Real Time Web Analytics
Menu
The Invitation Shop
  • Invitations
    • Super Bowl
    • First Communion
    • Kentucky Derby Invitations
    • Cinco de Mayo Invitations
    • Graduation Invitations
    • Summer Party Invitations
    • Business
    • Bridal Shower Invitations
    • Baby Shower Invitations
    • Halloween Invitations
    • Christmas Holiday Invitations
  • Kids Birthday
    • Boys Birthday Party Invitations
    • Girls Birthday Party Invitations
    • Kids Pool Party
    • Sleepover Party
  • Pre-Cut Ribbons
  • Entertaining
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Kentucky Derby Party
    • Preakness Stakes
    • Belmont Stakes
    • Memorial Day Party
    • 4th of July
    • Baby Shower Themes
    • Wedding Events, Planning and Invitations
  • Blog
  • Invitations
    • Super Bowl
    • First Communion
    • Kentucky Derby Invitations
    • Cinco de Mayo Invitations
    • Graduation Invitations
    • Summer Party Invitations
    • Business
    • Bridal Shower Invitations
    • Baby Shower Invitations
    • Halloween Invitations
    • Christmas Holiday Invitations
  • Kids Birthday
    • Boys Birthday Party Invitations
    • Girls Birthday Party Invitations
    • Kids Pool Party
    • Sleepover Party
  • Pre-Cut Ribbons
  • Entertaining
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Kentucky Derby Party
    • Preakness Stakes
    • Belmont Stakes
    • Memorial Day Party
    • 4th of July
    • Baby Shower Themes
    • Wedding Events, Planning and Invitations
  • Blog

Red, White & Blue Cocktails

5/2/2017

0 Comments

 
Red, white and blue cocktails are fun for Memorial Day, 4th of July or any other patriotic event. Ingredients for these cocktails include strawberries, blueberries, pineapple and watermelon, vodka, rum and white wine.
Red, White and Blue Cocktails for Memorial Day, 4th of July or any occasion | TheInvitationShop.com
Red, White and Blue Lychee Margarita

Red, White and Blue Lychee Margarita

2 ounces blanco tequila
1-1/2  ounces lychee juice
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce Cointreau
1/2 ounce Blue Curacao
Red sugar for rim

Moisten the rim of our glass with lime juice, turn it upside down into a dish of red sugar to coat the rim. Combine all ingredients except the Blue Curacao, into a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into your ice filled glass. Add the Blue Curacao, which will sink to the bottom of the glass, giving the cocktail a layered look.  Makes 1 cocktail.

Red, White & Blue Strawberry-Watermelon Daiquari

Red, White & Blue Strawberry-Watermelon Daiquari for 4th of July or Memorial Day
  • 2 oz of Rum
  • 1 oz of Triple Sec
  • 6-7 Frozen Strawberries
  • 1 Handful of Cubed, Seedless Watermelon
  • Sugar
  • Ice
  • Lime
  • Whipped Cream

Rub the rim of a glass with a lime (or lemon) wedge, and then dip the rim into a shallow dish of blue colored sugar.  Mix rum, Triple Sec, strawberries, watermelon, 1 tsp of sugar and ice in a blender.  Pour into the sugar-rimmed glass. Top with whipped cream, and garnish with a strawberry. Makes 1 drink. 
Thanks to Chickettes
planning a memorial day party

Red, White & Blue Sangria

Red, White & Blue Sangria for 4th of July or Memorial Day | TheInvitationShop.com
Strawberries, sliced
Blueberries
Pineapple, cut into star shapes
2 bottles dry white wine
1 cup Triple Sec
1/2 cup berry-flavored vodka
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup simple syrup

Combine the ingredients in a large pitcher and stir. Chill in the refrigerator for at least four hours.

