of beer, and traditional German foods such as sausages, bratwurst, and knackwurst. Side dishes such as German potato salad and red cabbage with apples, bacon and sauerkraut will surely please even those with no German in their blood. Display the traditional blue and white diamond pattern on cups, plates and napkins.  If you want to make it really authentic, hire an Oompah band to play Oktoberfest music and allow your guests to wear costumes if they like to really get into Oktoberfest. This is one fall party theme your guests will love!

For more party ideas including spring and Summer themed parties, please read the PaperDirect blog.

September 22, 2011

Time to Start Thinking About Cool Halloween Invitations

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Smiling Jack Casual InvitationsHalloween is one of the most popular holidays of the year, especially for kids. But even grown-ups let the kid in them come out on this one special night. Regardless of age, everyone wants to have the best costume and host the most fun party. Hosting a Halloween party means creating or buying cool Halloween invitations. When you’re hosting a Halloween party, the invitations are just as important as the Halloween costumes, and with so many different design available, it can be challenging to pick one you really like. With Halloween right around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about how you want to invite your guests to your Halloween bash. Here are some cool Halloween invitations to get your spooky, ghoulish juices flowing.Haunted Cemetery Border Papers

If you want to create your own cool Halloween invitation, you can use construction paper and other types of sturdy art paper, and cut out shapes of skulls, pumpkins, ghosts, the grim reaper, axes, haunted houses, vampires, devils, witches and anything else that helps represent this eerie night. You can make your cool Halloween invitations simple, front-only invitations and include the location, time, who is invited, what to bring (if anything) and whether costumes are optional. Use creepy-looking handwriting or cut-out letters.

Spiders Web PostcardsPaperDirect is your Halloween invitation and Halloween decorations headquarters.

August 11, 2011

Tips on Holiday Invitation Wording

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , , — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Seasons Silhouette Fold-Up InvitationsSometimes it’s more important how you say something than what you say.

When it comes to invites,  holiday invitation wording is just as important (if not more so) than the invitation’s design. Wording holiday invitations properly will pack the house and put everyone in the holiday spirit.

Tips for Wording:

Keep it Affiliate-Free

It’s important to keep your audience in mind while wording your holiday invitations. So as not to offend, it’s important to respect your guests’ religious affiliations. The most common mistake people make when wording holiday invitations is to assume everyone celebrates Christmas.Swirls of Holly Designed Layered Invitations

If you are hosting a party and wish to only acknowledge Christmas, and you are sure no other religious affiliations will be in attendance, then it’s fine to use the word “Christmas” in your holiday invitation wording, but if you are inviting people of varied religious backgrounds, we recommend you keep the wording general such as a “holiday celebration” or “special time of year,” or “festive gathering.” None of those phrases excludes any religious group.

Keep it Concise:

While you may want to include one or two details about food or games, don’t spoil the surprise by making it lengthy. Stick to the bare necessities with one fun and cheery mention.

Include a Contact Email

At the bottom of the invitation, include an email where you can answer questions and RSVPs. Guests may be wondering if they can arrive late, etc so you’ll want to provide them a contact.

Keep it Merry!

Stay in the spirit of the holidays by including a warm message on the invite. We have a few suggestions below to get you brainstorming.

Here are some examples of holiday invitation wording that includes everyone that are politically correct.

Wording Example #1:

Please join us
for an evening of merriment
on Saturday, December 16th at 6 PM
Cocktails and Dinner
at the Richards’ Home
82 Johnson Road
Regrets Only by December 5th
555-2345
Susie and John

Wording Example #2:

Let the warmth of friendship
take the chill from the air
and the spirit of the season
make winter easier to bear.
Clayton Corp. invites you and
a guest
to our Holiday Gathering….
Saturday, December 12th,
2010
3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Clayton Plaza

With folded, flat and pocket invitations, PaperDirect surely has something for your holiday party invitation needs.

