Homemade Birthday Party Invitation Ideas

Birthday party invitations are often expensive when you buy them in the store. Making your own invitations can save you money, but that's not the only reason to do it yourself. Creating original invitations is a fun project for you and your child, and it makes the party guests feel extra special.

Balloon Invitations

A fun and easy way to make great invitations is to put them into balloons. You'll need to use regular paper instead of card stock to avoid potentially putting a hole in the balloon. Simply write a note with the party details on it, roll it up, and insert it into a balloon. If you can fill them with helium that's great, but it's not necessary.

Balloon invitations will have to be hand delivered. Calling ahead to make sure the recipient will be home is a good idea. When you give them the balloons, be sure to tell them to pop them - they may not realize that there is something inside!

Puzzle Invitations

Kids love puzzles. So puzzle invitations are sure to be a hit. There are a few different ways you can make them.

A simple way is to write your message and the details of the party on card stock and decorate with stamps or stickers. Then just cut it up into pieces. The pieces should be large enough not to get lost in the shuffle, but small enough to provide a challenge. Then just put the pieces in an envelope and mail or deliver the puzzles.

You can also make a puzzle with craft sticks. Lay enough of them side by side to write your party details on, and paint them with spray paint or craft paint. Let the background color dry, then decorate by painting on designs or using rubber stamps. Then paint the party details on, or write them with a permanent marker. Once everything is nice and dry, mix the sticks up and tie them together with ribbon.

Making Invitations with Your Computer

It's easy to make great invitations with your computer. There are lots of software programs available that have premade card designs that you can customize to your liking. Most programs also have clipart and fancy fonts that you can use to design a card that is totally unique.

You can add to the personalization of the invitations you make on the computer with some craft supplies. Scrapbooking scissors with fancy designs, punchouts, and stickers can all add character to your cards. If you're feeling especially creative, you could forgo the computer and use card stock and craft supplies to make the invitations completely from scratch.

Homemade invitations can be as creative as you have the time and imagination to make them. They also provide an opportunity for you and your child or children to collaborate to make something wonderfully original. For less than you would pay for store-bought cards, you could make awesome invitations that are the talk of the town.