Plan a dessert party

Invitations
Set the tone of your intimate gathering by sending guests a theme-appropriate invite.

Budget-friendly invitations
Letterpress and professionally printed invitations may not be in everyone’s budget. Use one of these cost-saving ideas for your next party.

Personal touch If you have nice handwriting, buy readymade invitations or monogrammed stationery cards and write on them (prepare a rough draft on a scrap piece of paper before writing the real thing).

Handmade Cut coloured card stock to a size of your choice and write or print text on the paper. Using a craft punch, punch shapes in a sheet of contrasting coloured paper, then glue shapes along the edge of the invite to create a border. Embellish with ready-made scrapbook stickers.

Computer generated Go digital! The HP Activity Centre (hp.ca/create) lets you choose from a variety of free templates and add photos to the invitations. Microsoft Office Online (office.microsoft.com/templates) has dozens of free downloadable templates, too.

Web mail/e-vites Save on paper and postage by sending invites for casual events via e-mail. Evite (evite.com) allows users to customize stationery and include a map. Guests can also sign up to bring food items.

 

Read more in Food & Entertaining and Party Planner