Christmas Parties are a Comin'!

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It’s almost time for festive holiday parties… any excuse to eat some holiday treats and celebrate the season with friends and family is fine by me.

As hostesses, we make sure no detail is overlooked. We spend plenty of time planning, preparing and executing… cooking, baking and decorating.

Why not let the first thing our guests see be just as festive and thoughtful?

Why not make our own invitations?

Here’s an invitation I made for an ornament exchange party that my sister is having. Just a little inspiration and idea of how you can create your own.

Here is what you will need:

1. Scrapbook paper with the design of your choice. I bought my scrolly black and white paper at Hobby Lobby. But there are pretty black and white prints here as well.

2. Black 5 x7 cardstock or cards that are cut in half.

3. Glue Runner

4. cream/white 4.5 x 6.5 card stock (purchased at the hobby lobby)

5. Black Glitter Paper

6.Red Glitter Paper

7. Shiny Metallic Silver Scrapbook Paper

Let’s begin!

First, design and print out what you want the card/invitation to say on the 4.5 x 6.5 card stock paper.

Next, measure out and cut an inch by 5 inches (rectangle) from the scrapbook paper print.

And then cut a strip of red glitter paper. Any size less than .25 inch is fine.

Now that we have made our cuts, we can start to glue the pieces together.

I love, love, love glue runners. No mess and they are a permanent hold. (Keep that in mind… there is no re-positioning once the papers have met)

Glue the white card stock to the 5 x7 black card stock.

Glue the scrapbook paper to the edge.

Followed by the strip of red glitter paper.

Next, we are going to make our ornaments. Trace a circle onto the back of the red glitter paper. I used the top of a water bottle but use whatever works for the size you want. Then, draw a tear drop shape. After you draw one… cut it out and use it as a stencil for the rest.

Cut the shapes out. You will need one circle and one tear drop for each card.

Position the ornament where you want them and glue them to the card.

Take the black glitter paper and cut tiny strips. These will be the string for the ornaments. I use a Paper Trimmer… it makes it so much easier to get straight lines.

Glue and trim off the excess ornament strings.

Now, take the metallic silver paper and cut a trapezoid. Doesn’t that shape take you back to your geometry days? Oh, boy… bad memories. haha

Then cut two ribbon ends into the bottom of the trapezoid.

Glue them onto the top of your ornaments.

Pair these with red envelopes and you have yourself an invitation!

That wasn’t too incredibly difficult, now was it?

Not only do you have an original invitation… but your guests will be delighted that you took the time to make your own. Or they will just think you are crazy for having a moment of spare time during the holiday season. haha Nevertheless, homemade and heartfelt are what the holidays are all about. At least that’s the way it is here on the Prairie.