Red, White & Blue Invitations

Shop Patriotic Party Invitations for Memorial Day and 4th of July from TheInvitationShop.com
patriotic invitations
Answers to Memorial Day Quiz:  1.  People in US Military Service; 2. The Civil War; 3. Decoration Day; 4. It was not the anniversary of a battle; 5. 3 p.m. 
0 Comments

Red, White and Blue Memorial Day Invitations

4/25/2017

0 Comments

 
Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and what better way to celebrate this occasion than with a BBQ with friends and family. 
Memorial Day BBQ Party Invitations from TheInvitationShop.com
Beer Keg Memorial Day Party Invitations | Come see our entire collection!
Shop memorial day invitations
Be sure to take our Memorial Day Quiz to see what you know about this national holiday. Some of the questions you'll find are:
  • Memorial Day was founded to honor military personnel who died in what war? 
  • What is decorated in remembrance of Memorial Day?
  • Since the end of World War I, Memorial Day is also called what?
  • Who said, "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived?" 
0 Comments

Shimmery Grunge Birthday Party Invitations

4/5/2017

0 Comments

 
If you, or someone you know, is celebrating a milestone birthday, do it in style with our trendy Grunge Birthday Party Invitations.

The invitations are printed on shimmery crystal white paper and come with shimmery envelopes that match the color of the ink used on the age on the invitation.

You can use this card for any age birthday.  We are adding new colors and the invitation will be available in ink and envelope colors of:
  • Gold
  • Hot Pink
  • Teal
  • Sage
  • Purple
  • Orange
  • Green
shop adult birthday invitations
You might also like:
  • Men's Theme Party Invitations
  • Women's Theme Party Invitations
  • Thank You Notes
  • 7 Tips for Throwing a Surprise Party
  • What Goes on an Invitation
  • 13 Things to NEVER put on an invitation
  • Regrets Only or RSVP?
  • When to Mail Invitations?​
Shimmery Grunge Birthday Party Invitations from TheInvitationShop.com - Use for ANY AGE - Lots of colors available
0 Comments

Maryland Crab Cakes Recipe for Your Preakness Party

4/3/2017

0 Comments

 
Maryland Crab Cakes Recipe for Your Preakness Party | TheInvitationShop.com
If you're planning a Preakness Stakes Party, you have to serve crab cakes! Here's a fabulous recipe.

Ingredients:
1/2 c. dry bread crumbs
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1 tbl Old Bay seasoning
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 lb. crab meat, shell and cartilage removed
  1. Mix bread crumbs, mustard, Old Bay and salt together and set aside.
  2. In another bowl, combine egg, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Gently fold in bread crumb mixture. Add crab meat and shape into individual cakes. Place them on a platter or cookie sheet. You should end up with about 6 or 7 cakes.
  3. Refrigerate for at least two hours, so they won't break apart when cooked.
  4. To cook the crab cakes, you can either put them under the broiler or saute in oil. It takes about 3-5 minutes to brown each side. To keep warm, place on cookie sheet in a 200 degree oven until you're ready to eat them. 
Serves 4-6


You might also like:
  • Traditions of the Preakness Stakes
  • Cocktails of the Preakness Stakes
  • Food Traditions of the Preakness Stakes
  • Preakness Stakes Party Invitations
0 Comments

Worst Wedding Mistakes: Wrong Postage

3/27/2017

0 Comments

 
Unless your wedding invitations are a single sheet of 80 lb. cover stock in an average envelope, chances are you will need more than one first-class postage stamp on your envelopes to get them to their destination.

If you guess or assume the amount of postage required and you're wrong, all your wedding invitations will be returned to you rubber stamped "insufficient postage." 