July 14, 2011

Quick & Easy Printable Pool Party Invitations

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Aqua Splash Casual InvitationsSummer time is a great time to get together with friends and family and have a good time. When planning out a full blown pool party you’ll definitely want to have great printable pool party invitations to send out so everyone you know will have the opportunity to get together and enjoy a great time. By having printable invitations you can have full creative control over every part of the process enabling you to make the invitations you want and have them when you want them.

Pool parties are very casual, laid back occasions where fun is the primary purpose. Having very casual invitations that look like fun are a great way to start off the event because it puts everybody in the right mindset. WhilePoolside Casual Invitationspool parties aren’t usually known for a lot of food, having munchies and other comestibles around is expected. Even though it doesn’t really much matter if you have too much food left or even run out a little early, if you want to make sure you’ve got plenty you may want to include a response card in with the printable pool party invitation so you’ll have a good idea of how many people are actually going to be there. That way you’ll know you’ve got enough food and beverages for everyone, plus if someone has any specific dietary needs, such as gluten intolerance, you can accommodate them as well.

Beach Balls Casual InvitationsWith printable pool party invitations, it becomes very easy to get the exact invitations you want. Starting with cool invitation blanks, you download the template for your favorite word processor and half the battle is over. All that remains is to place a graphic or even a photo if you want, set the text with the time, date, location and anything else you want to add to set the theme. Once it looks like what you want on the screen, simply hit the print button and watch as your invitations appear out of your printer. If you’re using fold over invitations, simply fold it up, put a stamp on it and hand it to your mail person and you’re already done.

A pool party doesn’t take a lot of planning or a lot of set up and with printable pool party invitations, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to have a great invitation put together either. Fun is the point to a pool party and putting together the invitations is fun too.

July 7, 2011

Cool Teenage Birthday Party Themes

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Music Festival Casual InvitationDepending on the person, birthdays can either be the most awesome day in the world, or the most dreaded. For teenagers, it’s a toss-up, but most teens really enjoy having a cool party for their birthdays. While getting together with friends and family and doing the cake and presents thing, throwing a teenage birthday party with a theme takes the totally cool party factor to the next level. And with all the great theme ideas, regardless of the birthday person’s interest, you’ll be able to come up with a cool party that they’ll love.

Having a great theme party is actually quite easy. First, ask what is the teenager’s main interest? Once you know that, then putting together a teenage birthday party based on that theme is going to be a breeze. If they’re into sports then having a party based on the sport is as simple as getting decorations of their favorite sport. Not only can you get Home Plate Casual Invitationpennants for the wall, but there are napkins and plates for all the different sports as well.

Not only that but having a specialty cake made like a football, baseball, golf ball, tennis ball or soccer ball is something bakeries do every day. Even sheet cakes that look like the ball field with the proper goals or nets can be made very easily.

While sports themes are easy to do, so are a lot of other teenage birthday party themes. Music themes with cakes shaped like guitars or other musical instruments and musical note decorations makes for a great party. Other great birthday party themes are those based on favorite video games and TV shows or movies. There are all kinds of totally cool decorations for game and movie based parties available and having a bunch of friends over to play the game or have a movie marathon is an awesome way to make a memorable birthday.At The Movies Casual Invitations

Regardless of what the teenager is into, a great birthday theme party idea is just a step away. With a little planning, sending out some great invitations, especially for a surprise party, and some cool decorations, not only will the birthday honoree have a great time but the guests will too. Themed parties gives everyone a central focus for the party and being able to have a party that everyone gets into, participates in and has a really great time at is definitely going to be a party to remember. Check out all the great themed invitations, decorations and cakes and make the next party the party everyone wants to be at.

June 16, 2011

Need Help With Graduation Invitations Wording? Start Here

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Graduation Party InvitationsWhen it comes time for graduation, friends and family alike want to be a part of the celebration. Being able to watch your friend or relative walk across the stage at Commencement and receive a diploma is one of the proudest times you’ll ever experience. Having great graduation invitations to send out not only gives the invitees the information they need so they can be present, but with the right invitation wording, it can also show everyone just how happy and proud you are of graduating.

