Invitation Ideas

[aim225]

I have been lurking around on this site for 3 years and I just finally joined!!!

Ok with that said I also added my exchange to the other thread and I would love to have anyone in the OKC area looking to join one attend mine.

This year will be my second exchange and last year I did a magnet I created in Publisher and sent out as a save the date and I coordinated the invitation to match.

This year I am currently in the process of getting my save the dates out and created a cute crafty magnet. I purchsed these cute little plaques from Hobby Lobby (the brand was "Make It Christmas") they were on the Christmas aisle and they are green with red organza ribbons. I used scrapbook lettering in white, red, and some were even done in candy cane letter and glitter letters (they were not all the same it was basically what I had on hand I am a big scrapbooker) and personalized them with "Save the Date - December 13th " Oh I almost forgot I also found on the same aisle there at Hobby Lobby with the Christmas Crafts small tiny cookie cutters 12pc per pkg so I also glued a cookie cutter on each magnet.

I put them in brown lunch sacks with tissue and ribbon along with a note giving basic info about the exchange and telling them to save the date and there will be more info to follow, that note I printed on gingerbread scented paper. So when they opened the sack they got a huge whiff of gingerbread. So far everyone that I have given the save the dates too have LOVED them.. My 15 year old helped me with the idea and they were so cute and inexpensive to do plus it gives them a visual reminder.

I will try to post a picture if I can't not sure yet haven't been on the boards long enough to know if that is possible.

This years invites I purchased last year at Wal-Mart at the end of the season Christmas Clearance. They are actually Christmas Cards that have cookies all over the front they are scented like gingerbread (developing my theme...) and they have a recipe card that fits into slits inside the card so my goal is to get everyone to return those recipe cards to me so I can get the cookie cookbook out earlier this year from everyone that attended the exchange...

I hope this helps get the creative juices flowing in some of you I know this site helped me plan last years exchange (my 1st one ever) and I don't feel it would have been the success it was without Robin and this board!!!! Thanks everyone!

[CherylCT]

I really like the idea of save the date magnets and just ordered some for my party this year. Question: how do you mail them? Do you use regular envelopes?

[Antoinette]

Last year was my fist cookie exchange and it was a great hit. Everyone is asking my party is this year. I even have a friend that is planning her baby shower around my party! I really need some fresh ideas for invites. Last year I made big gift tags with ribbon top and wrote the invite out like the recipe card. I was thinking about doing big arnaments and writing cookie exchange on them and then putting the invite inside the ornament. Like message in an ornament, but it's not going to work because i am not able to hand deliver them all. Help please!

[jacqui miles]

TRY PUNCH BOWL .COM

[Adebo]

I found some adorable invites online at Oriental Trading. They are in the shape of an apron with ribbon used as the apron strings. There is a recipe card tucked in the front of the apron where you can list the event details (time, place, etc.) The were reasonably priced at $6 for a set of 12 invites, including envelopes.

[Jane Roberts]

Just an idea ... I hang cookie cutters from my chandelier in the dining room when decorating for the cookie exchange. I hang them from red and green ribbons cut to different lengths.

[Marci L]

Here's a copy of my invitation. This is my 5th year. I tried to write some "kind/gentle" rules, mostly because I know my friends will go above and beyond every year. They really go all out, and I've never had a store bought cookie (that I knew of, anyway!) I print it on Christmas paper, and use Evite as well.

Get out your apron's ladies, it's that time of year again!!!!

You’re invited to Marci’s 5th Annual
Cookie Exchange !!!


Leave the holiday pressures behind, and come enjoy a girls night out with friends old and new!

All About— The Cookie Exchange!
* All cookies should be homemade; bar cookies are welcome too!
* Please bring 4-dozen cookies; (The idea here is—if you come with 4-dozen, you leave with 4-dozen!)
* Bring a container to take your cookies home! (Cookie sheets or a large platter work great!)
* The Cookies: Be creative! Bake an old family favorite, or try something new, perhaps a cookie recipe from your heritage, or a recipe you’ve always wanted to try!
* Bring your appetite! There will be an appetizer buffet!
* The most important instructions to have fun baking, exchanging, and sharing the holiday season with friends!
Prizes!!!
There will be a prize for-
Best looking cookie display
Tastiest looking cookie
Most festive cookie

[cookiezenmilk]

just ordered the apron invites from oriental traders

bit.ly/6DfCHO

noted the reviews on how to assemble with a stapler since it doesn't come with directions.

[Kim_B]

Good morning!!

Since I have found so many wonderful ideas here, I thought I'd give back and share the poem I used on my invites - it's by no means perfect, and I altered the rules to suit my tastes, but maybe it will help another Cookie Exchange n00b, or give some one else a starting point for something new

‘Tis the season for good cheer;
Memories last from year to year!
A time for old traditions too,
But this year we’ll try something new!