They will be returned provided you didn't skip putting a return address on your envelopes. Yes, some people have chosen to ignore the obvious and to save time or money, did not put a return addresses on their envelopes and the post office has no clue what to do with your beautiful invitations except to toss them.
Worst Wedding Mistakes: Wrong Postage on Invitations - We've got all the rules and tips on Wedding postage...
Did you know:
  • The shape of your mail will also determine the postage required?  Square envelopes require more postage as they don't meet the post office automation standards (nothing to do with weight.)
  • The direction you write the address on your envelopes can raise the postage due? Guest's addresses should be written parallel to the longest side. Getting cute and writing your guest's addresses across the short side of your envelopes may look awesome and be original, but be aware this style will cost you extra postage as it is difficult to process on mail sorting machines.
  • The maximum thickness of a letter is 1/4"? Also, the maximum size of a letter is 11-1/2" long x 6-1/8" high. If your invitations exceed one or more of these measurements, it will get classified as the next biggest shape and postage rates will change.
  • If you mail your invitations in invitation boxes, the postage will increase as it is more than the maximum thickness of 1/4".
  • Commas and periods are not to be used on addresses? This one is usually ignored on invitations and is not critical in determining the cost of postage, but don't go wild with commas, periods or fancy dots, the mail sorting machines don't like them.
  • The address should be clearly legible at arm's length? While you might adore the fancy calligraphy font with tons of loops and squiggles, it might not be the best font to use on your envelopes to ensure they are deliverable.
  • If your item weighs more than 13 ounces and you have affixed postage stamps, you must take it to an employee at the retail counter of the Post Office, you cannot put it in a collection box for pick up. We suggest you take your precious invitations into the post office anyway to make sure they meet all the post office standards before they leave your sight.
  • If you are mailing your invitations in clear plastic sleeves or clear plastic wrapping of any type, the postage must be on the outside of any wrapper.

In the planning stages, it is important to ask how much your invitations will cost to mail.  If adding $.11 or more postage just to be able to mail square envelopes (has nothing to do with weight, but orientation limitations with the post office scanning equipment) is something that isn't in your budget, you will need to choose a different size invitation before you get to the design, proof and printing stages.  

Do NOT buy all your postage until you have mailed a sample to yourself.  As soon as you get your invitations, put one together with all the pieces, address it to yourself, take it into the post office and have a postal employee determine and affix the correct amount of postage for your invitation, then mail it to yourself. You can work on assembling and addressing all the invitations after you've mailed this test sample.  When your sample arrives in your mailbox, you'll know the postage was correct  (or not if it was returned to you with "insufficient postage" stamped on it), you'll also see how it survived its journey and what your guests will see in their mailboxes and you can make any changes necessary before you mail all the invitations.  After you've done the test mailing, you can then buy your postage. 

Don't guess at postage and don't take chances with your invitations. A few extra steps will ensure your guests receive their invitations.
Shop Wedding Event Invitations
Wedding Planning
0 Comments

How Far in Advance Do You Mail Invitations?

3/14/2017

0 Comments

 
When to mail party invitations
When should you mail your party invitations is not a  trick question, but the answer can be confusing.  When to mail your party invitations depends on:
  • the type of party you are having
  • is it casual or formal
  • for kids or adults
  • for business or personal
  • in town, out of state or out of the country
  • is there a holiday or big event conflict

When to Mail Kid's Party Invitations:
For kids birthday party invitations, two to four weeks in advance should be enough notice.  However, if your child's party is around a holiday, around a busy sports schedule or around sports play-offs for your child or is on the same day as say the Super Bowl, extra notice or even having the party on a different day close to the birthday may be necessary.  Once children are in school, they understand their parties will occur on weekends and not necessarily on their birthdays.  You will also want to make sure best friends, grandparents and other special people are available on your chosen date and time before creating invitations.
When to Mail Formal Party Invitations:
Formal invitations should be sent four-six weeks before the date, even as much as eight weeks for a wedding.  If you want to send more than eight weeks notice of a party, consider sending a save the date card instead with the invitation to follow six-eight weeks before the event. Formal occasions include:
wedding
anniversary
graduation
charity gala
milestone birthday
baby shower
wedding shower
retirement party
first communion
baptism
christening
When to Mail Casual Party Invitations:
Informal or casual event invitations should be mailed two to four weeks before the party date. Casual barbecues, pool parties, dinner parties, birthday parties don't require a lot of notice to attend. Again, the exception to this is if there is a holiday on your party date or if there will be several other people celebrating the same occasion such as your child's graduation party should not be scheduled at the same time as their best friend's party, the Super Bowl, Halloween, etc.
When to Mail Holiday Party Invitations
When to Mail Holiday Invitations:
Holiday schedules fill up at warp speed, so for the best turnout at your party, you will want to mail holiday party invitations early enough to be the first to claim the date and the excitement and attention of your invited guests.