When it comes to putting together that perfect graduation invitation, you’ll want to start with a great invitation blank. Having an invitation you really like gives you a great foundation to work from. Once you download the template for your word processor, you’ll be able to sit down and get the wording and layout exactly how you want. You’ll be able to place graphics or even photos or the school logo and add another level of elegance to your invitation as well.

Baccalaureate Casual InvitationsGetting the invitation wording right is more than putting in the school name, the location where the graduation ceremony will take place, and the time and date. Granted, those are important pieces of information to disseminate, but a graduation invitation means so much more. Here are a few phrases that you can include that show some of the pride and happiness that surrounds a graduation.

–    We the class of 2012 are proud to present John Smith who is graduating from Yale on the fifth of June, two thousand twelve at 7 o’clock in the evening at the stadium.
–    As the proud parents of John Smith, we would like for you to share our happiness of his achievement. He will be graduating from Georgetown High School on June 5th,, 2012 at 7pm in the Georgetown High School auditorium.
–    OFinishing Touch Invitationsn June 5th, 2012 at 7pm at the Georgetown High School Auditorium, we the parents of John Smith would like to have you share the happiness his graduation.

There are lots of other ways to say just how meaningful this occasion is, but being able to have full control over the process means you can change things until you get the wording for your graduation invitation exactly how you want it. Being able to share such an auspicious occasion with friends and family compounds the emotions and happiness of the day, and great invitations eschew just how auspicious that day truly is.

June 9, 2011

Tips for Hosting a Baby Shower

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Serendipity Blue Casual InvitationsBaby showers are a great way to honor the mother to be and to celebrate a new life coming into the world. If you’re in the process of planning a baby shower for a friend or relative, then you know it can be a bit on the confusing side because of all the things that need to be taken care of. While not quite as complex as a wedding, baby showers still takes thorough planning so everything comes off perfectly for the new Mom. And, as with any other well planned affair, you’ll want to start with custom baby shower invitations.

Of course, you’ll sit down and make a list of everyone who should be attending. This will include all the friends and family of the mother to be. You’ll want to discreetly check to see if anyone else needs to be invited as well. Once the guest list is put together, you’ll send out the invitations. Being able to get baby shower invitation blanks to customize means you can make them exactly how you want. Not only can you define the time and Little Ones Casual Invitationsdate and location for the shower, but you can include information as to a gift registry if the mother is registered. This helps guests know what has been purchased for the baby and will give them ideas as to what needs to be purchased.

Once the baby shower invitations have been sent, you’ll want to purchase some type of decorations. While they don’t have to be ostentatious, having streamers and some other baby related decorations definitely adds to the festivities. If the sex of the baby is known then you can use decorations with the appropriate color, pastel blue for a boy, pastel pink for a girl. If the baby’s sex isn’t known, then mixing the pink and blue makes for a very attractive décor.Celestial Casual Invitations

While not totally necessary since most baby showers foods are munchies and soft drinks, when you send out the invitations, you may want to send a response card as well. That way you’ll know exactly how many people are going to show up. Again, this isn’t a requirement, but more of a convenience for the one planning the event so they’ll have an idea of how much food to have on hand, what extra supplies they may need and how many chairs to track down so everyone can be seated. Baby showers are usually very fun and very boisterous times to celebrate the coming of the new baby. Start off the festivities right with great custom baby shower invitations.

June 2, 2011

6 Irresistible Baby Shower Invite Ideas

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Celestial Casual InvitationsTraditionally, a few months before a baby is born, friends and family will get together and have a baby shower for the prospective mother. The person who is hosting the party is usually the one putting all the details together and sending out the invitations. Having totally cute and irresistible baby shower invitations not only lets people know that the mother is actually having a baby if they didn’t know but also encourages attendance and participation. Here are some cute baby shower invitation ideas that definitely build interest:

1.    Nothing beats traditional graphics like baby bottles and rattles or even a cute little baby drawing to get the point across that it’s an invitation to a baby shower.
2.    Using a crayon scrawl font to set up the text is a neat touch.
3.    If the sex of the baby is known, using the appropriate colors is a great way to let guests know so they can buy gifts for the baby to be.
4.    Don’t forget that stuffed animals look cute on an invitation as well
5.    Of course, there’s the obvious. Since it’s a baby shower invitation, why not have umbrellas on it. It is a shower after all.
6.    Baby shower invites that have the shape of a diaper, a onesie or even a bib makes for a cute way to invite people.

