Significance

• Party invitations provide the first glimpse that guests get of a party. Many people use party invitations that have the same colors as their party's colors or they may use a background design that reveals the theme of the party. Many people choose one or two colors or images to serve as the main theme of the party. For a baby shower, this may be a stork or the color blue. For a sports party, it may be the colors of the sports team. Seeing those colors in the invitations gives the guests a small taste of what is to come.
  
  

Function

• Every party invitation must tell the guests a few things about the party that will enable them to come. These include the month and date of the party, the address or the name of the establishment where the party will be held and the time it will start. For many parties, it is also necessary to tell guests what type of attire will be required. This may be formal wear, costumes or anything else that the guests will be expected to wear.
  
  

Types

• Party invitations may be printed by a professional printer who can offer a number of paper, ink color and design options. Having party invitations printed can sometimes mean a wait of a week or more for the invitations, but the result is a professionally-designed invitation. Other options include buying a pre-printed design and writing in the names, dates and times. Some people choose to write or design their invitations themselves. The invitations can be completely handwritten or the person can use their computer to design and print out the invitations.
  
  

Features

• For some parties, adding special instructions to the invitation will help the party proceed smoothly. This may be revealing that the party is a surprise for someone and that guests are not to reveal the surprise. Some invitations specify that gifts are not to be brought or where someone is registered. Occasionally there are contingency plans on an invitation in the event of bad weather. For outdoor parties, alternate instructions may be given if there is rain at the time of the party.
  
  

Considerations

• A newer method of inviting people to a party is the evite. An evite is an electronic invitation that is emailed rather than sent through the physical mail. There are sites that cater to parties by offering evite templates that can be sent to friends as well as a central location online where guests can R.S.V.P. for the party. Evite is perhaps the best known online party invitation site.