How to Create Your Own Birthday Invitations

Last Updated: November 25, 2021 References

Throwing a birthday party is a lot of fun, but it does require planning in advance. Part of the preparation includes creating and handing out invitations to your desired guests. There are many ways to go about creating and sending invitations to a birthday party. They can be made by hand, created on the computer, or designed on the internet. Also, birthday cards can be delivered by hand, sent in the mail, or even sent through email. Decide on how you want your invitations to be delivered and get to creating.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Knowing What to Include

1
Use inviting words. Since birthday parties are about celebration, be sure to translate that excitement onto the birthday invitations. You want them to be just that, inviting. Here are some ideas to keep in mind:
- Use phrases like, "You're invited to...", "Come join us for...", or "Help us celebrate..." at the top of your invitation.^{[1]
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- Keep a positive tone, and avoid saying anything negative or offensive.
2
Include important information. You want to be specific about everything your guests should know and expect.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Christina Millikin
Founder & CEO, Glow Events
Expert Interview. 11 February 2020.} Here is vital information to include:
- List where the party is, when it is, and what time it is. Put this information right below the title.^{[3]
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- If you don't have all the information ready when making the invitations, try putting up a website for the birthday that you can update later. Just remember to include the link to the website on the invitation.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Christina Millikin
  Founder & CEO, Glow Events
  Expert Interview. 11 February 2020.}
- If the birthday is a surprise, emphasize the importance of promptness and be sure to include "sshhh" so they know to keep quiet. Ask your guests to arrive at least one hour before the guest of honor in case anyone shows late.^{[5]
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3
Let your guests know what to bring. If you are having your birthday party at a pool, skating rink, or some other event, let your guests know what they will need to take part in the activity. You do not want someone to be left out of an activity because they were unaware of what they needed to have.^{[6]
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- Near the bottom of your invitation, you may write, "Things to bring:", and then list out important items guests will need.
4
Ask your guests to RSVP. This will help you keep track of how much food, beverage, or other goods you may need. The last thing on the invitation should be a request for RSVP. You can provide your phone number, address, or email address. It is up to you whether you want them to call you, reply by mail, or send you an email. Here is what it may look like:^{[7]
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- RSVP by (insert date), and then add your contact information either next to, or underneath RSVP.^{[8]
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- If you're asking the guests to RSVP, try to send the invitation at least a month before the party.^{[9]
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  Expert Source
  
  Christina Millikin
  Founder & CEO, Glow Events
  Expert Interview. 11 February 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making an Evite Invitation

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Send an "Evite". You can create an online invitation through the evite website that will be sent directly to your guests via email. This way, your guests can open, read, and RSVP through email, and no paper or stamps will be wasted.^{[10]
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- When you get to the site, click on "Create an Invitation" to get started.
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Choose your design. There is an option to either upload your own personal background or photos, or to to choose a design from the website. Click on the option you want to use.^{[11]
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Enter the required information. Whether you uploaded a personal image, or chose a stock image, you will be prompted to enter in information that will go on the invitation. You will need to state when, where, and what the party is.^{[12]
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- There is a space at the bottom for you to include any special notes or comments.
4
Create an account. After you create the invitation, you will be asked to either sign in or create an account. You will need to provide your name and email address to create an account if you are new to the site.^{[13]
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Add the recipients. The last step is to include the email addresses of everyone you want to send the invitation to. There is an option to connect with the recipients through Facebook to send out the invitations. Once you have included your recipients, click "Finish & Send".^{[14]
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Wait to see who is coming. Once your guests receive their invitations, they can mark if they are coming or not. You will be notified once they do.^{[15]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Invitations on Your Computer

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Create a design on Microsoft Word. Once you open Microsoft Word, click on "Page Layout" and choose a border. There are many fun borders to choose from. You can choose a lined design, or pick from the stock images that include many types of pictures.^{[16]
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- For example, you can choose a slice of cake to border the sides of your page.^{[17]
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2
Download an invitation template. If you do not want to use the stock images form Microsoft Word, there are many birthday designs available for free online. With a quick search on the internet, you can be sure to find a birthday theme that fits your party.^{[18]
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Choose a design that fits the party's theme. For example, if you are throwing a princess-themed birthday, make the borders fancy and girly. If the party is at the beach, add a beach ball or picture of the sun. This will make your invitation more attractive and support the theme of your party.^{[19]
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- You can add clip art from your computer or upload a personal picture from your computer's library.
4
Include a title. The title should be centered at the very top and be bold, colorful, and easy to read. For example, if you are having a beach party, the title may say, "Come for Fun in the Sun at Jessica's Party!" The more interesting the title is, the better. You want people to get excited about your party.^{[20]
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Include important information under the title. Let your guests know what, where, and when the party is along with anything they may need to have fun. Also, include the contact information you want your guests to use when they RSVP.^{[21]
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Mail out the invitations or give them to people discreetly. Avoid handing them out in front of others who are not invited. If it is a surprise party, be sure to avoid handing them out near the person you are surprising.

Community Q&A

Question

How far in advance do you send RSVP?

Christina Millikin
Founder & CEO, Glow Events
Christina Millikin is the Founder and former CEO of Glow Events, an event planning agency based in San Francisco, California. Glow Events is a boutique event planning firm specializing in full event production and creative design for corporate and social events. Christina has worked with clients such as Salesforce, Heroku, Okta, and Netflix. Glow Events' work has been featured in Martha Stewert Weddings, InStyle, and SanFrancisco Magazine. Christina is an advisor to the management team at Glow, as well as a business advisor for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, and she has a BS in Marketing from the University of Florida.

Christina Millikin

Founder & CEO, Glow Events

Expert Answer

Sometimes people wait until really late to send them out and then they don't have enough time to get RSVPs back. Try to send the invitations more than a month in advance so you can get them back a month before the planned date.
Question

What if it's a glow party?

Community Answer

Find a way to make your birthday invites correspond with your party theme. Add a glow stick to each invitation with a note saying, "Get your glow on!"
Question

Where is the best place to purchase invitations if I cannot create them at home?

Community Answer

I recommend Party City, but sometimes Hallmark or Walmart has them too. And you can always order them online.