Being able to print your own baby shower invitations means you can put exactly what text you want on it. Aside from the time, date and location of the shower information, if the Mom is registered at a store, you can include that information so guests can check out the registry and see what still needs to be purchased. Plus, if there’s going to be any particular theme to the shower, then you’ll be able to include that information as well. With templates you can download for your word processor, you’ll be able to get it looking perfect without a lot of effort at all.

Serendipity Blue Casual InvitationsBaby showers are a great time to get together with friends and family for a happy occasion that everyone enjoys. Having a neat invitation lets everyone have a smile knowing that a new baby is on the way and gets ideas flowing about what to give for shower gifts. When planning out that great baby shower,  you don’t want to have the same invitations everyone else uses so taking the time to find unique baby shower invitations ideas not only gives the guests something neat as an invite, but the Mom to be will feel extra special because of that extra effort.

May 26, 2011

Tips for Planning a Retirement Party

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Elation Foil Flat InvitationsIt’s hard sometimes to realize that someone has worked for your company for twenty, thirty, even forty years. When it comes time for them to retire, you want to show them how much their effort, dedication and long service is appreciate, plus give them a great memory to retire on. Planning a great retirement party for them may seem like a challenge, but with the right ideas not only is it easy enough to do, but it will be a very memorable occasion.

Making a retirement party a truly memorable event does involve a little planning. One way to make it truly special is to have the retiree’s friends and family there when the person is honored. Take an opportunity and connect with their spouse so you can get a list of names and addresses. This enables you to send them custom invitations for the party which will give them an opportunity to share in the honor and appreciation.  Having a seating arrangement will help as well, especially when the retirement party is centered on a dinner. Utilizing place cards grouping friends and family together as well as people in the retiree’s department will help organize the festivities.Crown Standard Certificates

To honor the retiree, especially one that has had a tremendous impact on the company requires showing them just how much they’ve been appreciated over the years. While planning the retirement party taking the ‘gold watch’ approach is always a great way to do so, giving them a certificate of appreciation award that’s framed gives them something they can hang on their wall at home. And a commemorative lapel pin gives them something they can wear on their lapel that shows anyone who looks just how much they are appreciated for their service and dedication to the company.

Retirement is a big step in a person’s life and being able to have things like certificates and lapel pins brings back fond memories of the years at work. You receive a diploma when you graduate high school and college, so receiving a certificate award when you “graduate from work” has a very similar feeling for the retiree. While a party lets friends, family and co-workers express their appreciation either by handshakes or even at the podium, having tangible awards is something that the person who is retiring can take with them to remind them of their years at work and of the retirement party. With all the great retirement gifts available, you’ll be assured that the planned retirement party will be a success.

May 19, 2011

Themed Birthday Party Ideas for Kids

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Party Swirls InvitationEverybody loves a birthday party regardless of your age. While adults enjoy birthday parties of others more than their own, kids love all birthday parties and wish they could have them every day. While every day would be a bit much, having great birthday parties when they do come around with cakes, presents and games makes that birthday party great. Having a themed birthday party is even more memorable because a themed party makes it much more than just another birthday.

Having a theme party isn’t always about a cartoon character. Here are some ideas about themed birthday parties that you may not have thought of.

–    Have an ice cream party. Instead of a lot of fattening cake and other munchables, have Birthday Party Invitationslots of different kinds of ice cream for everyone to enjoy. Explore a wide variety of ice creams as well. Get some different, even esoteric varieties to try since everyone knows chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.
–    Cupcake parties are totally different too. Instead of kids fighting over who gets the biggest slice of cake, cupcakes are all the same size and can be decorated any way you want.
–    Carnival parties with all kinds of animal and clown decorations make for a neat theme for a birthday party. Kids will love games and activities based on the carnival too.
–    Sports themed parties are great for the budding athletes. Decorations and cake designs abound for these kinds of parties and the kids love it
–    “Wrong season” parties make for a hilarious time. If the birthday is during the summer, make it into a Christmas party or during the winter, have a 4th of July celebration. Not only will the kids have a great time, you’ll have a blast setting it up.

