Responding -The Best Time is Any Time
How often do we say we are going to write a note to someone to see how they are doing, or to just send a note to send a picture of a new grandchild, a vacations spot we enjoyed over the summer or just to say hello. We find ourselves heading for the computer and writing email. It is an easy thing to do, especially if you are on the go. Writing notes is a personal thing and it is true not many people like to do it, but when you receive a note in the mailbox from someone you haven't seen in a while, it makes you happy to hear from them. The notes don't have to be elaborate, or long in content, but just a few words to express your thoughts and send wishes to someone you know. Pick up those pens and make someone happy today.......
FUN & TRENDY
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OCCASION/ GIFT SETS
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SHOWERS/WEDDINGS
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MINI ART/ FAVORS
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PERSONAL/THANKS
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TEA PARTY
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GOLF MANIA
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KIDS KARDS
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TROPICAL SPLENDOR
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ANNIV/REHEARSAL
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PRINCESS PARTY
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CONTACT
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ART
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NEW BABY
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ARTICLES BY JACKIE
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HOLIDAY CARDS
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CRAFTS
Invitation Etiquette
We all love to get an invitation to a special event or occasion, whether it be one that is professionally made or perhaps printed off your computer. Invitations that are engraved are lovely and very impressive and costly.
Not every situation calls for the formality of a professionally engraved invite. Truthfully, an invite handwritten to each guest is very formal and personal. You can write your own thoughts or words of expression, instead of sending a generic invite to your guests. Personal notes or invitations are definitely the way to go. You might say, “I haven’t the time to write each card out”. Although this may be true, the person that receives the invite or note will appreciate it more and could only say “yes” to your invitation. Customized notes or invitations can be designed for the event you are having. Whether it be a birthday party, pool party, tea party, anniversary, wedding shower, baby shower or wedding sending your personal note will make a hit. The style of your card depends upon you and sometimes you are unable to find the right theme or subject matter in your average card shop. Special custom designed cards are hard to find. A hand painted and signed by the artist card are great invitations to send. The front of these cards can be matted and framed and kept as a keepsake. A set make great table favors for your guest. Just a thought….Nothing Leaves An Impression Like A Lasting One…
Respond to an Invitation ASAP
When receiving an invitation do you let it hang around on your kitchen counter until you make up your mind to respond yes or no. How many of us do just that. If eel if you know you are going when you receive it, just respond...if you are not going even better, let your host know right away in a timely fashion. There is nothing more irritating to a host of a party to wait to hear from their invited guests beyond the respond date. It was thoughtful of them to send you an invite and it would be more thoughtful to respond ASAP.
Formal or Informal Invitations
There's an event coming up and now you are planning a party. You are confused as to what you should do first. What type of food to prepare, what time, what place, but most of all who to invite and who not to invite. Is it going to be a fancy affair, that is formal or laid back and relaxed and being an informal event. Now you have decided on your date, the time, your guests, the food and what type of decorations. Fine - you are all set, but now you have to prepare invitations. There are so many styles and types to send you could really get confused. Preprinted store purchased cards or engraved are lovely and elegant, but not always the way to go. The other choice are plain blank note invitations that you write out yourself. True they take a little more time and effort, but such a warm gesture on your part when you write a hand written note to each of your guests. This is informal, but very formal when you send each of your guests a personal message on your invitation.
Who Returned This Invitation Response?
You sent out your wedding invitations with response cards and prepaid envelopes. GREAT! – that’s over with….but what happens when you receive a response card wherein the persons name is not on it, just “will attend” or “will not attend” checked off. No forwarding address on the envelope, no name – YIKES! –what now?……Or maybe you get a response card “Mr. & Mrs. Jones”, but no mention if they will or will not attend. O.K., so now you are really going to lose it – who are these mystery people – No name, no address, no “will attend ” and no “will not attend”. Well, here is something that you can do to prevent that. When making your guest list, prepare a list by assigning a number to each guest, i.e. 001, 002, along with their name, a column for the reply section Yes or No. Now put the number you assigned to each guest on the back of the response card, then when a return comes back with missing information, just check the back of the card and that’s your mystery guest. Don’t sweat the small stuff – Weddings are stressful enough!
Make It Easy On Yourself When Sending Invitations
When addressing your wedding or party invitation envelopes, address your thank you note envelopes at the same time. When your party is over or after you return from your honeymoon you will be one step ahead by having them ready to go. This can also be done if you are preparing a bridal or baby shower for someone, address the envelopes of the invitations you are sending and then prepare thank you notes with the envelopes for the bride or mother- to- be, this way they too will be ready to send after the event. A thank you note should be sent out in a timely manner. Easy does it!
