Make your own invitations to add a unique touch to a family gathering.
A special family gathering calls for equally special invitations...but where do you find invitations uniquely suited to your event and the people attending it? Generic invitations flood the craft store aisles; printable ready-made invites abound on the Internet. If you want something extraordinary and fun, however, you may have to make it yourself. For smaller family gatherings, try a t-shirt invitation, loaded with the information invitees need to get respond to you and get to the event. For larger events, such as reunions, choose a sentimental, fun invitation that's easier on your budget and time.
Instructions
T-shirt Invitations
1. Compose the guest list. Include first and last names, any children attending, and contact information. If you don't have complete contact information for someone, get in touch with a family member who can provide that for you.
2. Decide on the who, what, where, and when of the gathering. Write this information down. Be sure to include the host and guest of honor if there is one. Include the RSVP and contact person's information.
3. Obtain size information for each invitee's t-shirt. Get this info either by guessing or by asking directly. If in doubt, go up a size. You'll need a t-shirt for each person you're inviting, not each household.
4. Purchase printable t-shirt transfers at a craft store. These usually come with a program to design and create the invitation information. Download the program to your computer.
5. Enter the invitation information using the t-shirt transfer program on your computer. Be sure to include all of the who, what, when, where, RSVP, and contact information you wrote down.
6. Print each transfer according to the manufacturer's directions. Position the printed transfer on the t-shirt. Use a warm iron to transfer the information onto the t-shirt. Be sure to let guests know that the t-shirt is their "ticket" for admittance to the event.
Photo Invitations
7. Gather and write down all of the contact information for each guest. Include their first and last names, address, and phone number. Write down the necessary information for the invitation. Include who, what, where, what for, when, and RSVP.
8. Choose a few photographs of family members. Choose those members to whom everyone invited is connected in some way, such as grandma, aunts, cousins, etc. Have the photographs copied at a local photocopy shop.
9. Arrange the photographs in a collage on a 4x6" piece of cardstock, using an acid-free glue-stick. Be creative; you can't do this wrong!
10. Use an acid-free pen to write the party information on the reverse left side. This ensures the invitation will last if attendees wish to retain it as a keepsake. Use a ruler to draw a straight line down the middle of that side. The addressee information will go on the right side.
11. Have your invitation photocopied at the photocopy shop. Address and stamp each one, and put them in the mail. Be sure to adhere to U.S. Postal Service requirements, which you can check online.
Tags: contact information, craft store, family gathering, first last, first last names