Bright Streamers InvitationsThemed birthday parties are always fun to host and to be a part of. Working outside the box with themes means your party won’t be like anyone else’s and the kids will have a more memorable time because of that. While kids love any kind of birthday party, having one stand out in their minds long after the event takes place mean you gave them a really happy memory to hang on to.

Take the time to check out all the great themes you can have for a party. You’ll be surprised how many ideas you can have in just a few minutes that will be fun, easy to set up and enjoyed by everyone who comes. Starting off a great party by having themed invitations enables you to have every part of the process match your theme and will make for an even more anticipated birthday party. Have fun with planning it and you’ll have fun throwing it.

May 18, 2011

5 Great Memorial Day Party Ideas

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Patriotic Pinwheels Border PapersAs a celebration and dedication to the men and women who have served or are serving in our armed services, there is no more important day than Memorial Day. Having a party is a great way to share such an auspicious occasion with those friends and family that are either in the service or have been or are family members of someone who is. As with any party a little planning needs to take place, and the best place to start planning is at the beginning.

Here are some great Memorial Day party ideas to get your planning started:Salute Fold Up Invitations

  1. If you’re having a private get together, then finding patriotic invitations should be at the top of your Memorial Day party ideas.
  2. With invitations, you can either include a phone number, email address or response cards so those who will be coming can let you know that they’ll be attending. This simplifies your planning process since you’ll have a good idea of how much food you’ll need and how much you’ll want to invest in patriotic decorations to set off the party.
  3. Doing a community event at a gymnasium or civic center is a totally different concept. Turning out flyers with a patriotic theme and getting them placed in areas they’ll be seen in a timely manner is definitely a necessity if you don’t want all your great Memorial Day party ideas to go to waste.
  4. Hanging flyers on bulletin boards and posting them in other public areas is a great start but doing a flyer campaign like canvassing a parking lot and putting them under windshield wipers gets the word out as well. With the right amount of effort, your Memorial Day party ideas can add to the excitement of the holiday and the celebration time with neighbors and friends.
  5. Being able to custom design your own patriotic invitations or flyers is a lot easier than you may think. Even if you’re running behind on your planning, you can save time by using the online Print Now feature. This enables you to pick your Land Of The Free Border Papersinvitation or flyer style, upload graphics or photos and layout the text exactly how you want. Then using your paper or invitation blanks, you can immediately print off as many invitations or flyers as you need. By using the online tools you can print as few or as many as you need without having to worry about wasting any paper or ink.

Memorial Day is a day where everyone feels the pride for those who serve and even the sadness for those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy our freedoms. Get your Memorial Day party ideas together now to ensure your party is fun for all. Celebrate your patriotism with your friends, family and neighbors. Support our troops and to have a good time in the process.

May 12, 2011

15 Wedding Anniversary Ideas for Couples

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

It's Your Anniversary Greeting CardsWedding anniversaries are a special time for couples. Even though times may be busy and lives may get complicated, both husbands and wives appreciate being honored by their mate on their anniversary date. We all know the hilarity that situation comedies pull out of husbands forgetting the anniversary, but in reality, those comedic situations don’t happen quite that often. And finding great wedding anniversary ideas for couples isn’t as hard as sitcoms would make out either.

