The first year of your baby’s life has passed like time in a warp! It seems only a minute ago you were holding the tiny, wrinkled bundle thinking, “Oh, how beautiful!” Now you look at those pictures, and even though you’re still blinded by love, you think, “He looked like a shriveled potato.” Or if you have more than one child, you might look at the unlabeled snapshot and say, “Which potato is that?”

Thankfully, your newborn baby has morphed into a much less wrinkled, and probably much more entertaining toddler. Now it’s time to celebrate. Whether you’re having a small family party or inviting half the neighborhood, let’s face it, you want a memorable invitation. Even if your husband rolls his eyes and suggests sending a group e-mail, you have something a little grander in mind. In that spirit; here are a few tips:

Do It Yourself:

Are you crafty? Do you have some time to play around with graphics and arrangement? If so, this route is for you. Better yet, it’s usually less expensive than purchasing custom made choices, and with this economy, who doesn’t want to save a buck?

This simple example is one I put together using my word processor application. I found the graphic at Microsoft.com clip art, which is free for Microsoft users, then simply added text. You can buy postcard stock at your super-store or office supply. Remember to check the craft section for wedding supplies for fancier card stock choices or, go really simple, and use blank index cards.

 

Buy It:

  • Perhaps you’re not so crafty. Perhaps your time is more limited than your budget. If so, never fear. Try out Tinyprints.  Simply choose a design, with or without photos, and enter your information. This is still a budget friendly choice, with prices ranging from $1.19 - $1.99 per card. Envelopes are included in the price of most designs. Many are available on recycled paper. This is sweet example:

  • For another online option, try out Vista Print for size. They, too have a wide variety of designs available with or without photos. The prices are worth celebrating. You can get 10 invitations for $4.49 plus $3.99 for envelopes. Here are two samples:

Think Outside the Box

If you want to think outside the box, so to speak, try out these ideas:

  • How about the invitation your invitees can use? Photo bookmarks are fun, useful, and probably won’t
    get tossed into the trash after the party, therefore, promote green living. iprint.com has an affordable option of 25 bookmarks for $9.89. Here’s a sample I put together on the user friendly site.
  • Photo magnets make great invitations and are also quite useful. VistaPrint also offers these magnets(3.5 x 2 inches) for $6.49. They make perfect invitations/keepsakes for special guests or if you’re keeping it small.
  • If you are keeping the guest list to a minimum, you may also consider photo coasters. You can get a set of 4 for only $6 from seller obiegraphics on e-Bay. These are made of the same material as mouse pads. I suggest adding text to the photo before sending.

Hope these ideas help you with the details so you can relax and enjoy the day with your child. Happy Hunting!

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