Free Party Invitations

Why Use Free Invitations?

Free invitations serve the same purpose as expensive note card invitations: they let potential guests know where and when the celebration is, the point of the party, and any other critical information such as a party theme or directions to the location. But choosing free party invitations lets party organizers concentrate their budget on more important aspects of the event such as food, games, entertainment, or just stretching the budget in order to invite one more friend.

At the same time, free invitations are not always appropriate. Because they’re free, the quality of the invitation is not generally as nice as purchased designs, and free materials may not be suitable for formal affairs such as weddings, religious-oriented parties, quinceaneras, or other solemn occasions. Any event that is more casual and carefree, however, can easily make use of free invitations. Children’s birthday parties, impromptu pool parties or barbeques, and informal dinner parties, for example, can benefit from free invites.

Types of Free Party Invitations

There are three basic types of free invitations: electronic notes, printable invitations, and homemade invitations. All types of party invitations come in a wide range of categories for all party types, including:

• Birthday parties for general celebrations or specific numbers
• Graduation parties
• Baby and bridal showers
• Dinner parties
• Family, class, or coworker reunions
• Weddings or engagement parties
• Pool, beach, or other summer parties
• Holiday parties for Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, or other seasonal events
• Housewarming parties
• Any conceivable party theme: luaus, casino nights, movie parties, etc.

Evites

Electronic invitations, or evite invitations, are sent over the computer to a potential guest’s email. These invitations may include animated graphics, music, or sound effects as well as the critical invitation information. One benefit of electronic invitations is the lack of postage – with postal rates regularly increasing, mailing invitations to large party can be a pricey undertaking. Evites can be even easier with providers who let senders fill in multiple recipient addresses so all the invitations can be sent at once without needing to fill in multiple forms.

Companies that offer free evites include:

• Evite.com: A wide range of electronic invitation designs for different types of parties.
• American Greetings: Collection of free electronic invitations in various categories.
• 123 Greetings: Dozens of free electronic designs using clipart and photographs.
• Ezilon.com: Free electronic postcard invitations in quirky, fun designs.

When setting up electronic invitations, party organizers should double check all recipient email addresses to be sure everyone will receive their invitation. Before hitting send, verify all the party information (date, time, location, etc.) for accuracy, and be sure to include R.S.V.P. information so guests can accept or decline the invitation.

Printable Invitations

Invitations can be printed quickly.

Free printable invitations are downloadable templates party hosts can fill in and mail to invited guests. The level of detail varies for each invitation – some may be just a graphic or frame with blank space to be filled in, while others may have specialized lines for party information as well as photographs and other artwork, catchphrases, or quirky verses. Printable templates can often be personalized, and they may come as a single, unbroken sheet, a bifold card, or a quad-fold card. Unique downloadable invitations may even be coloring pages for kids to customize. Another benefit of downloading an invitation is the ability to choose the specific invitation paper, which can further customize the correspondence for any level of formality.

Websites offering downloadable party invitations include:

• Family Shopping Bag: Simple foldable designs for a variety of parties.
• PrintFree.com: Basic invitations in different formats.
• Mom’s Break: Collection of diaper pin printable invitations in different colors, great for baby shower invitations.
• Free Printable Stationary: Several classic party decoration designs for invitations.

When using an invitation template, be sure to test print a sample first to verify spacing, print color, and size before printing large quantities.

Homemade Invitations

Do-it-yourselfers will enjoy making their own free party invitations with some specialty paper and a bit of time. Many office stores and party suppliers offer computer paper with a range of party themes and borders, which is an economical way to print your own party invitations. Plain white paper adorned with coordinated clipart and graphics can also be used, and choosing different fonts, text colors, and sizes can make the invitation stand out without costing a bundle. As with downloadable invitations, however, always test a sample prior to printing many invitations and don’t forget to verify critical party information for typos and omissions.

Problems with Free Invitations

Free party invitations may seem like the way to go for any cost-conscious celebration, but there are pitfalls to using them. Many electronic and downloadable invitations, for example, may have corporate logos or copyright notices in the design which could detract from the look of the invitation. Some companies require users to register before downloading or sending invitations, which could lead to unwanted email solicitations. Some companies also offer free invitations only in limited quantities or for a trial period instead of unlimited use. Interested party planners should also check for hidden fees such as registration charges, personalization fees, surcharges for matching envelopes, and of course, postage. Any of these fees can easily make free party invitations far more expensive than expected.

Party costs can quickly add up, and using free invitations is a way for party organizers to keep a budget under control while still letting guests know about the event. By understanding the different types of freebies and what to watch out for, it is possible to save a bundle on invitations without sacrificing anything from the party itself.