Here are 15 great ideas for any couple that honors the occasion and makes for a great time too.Jardin Fold Up Invitations
1.    Following the traditional gift ideas is certainly one way that works. This is the year list that starts with paper for the first year, cotton for the second, etc. This shows that you believe in the traditional values in the marriage.
2.    There is a modern list as well. This starts with the first year being plastic, the second cotton and calico, etc. This shows more modern values for your relationship.
3.    There are alternative gifts as well. The first year is clocks, the second is china, etc. Using this list shows a more expansive view of marriage and relationships.
4.    As well as these gifts, gifts of jewelry also have a yearly designator. For instance the first year is a simple gold piece with a Peridot alternative. Year two is garnet, year three is either pearls or jade, etc. These also show a traditionalist view.
5.    Flowers are also on the yearly list. Classic Scroll Vinyl BannerPansies are year one, Cosmos for year two, etc. although Roses will go over anytime.
6.    A nice, romantic way to celebrate is to recreate that first date, whether at McDonalds or at the museum, that first date is always special.
7.    Dinner and a movie coupled with the gift makes for a great evening to celebrate.
8.    If you can work out a vacation during the anniversary date then reliving the honeymoon makes for a truly special celebration.
9.     For couples that have kids, hiring a babysitter or having them stay over at a friend’s or relatives so you can have a complete night of peace just for you makes for a great anniversary idea.
10.    When anniversaries start to accumulate, it is nice to make it into a family affair, especially when there are grand and great-grand children.
11.    With life how it can be at times, doing anniversary activities on the right day isn’t always possible. Instead of rushing through things, one anniversary idea is to reschedule to a weekend and make the whole weekend about the anniversary.
12.    Make the anniversary a two day affair. Have one day all about the husband and one day all about the wife, but both days are shared completely. Spa visits, shopping, sports activities, whatever both partners like to do.
13.    If schedules stay tight, one great thing is to put together a picnic at the park or by the lake.
14.    Anniversaries can be a time to do something new. If you met well after high school, make your anniversary a “teenage date night” and go skating, see a drive in movie or watch a high school football game.
15.    Do a romantic evening at home. Fix dinner together, watch a movie cuddled on the couch, have drinks in front of the fireplace and do flower petals and candles in the bedroom. Make it a fantastic evening.

There are lots of great ideas for anniversary ideas to express a couple’s love for each other and to bring the romance up a couple notches. Take a look at this list, think about the times shared and have a great anniversary.

Products shown above are

It’s Your Anniversary Greeting Card

Classic Scroll Vinyl Banner

Jarding Fold up Invitation

April 28, 2011

Spring Celebration Themes – Golf Party Ideas

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Ball In Play BannerAfter the winter the country just went through, everyone is looking forward to spring. Warm weather, green leaves and green grass, no snow and even the flowers and birds will be a welcome sight. And no one is looking forward to a spring celebration more than those who love the sport of golf. Getting out on the links, in the fresh air and sunshine, ready to try out all the things they learned over the winter. Try these golf party ideas to show everyone a good time.

The best way to kick off a new year of enjoying the links is to throw a great spring The Fairway Casual Invitationscelebration party. It’s a great excuse to have a friendly get-together, dust off the grill and have an enjoyable time. Since it’s a spring party, and everyone is looking forward to a great game of golf, why not make the main theme of the party a golf theme? It’s easy enough to do and everyone will have a blast.

Having all kinds of spring foods, salads to go with the steaks, and even grass green colored punch sets the background. Getting golf party theme napkins and plates, green or golf party theme table cloths and even golf flag swizzle sticks just adds to the cool factor. There are all kinds of ways to add to the golf theme like having golf magazines all over the place, golf décor and even a banner that says “Happy Golfing!”

Front Nine Green PostcardsKicking off a new spring with a golf party is a great way to start the season with friendship, good food and good fun. Being able to get all kinds of great golf themed party items and party favors makes everything look great and everyone will get into the golf party atmosphere.

Check out all the golf party ideas and items and make your spring celebration into a golf party that everyone will talk about the whole year. Not only will they have a great time, but you’ll have a great time too. And spring is the best time of year to have that perfect party.

April 21, 2011

Very Cute Baby Shower Invitations!

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

What is more fun than a baby shower?  Make this day even more special by using cute baby shower invitations.