December Friday and Saturday nights are popular nights for parties, so don't wait long to claim the date for your event. New Year's Eve is also a party you will want to give guests lots of notice so they select your party as to one to attend.

When to Use Save the Date Cards:
If you are planning a party that needs advance notice for guests to take off work, travel long distances or arrange for child care, you can send save the date cards that notify them of the party, the date, and that more information will follow by a printed invitation with all the details.  Holidays, weddings, business functions or occasions that fight for your guests attendance such as 4th of July, Christmas, New Year's Eve are parties guests will appreciate receiving save the date cards to make advance preparations necessary to attend your party.
shop party invitations
Entertaining
0 Comments

Chevron and Elephant Baby Shower Invitations

2/9/2017

0 Comments

 
Chevron and Elephant Baby Shower Invitations in Pink, Teal or Yellow + baby shower planning tips from TheInvitationShop.com
Whether a baby girl or a baby boy is on the way, these cute baby elephant baby shower invitations are fun with their fresh colors of teal and orange, pink and orange or gray and lemon elephants and chevron stripe background.

Here's some ideas to make your elephant theme baby shower one everyone will enjoy:

  • Invitations: Get the party started with fabulous boy baby elephant or girl baby elephant themed shower invitations. 
  • Decorations: Decorating with lemon and gray, teal or pink with touches of orange in balloons, streamers, plates, napkins and tablecloths. 
  • Favors: Here are some fun elephant party favor ideas:  Fill a cello candy cone with peanuts and chocolates for a mix anyone will love. Make sugar cookies with an elephant cookie cutter and decorate in your shower colors.
  • Note Cards: Don't forget thank you notes make a great baby shower gift! Have each guest address an envelope to themselves to make sending thank yous a breeze for the mother-to-be.

You might also like:
  • Do You Include Mom in Baby Shower Planning?
  • Invitation Etiquette and What Goes on an Invitation
  • How Far in Advance Do You Mail Invitations?
  • Should You EVER use Regrets Only or Use RSVP?
  • How Do You Ask Baby Shower Guests to Stick to a Registry?
0 Comments

Humorous College Graduation Party Invitations

1/10/2017

0 Comments

 
Not all college graduation parties are classy or stuffy, some are down right outrageous and tons of fun. We've designed some college graduation party invitations for just that type of party so you can celebrate your achievements in laid back style. 

Our "party-on" humorous college grad invitations have gotten lots of comments from "Cool, dude!" to "That's disgusting!" (from a reviewer of our beer pong themes.)  We know not everyone has the same taste, so we've designed these invitations for the graduate who wants to do things a little differently.  Congrats on your graduation and party responsibly.
Humorous College Graduation Invitations from TheInvitationShop.com - Come see them all!
You might also like:
  • Who Do You Invite to a Graduation Party?
  • Should You EVER use Regrets Only or Only Use RSVP?
  • How Far in Advance Do You Mail Invitations?
  • Invitation Etiquette
  • Graduation Save the Date Cards
  • Graduation Party Invitations and Graduation Announcements
  • Personalized Graduation Thank You Notes
0 Comments

