<p>Anyone have a source (online or other) for graduation party invites that won’t break the bank? I’d like something a little more special than a cellophane wrapped 8 pack from Hallmark but nothing even close to the cost of custom engraved invitations. Anyone? (And any suggestions for foolproof make-ahead dishes to feed a crowd? Hey, I’m multitasking here.)</p>
<p>paperlicious has some cute stuff…their tagline is all about hip invites…you pick the paper, type, etc. and then put in your copy. Pretty inexpensive too.
[Hip</a> Baby Shower Invitations and Party Invitations & Cool Custom Stationery by Paperlicious](<a href=“http://www.paperlicious.com%5DHip”>http://www.paperlicious.com)
My idea of a fool proof make ahead to feed a crowd involves calling Subway, Blimpies or the local deli so I can’t help you there.</p>
<p>Paper Direct…but usually boxes are at least 100 pieces…don’t know if you need that many (but…if you get the blank invite or letterhead…it could also be used for thank you notes!)</p>
<p>[PaperDirect</a> Graduation Party Paper](<a href=“http://www.paperdirect.com/Graduation+Party+Paper/cid=166/shop.axd/Category]PaperDirect”>Error | Paper Direct)</p>
<p>Also – around graduation time Staples and the other office stores, along with places like Party City often have computer cards and paper with “graduation” borders (Hallmark might, too)</p>
<p>Food – As with ebeeee…Subway or local deli for one of those very large subs. Any kind of marinated salad can be made a day or two in advance (any or all of the following in italian dressing…artichoke hearts, tomato, olive, onion, etc.) Costco/BJ’s/Sam’s club have great platters of nice wraps , cut fruit, veggies etc. Sometimes less expensive than getting all of the ingredients and making yourself.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll check into them.</p>
<p>I went to my grocery store (can also go to Target, etc.) and got the photocards made for 45 cents each, including an envelope.! I used a baby picture of my son on the beach (they just scanned in it - didn’t need a negative), and they typed in the words, "Join us in celebrating, X is graduating. Then the address, date and time. People who were invited told me they really enjoyed the invite, and it was a custom job for cheap! :)</p>
<p>That’s a clever idea, anxious.</p>
<p>So I wound up buying a cute design that has an overlay which you run through your home printer. Now I could use some help with the wording. Any suggestions? The preprinted ones in the stores all seem to say “Come congratulate the grad.” Ho hum.</p>
<p>I like invitations with photos on them. I got a cute invitation last year from four of D’s classmates who were having a joint party. One of the moms took a photo of the 4 of them sitting on the large bricked sign in front of the high school, and the invites were done flier-style.</p>
<p>At our office depot, they sell postcard-size magnets, that you can print a photo and text on. We got one of those as a save-the-date card for a wedding, and it’s still on my fridge (the wedding was last October) because it’s so cute.</p>
<p>Edit - oh well, didn’t realize you already bought something! Did you try googling for graduation invites, to check out other wording? Is your party going to have any particular theme? Are we talking S or D?</p>
<p>Just did that, binx, and came up with something simple and not at all stuffy or pretentious. Perfect. Thanks for your suggestion.</p>
<p>It is so easy to use your computer to design the card, then print it on the paper of your choice. Plan your food around what your crowd will like- young and old.</p>
<p>We did a postcard type invite that had one of her senior photos (a more casual one) on it. We put the basic party info, one of her favorite quotes (cause it went went the party theme) and then at the bottom put her future plans: “Susie will be attending the Honors program at So and so college majoring in Communications” . It was nice for relatives out of town who didn’t know all her plans.</p>
<p>wis75, for me the process wasn’t exactly easy. Due to the odd size of the overlay, I had to temporarily tape it to a full sheet of paper to feed it through my printer. It was a little too large to fit in the envelope feeder and too small to put through the full size paper tray. But it worked and they’re cute. I also bought some graduation themed stickers at Michaels to use as an envelope seal.</p>