Little Feet Casual InvitationsLittle Feet Casual Invitations

Heaven Sent Casual InvitationsHeaven Sent Casual Invitation

Sweet Dreams Casual InvitationsSweet Dreams Casual Invitation

Pastel Green Casual InvitationsPastel Custom Colors Green Casual Invitation

Serendipity Casual InvitationsSerendipity Hot Pink Casual Invitation

March 24, 2011

Make Any Event Special With Personalized Dinner Napkins

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Personalized NapkinsEvent planning means paying attention to every detail. You take the time to make sure the invitations are perfect, that the RSVP’s will be responded to, that place cards have been printed to match the seating arrangements and the napkins you use are just as planned as any other detail. Using personalized dinner napkins for the events not only defines the event and the theme, but it adds a touch of class to it as well.

Personalized napkins have a purpose in a lot of events. Here’s a list of events where personalized napkins will mean more than just plain napkins:
–    Wedding receptions. Having the names of the bride and groom as well as the date adds a personalized flair to the event
–    Charity events. By putting the name of the event on the napkins, you remind the guests on one more level why they’re there
–    Formal dinner parties. Personalized napkins adds a huge touch of class to an event of this type
–    Fun events like Super Bowl parties and seasonal events are where themed napkins really stand out
–    Church events are great places to have napkins with the church name on them
–    Work parties are good places where napkins with the company name and logo makes an even better impression on the guests

Personalized napkins aren’t just for people’s names. Having the name of companies and event names on them adds layers of impact and makes the event just that more memorable. Any event that has food or beverages involved needs napkins and having them personalized means you’re giving the guests one more reason to remember the event.

Take a look at your event planning list and see if you’ll need napkins. If so, see if having them personalized can make your event that much better. It may be a detail, but details are what makes a good event into a great event.

March 17, 2011

How to Create Church Programs That Look Great!

Filed under: Designing Your Invitation — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

how to make a church program

As we sit in our pews every week, looking at the church programs we were handed when we walked in the door, we rarely expect more than a list of what’s going to occur during the service. There’s usually a list of events for the next week and a prayer list. Sometimes there’s an attendance list and offerings from the previous week on the other page. But rarely do we expect the bulletin to look “great”.

Typically, a program is a simple, maybe “dry” source of information for those who attend Sunday services, but there’s no reason we can’t make informational church programs that look great. Giving your church programs a bit of flash can do wonders for your service.

Program Options:

Crystal Cross Programs Nativity Programs Cranberry Lace Programs Bethlehem Programs

Church programs have always been bland pieces of paper with information in it, but with Designed Programs and Specialty Programs available and your printer at your church, we can make create elegant church programs for any service or special event.

View all programs options here

The best thing about the above programs is that you can download a program template, design them in Word, and print at your office. Doing this eliminates the need to go to a print shop. Additionally, if you want to change your church service rather suddenly, you didn’t waste any time or money on ordering programs.

What to Include in a Program

No matter what service or event you’re presenting,  there are a few key items to include in your program.

  • Name of Presenter leading the service
  • Theme of the Service
  • Date and Time of Next Service
  • How your church is contributing to the community
  • Upcoming Events

Things to Keep in Mind

Less is More: Don’t overcrowd your church program. While there may be a lot of information needed, try to keep it short. Otherwise, your program could look cluttered.

Know Your Audience: If you’re a part of a modern gathering, you can use looser language.  If your goal as a church is to stay close to traditional services, be traditional with your program text, too.

Get Technical: Include your Facebook link on your program, which will encourage people to communicate with your church and stay in the know. It is also great for increasing awareness and registration for certain events.

Bright Star Programs

There are lots of great program designs available with a wide variety of themes. This means you can actually have a different program for every week without having duplicates. Plus, for special occasions like Easter and Christmas, there are church programs especially for those. To simplify things, there are templates you can download for your word processor that makes setting up the programs a breeze. No longer do you have to fiddle with how things look until its right, just fit everything in the templates and you’re done.

Let’s face it, congregations get used to things being one way, and church programs are one of the things that they rarely expect to change. With a few minutes of time and some great blank program stock, you can make a change that will impress everyone in the congregation. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to set up and print off your new church programs, so take a look at all the great programs available on PaperDirect.