Owl Theme Gender Reveal Baby Shower Invitations & Planning

12/29/2016

0 Comments

 
Whoooo's on the way? If the expectant parents have not announced the gender of their baby, a Gender Reveal Baby Shower could be an ideal theme for a couple's baby shower.
Owl Theme Gender Reveal Baby Shower Invitations & Planning Ideas from TheInvitationShop.com
Blue Owl Thank You Notes from TheInvitationShop.com (Matching invitations available)
Pink Owl Thank You Notes from TheInvitationShop.com (Matching invitations available)
Say NO to naked Cupcakes with Shimmery Cupcake Wrappers from TheInvitationShop.com
  • Invitations:  Owl Gender Reveal Baby Shower Invitations will get guests excited about the shower and the fun of a gender reveal.
  • Decorations:  Use balloons in pink and blue and add touches of green or white throughout in your party ware, streamers, plates, napkins and tablecloths. A cute stuffed owl can be a main centerpiece and also a gift to the parents for the baby's nursery after the shower.
  • The Reveal:  You can do the reveal with a cake with the gender color hidden under frosting.  Have the doctor put the gender of the baby in an envelope, take it to a baker and they can put blue or pink food dye in the cake mix so when the cake is cut, the baby's gender is revealed. You can fill a box with pink or blue balloons and when the box is opened, balloons in pink or blue float out of the box. **Make sure you have still and video cameras ready to record the moment! Don't forget to get the reaction of the grandparents, too.
  • Favors:  For a couple's shower, fill cello candy cone bags with your favorite treats and tie then with with green ribbons or mix the green with pink and blue;  Make sugar cookies with an owl cookie cutter (a tulip cookie cutter works for an owl's face) and decorate in pink and blue or green.
  • Note Cards: Don't forget owl themed thank you notes.  Personalized note cards make a great baby shower gift! Before they leave the party, have each guest address an envelope to themselves to make sending thank yous a breeze for the new parents-to-be.
Shop all baby shower invitations
You might also like:
  • Do You Include Mom in Baby Shower Planning?
  • Planning a Baby Shower
  • Invitation Etiquette and What Goes on an Invitation
  • 13 Things to NEVER put on an invitation
  • How Far in Advance Do You Mail Invitations?
  • Should You EVER use Regrets Only or Use RSVP?
  • How Do You Ask Baby Shower Guests to Stick to a Registry?
0 Comments

Invitation Etiquette: Ask Guests to Bring Money to Tip Bartender?

6/14/2016

0 Comments

 
Invitation Etiquette: Ask Guests to Bring Money to Tip Bartender? | TheInvitationShop.com
We love the questions we get from our fabulous customers and today's question was one I haven't heard in all the years I've been creating party invitations.

               "How do you word invitations 
                   to ask guests to bring tips 
                         for the bartender?"

First, if you can afford a bartender, or your event supplies a bartender, you can afford the tip at the end of the evening. 

At most events, alcohol is the the responsibility of the hosts. If you can't afford an open bar, limit the guest's  selections to beer and wine or coffee and tea, whatever you can afford. If alcohol is not in your budget, consider inviting fewer guests so you can budget for this expense.  Also, check with your venue to see if the cost of a bartender and their tip is included as part of the overall bill for your event. 

I have been to events where there is a tip jar at the bar, and as long as you agree, it is fine for the bartender to put out the tip jar (remember, some guests will think this is tacky.) If you aren't okay with a big jar with a handwritten "Tips" note attached messing up your beautifully decorated venue, then make sure you let the bartender know that you are paying for their services as well as the tip at the end of the event and you would rather they put the tip jar under the bar for the duration of your event.

You don't expect guests to tip the wait staff and other people who made sure your event ran smoothly, so you shouldn't treat the bartender any differently. Figure out how you can cover the cost of serving cocktails and beverages to your guests and include that amount -- plus the tip -- in your event's budget. 

You might also like:
  • When to Mail Invitations
  • Worst Mistakes: Inviting Too Many Wedding Guests
  • Worst Mistakes:  Wrong Postage on Invitations
  • Shop for Party Invitations
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Entertaining

    Custom printed party invitations you're proud to send and guests will love to receive plus party favor boxes, bags, decorating tips and party planning help.

    Posts

    All
    Baby
    Birthday
    Cocktails
    Did You Know
    Etiquette
    General
    Humor
    Kids Invitations
    Party Invitations
    Party Planning
    Recipes
    Wedding

Invitations        Kids        Baby        Wedding        Note Cards       Party Favors     Pre-Cut Ribbons