Leave the kids and husbands, too
I’ve planned this day just for you!
Before the hustle and stress begin
We’ll ring this Christmas season in!

Bake some cookies, bars, or candy
Anything would just be dandy.
We’ll share some recipes and laughter,
Then take home cookies to enjoy after!

Don your festive Christmas wear,
We’ll celebrate and, have no fear -
Those cookies you agreed to bring,
Will get our party in full swing!

I used this on the front of my invites; the inside has all the details and guidelines including specific instructions on how many cookies to bring, as well as when to RSVP. The back just has my name, address, and phone number(s) just in case some one needs it.

Thanks to every one who has shared their experiences, ideas, themes, etc!!

[Robin]

Hi Kimmy,
Verrry cute rhyming invite... A+
Robin

[Kim_B]

Thanks Robin!

[normischell]

I am hosting my first Cookie Exchange this December and since I'm an over-planner I have already started on it. This is the cover of the invite. The theme is Holly. I printed them out on cards and hand colored them in. I will be using Facebook for the Save the Date. I plan to crochet a Holly ornament for each person to take home and write out the recipes for the cookies, making them into little booklet for another take home. I'm still looking up games for the party and thinking of the Menu. I'm sooo excited about it I even dream about it! Thanks for the wonderful website, Robin!

Attachments:

[Robin]

Hi Normischell, thanks for sharing your cute idea and good luck this year!

[playroom730]

Oct 20, 2004 0:24:01 GMT -5 Robin said:

and regarding Invitations....

The most ambitious invite I've ever heard about was this:

A woman emailed me about about doing an invitation with icing on a large edible cookie and she was asking me how I thought she should ship them.

The cookie idea sounds great, it would be fun to be the receiver, but a lot of work (toooo much work)... Instead of messing w/ postage and shipping, I would probably hand deliver....

What's the wildest and craziest invite you have done and/or received?

Cookie cutters in a small box- shipping was a small fortune, I have sent message in a bottle, pressed snowflakes bewteen slides (fake) invite in a chinese take out box, it was a halloween party and they were all hand delivered, Flip books for a christmas holiday party, music paper invite was written like a song. I've sent out cd's with the invite info on first track and holiday music on the rest. A journal (coming of teen party) 13. A hand written book (parents 50th anni) And dvd's with a story for invite, black and white silent film.
My daughters grad party we sent out posters of her exhibiton showing 11x17 they were so cool. We tubed them so they didn't wrinkle. also expensive to mail.
For a college grad party we sent out martini themed shot glasses with a martini recipe for sucess. I have hosted quite a few parties over the years, sometimes I feel like my Cookie invite is sorta boring compared to others! lol
The first impression a guest has of an upcoming event is the invite, I can almost imediately tell by the invite what class of event I will be attending.

[playroom730]

Oct 29, 2009 15:44:36 GMT -5 @Adebo said:

I found some adorable invites online at Oriental Trading. They are in the shape of an apron with ribbon used as the apron strings. There is a recipe card tucked in the front of the apron where you can list the event details (time, place, etc.) The were reasonably priced at $6 for a set of 12 invites, including envelopes.

I can see doing thiss with a Real apron, you can find them in bulk for as little as $2 each. folded they should fit in a small maniala envelope. I may have next years invit idea

[pamw]

This is my invitation this year, I am proud of it, but when I sent it out, I got only one comment about it, and that was from my son, which I sent to his wife and my granddaughter not him, and he called me the Cookie Nazi .
Here it is:
The time of the year is here
for parties and fun,
Please join me at the Cookie Exchange
to get your cookie baking done.
The date is December 8, 2012
at noon for lunch,
Come one, come all,
we will have food and some punch.
Cookies is what it is all about
not sure just how many,
please rsvp before November 22,
probably need more than 20.
The theme this year is
"T'was the night before Christmas,"
To add to the experience,
You all need to wear pajamas.
My house will be decorated
with many Santas and the tree,
Remember the rules that apply
which are attached as you will see.
As usual, there will be prizes for
best presentation and Christmas attire,
So many of you put so much into it,
the rest of us all do admire.
There will be games and drawings
that include prizes galore,
and a special gift for all attending
as I have had in the years before.
A Cookie Exchange is no ordinary
party none of us will argue,
Your participation is necessary, and
for that, I do thank you.
Please let me know if you are able to
attend, I don't mean to force,
But I look forward to seeing you
and your cookies of course!!!!
P.S. Make sure you read over the
poem that matches my theme,
If any of you memorize it,
that will be supreme!!!

I am really not a poet by heart, but it was a labor of love to put this together.
Thanks for reading, Pam