March 10, 2011

How to Write Greeting Card Messages

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Stately Anniversary Greeting Card SetWe’ve all seen the commercials on TV. Those touching commercials where someone opens a greeting card from one of the big card companies and a huge, sappy smile comes across their face. The card companies would like you to believe that only they can come up with the great sayings that you read when you go into the grocery store or stationery stores and look over the cards, but that’s far from the truth. You too can write great greeting card messages and create your own cards. Not only is it more personal, quite a bit of fun, but you can save a ton of money over paying the big company prices.

Card makers would have you believe that the messages they put in cards are some kind of Presents IV Birthday Deluxe Greeting Cardsalchemy or magic. The truth is someone like you or me is sitting at a desk somewhere rattling off messages on a notepad, then people over them go over the lists and pick out the ones they think will be the most saleable. If you watch the cards on the shelves, they stay for a few weeks and if they don’t move, they get replaced with other cards. This kind of “churn” is what card companies expect, as they’ll take those cards and put them somewhere else, then put them in discount stores, then eventually will box them with a bunch of other cards that don’t sell and push them as a package. While card companies charge a huge amount for one card, it covers the cost of moving around and repackaging, and they still make a profit.

With Sympathy Greeting Card SetWhen we write greeting card messages, they are designed to evoke an emotion. The funny cards are obvious, but the sympathy card message lets the recipient know that you commiserate with them and are there. Anniversary and other “love” cards are designed to let your intended that you have deep feelings for them. Get well cards are to provide encouragement and most of the other cards have some kind of religious or holiday significance. This actually makes writing a greeting card message easy. Simply put what you’re thinking into words. Whether they rhyme or not isn’t important. The important part is getting across the emotion you want to let the other person know you’re feeling when you write greeting card messages.

And with all the great card stock available, if you’ve got a printer, you can crank out your own line of greeting cards or simply make one for someone in a matter of a few minutes. And having card stock on hand means you can generate a greeting card for any occasion. And greeting card stock is very inexpensive. For the same price you’d pay for a single greeting card at a big name store, you can make a dozen cards. Check out what you can find online and make your own cards. You’ll be amazed how easy it is to write greeting card messages that will make the recipient laugh or cry.

February 17, 2011

Unique Place Cards Add Personality to Event Table Planning

Filed under: Designing Your Invitation — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Estate Folded Place Cards by PaperDirectWhen hosting a large dinner party, especially a formal one, organization is everything. Invitations get sent with RSVP cards so the planner will know exactly who is going to be there. The meal courses have been selected and planned with care. Entertainment has been selected to compliment the party. And when it comes to details, every single one is attended to. This includes the seating arrangement for the evening. Instead of allowing for Hobson’s choice when it comes time to be seated, every single person is placed and can find where they’re supposed to sit with a unique place card.

Gold Balloons Folded Place CardsPlace cards can be as simple as a small white card with the person’s name on it, but those add nothing to the party. However, having fancy place cards made can be expensive and a hassle. Not only do you have to go pick the card style off of a standard list, but you have to give the printer a list of names. This in and of itself can be a troublesome thing because it’s a slight invasion of privacy to let anyone know what your guest list is going to be. After that, the names have to be laid out and proofed for accuracy and then the place cards can be printed.

Wine Tasting Folded Place CardsOne way to reduce expenses, to control the guest list information and to have the place cards reflects the theme of the evening is to print your own. Getting blank or pre-designed place card stock is as simple as going online and looking around a little. Templates can be downloaded for them that work great with your favorite word processor or design program so setup is a snap. Simply put the names into the template and any other design cues you want, whether it’s a logo or a shape or even balloons for a birthday party, and hit the print button. In just a very few minutes, you’ll have generated all the place cards for the party. And printing your own means if there are any last minute additions, you can print those pretty much on the fly, even right up to the moment when everyone sits down.

Using place cards during the planning process means groupings can be planned as carefully as the menu. Sometimes groups need to be together because of commonalities, sometimes the planner is supposed to play “matchmaker” and sometimes politics and networking is involved. By having the place cards as an integral part of the party means that quite a few of them will go home with the guest instead of becoming part of the cleanup process. And if the “matchmaker” is lucky, some of those place cards may have a phone number on them at the end of the evening.

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