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Depending 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 pennants 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.

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.

Baby 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 date 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.

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.

Traditionally, 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.

Baby 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.

It’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.

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.

Everybody 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 lots 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.

Themed 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.

Wedding 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.
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. Pansies 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.

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Event 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.

We’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 alchemy 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.

When 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.

When it comes time to have an event where a lot of things are taking place, like a school musical, a wedding or a show, the first thing we get when we walk in the door is a program. Some event programs do a great job of listing everything that’s going to be going on, and some don’t do quite as well. Some programs are little more than a folded piece of paper and are as boring as they get. But with a little imagination and the right paper, they don’t have to be boring at all.

People who put on events want everyone in the audience to know what’s coming up. Thatway people can take part when need be, or just so they know who’s coming up on stage next. Having an event program that does that well not only gives the audience the cues they need, but also gives them a certain level of entertainment andinformation in the process.

Printing event programs is easy to do. You can get paper specifically designed for programs and download templates for your favorite word processor so you can lay it out easily. That way if you get program paper with a nice border or with an interesting fold pattern, you don’t have to fight with the layout to make sure it’s right. These templates make it easy to place graphics, to set up text and to make sure everything looks perfect before you print them off. After you get the layout right, just hit print and in a few minutes, you’ll have made some great event programs.

The great thing about printing your own event programs, aside from the fact that it is actually fairly easy to do is the fact that they are inexpensive as well. Buying blank program paper and doing your own setup and printing costs only a few cents per program and you can make more if they’re going to be needed. This saves a lot of headaches since you do not have to send the job out to a printing company and go through the proofing process and having to wait for production.

No, event programs don’t have to be boring, nor do they have to be expensive. Check out all the great paper designs available and see what you can do to make your own. You’ll be surprised at how great they’ll be.