Hostess Gifts – A Great Way To Say Thank You
Are you invited to someone’s house for dinner, or a party……you could bring a bottle of wine, a box of candy, flowers or you could give your hostess personalized notes to show your appreciation.
Party Favors – Add That Personal Touch
Your table is set in all its finery. The linens, crystal and china look great. Perhaps you have a beautiful bouquet of flowers in the center of the table. Candles are nestled in their holders ready to be lit upon the arrival of your guests. To complete your table and theme of your dinner party a set of hand painted cards personalized with each guests name resting by their place setting will elegantly complete the table you have set.
Articles by Jackie Coote of Impressions by Jackie
Also view Jacqueline Coote's Articles at www.ezinearticles.com
Teaching The Young Etiquette
The word "etiquette" sounds old fashioned and it is one you do not hear very often. We learn very early what is right or wrong, how to properly treat and respect others, even the proper way to use utencils at the table. Ettiquette also teaches us how to be appreciate others and be thankful if someone does something for us. Etiquette says we should thank them for their efforts. Children learn early in life what's proper and it's hoped they foll
ow through all their adult lives.
Survival Kit When Planning A Party
When you go camping, hiking or taking long excursions, you usually prepare a bag with food, water, medical supplies, rain and cold protective gear, emergency flares, etc. It’s a chore getting things organized for a long trip. There are different types of survival kits.. the one I am speaking of is the survival of our well being. There are so many problems that cross our paths on a daily basis and we take it to heart when trying to solve them. We get ourselves all tied up in knots and worry ourselves and sometimes the people around us that we don’t realize the consequences of it all. We need to do things that make our life simpler and not worry about a lot of the fanfare that is necessary to complete a project. We worry about what people will think if we do or say something that is not to their liking. Everything has to be perfect – yes to some extent. To survive the hassles of planning a function or event we have to look at what makes it easier on ourselves. People feel that they have to keep up with others to make it a complete success. Do what you feel is right and comfortable and everything will fall into place.
Blogs: Express Yourself Through Art - www.jackie165.expressyourself.blogger.com
It's Not Easy Being Green - www.jackie165.green.blogger.com
A Smile Goes A long Way - www.jackie165.smile@blogger.com
Keeping The Lines of Communication Open - www.jackie165.keeping@blogger.com
Taking The Time - www.jackie165.takingtime@blogger.com
HOLIDAYS ARE STRESSFUL
Holidays are definitely stressful, but they don't need to be. I think we bring it upon ourselves. There is so much do to, that we feel it all has to be done in the month of December. The stores are open all year so why can't we start shopping in October for the Holiday. If you purchased wrapping paper at the end of the holiday season last year, you are ready to start wrapping. Make a list of what you bought for each person, put them in a large plastic bag and hide them in the attic.
What about those holiday cards. Is there a law that says they have to be written out in December. Some people write them out two days before the holiday. Why not start just after Thanksgiving, by sitting in front of the TV (there is nothing good on anyway) and start writing out those holiday cards. You can take your time, write a little note at the bottom of each card, address the envelopes and put stamps on them at your leisure.
What about those holiday cookies and goodies. Most of them can be prepared ahead of time, put in plastic wear and frozen. Need to make hor's deuvres for the holidays, they can be made up ahead of time and frozen. Aren't they frozen in the stores and all you have to do is pop them in the hot oven.
Decorating the house is another stressful event. Some people start decorating the 1st of December..........it's up to the individual as to when they go up and when they come down. Your table can be set a few days before and decorated to your heart's content.
Life is stressful enough without getting "nutsy" for the holiday. After all, what is the holiday all about? We somehow forget what we are celebrating and for whom we are decorating and preparing for. It's all a big hype in the retail world , but we must remember what we are preparing for............and for what we should be thankful for.
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday......be stress free, be thankful, be happy! Enjoy your holiday, your friends and most of all your family.
SHAKE THOSE POST HOLIDAY SLUMPS
- It can be a real let down after the hussle and bussle of getting prepared for the holiday. First you decorate, then you take everything down in half the time it took you to put it up. You are cookied out (do not know if there is such a word), but you know what I mean. You can't eat another thing and now you are thinking of going on a diet. I know I am......boy those Magic Cookie Bars are a killer. We need to de-stress ourselves. It is too cold to walk, but believe me if you just jump up and down or turn on your stereo and dance for at least 10 minutes a day, you will feel invigorated. Read a good book, knit something for a grandchild or perhaps if you like to paint like me, but haven't done it in a while, take out that paintbrush and express yourself through your art. Hopefully the winter will pass quickly for you and before you know it you will be outside in your gardens, planting, mowing, weeding, catching poison ivy (again) and just taking in that wonderful warm sun. Good Luck to you.....I know I will need it too!
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