Invites and Thank Yous

I apologize for my lengthy time of blog construction. Background issues in blogging are so much more challenging than I expected them to be! Anyway, we can now get back to our series on being classic in a modern world. We just started talking about planning classic parties. We discussed the preparation stages prior to having a party already. Today we are talking about invites and thank yous. We are covering how to decide how many and who to invite to each different kind of party.

First you must decide how big a party you would like to have. Below is a basic estimate of how many people WILL attend for each type of party.

 BBQ/ Outdoor Parties- 2-4 families (approx 4-15 people)
Tea Parties- 4-6 people
Home Sales Parties-8-10 people
Small Cocktail Parties- 10-15 people
Small Dinner Parties- 4- 8 people
Children's Parties- 5-8 kids (approx 15 in total)
Milestone Parties 20-100 people (depending on milestone)
Anniversary Parties- 8- 20 people (unless a milestone, see above)
Formal Parties- 25-150 people
Wedding Receptions- 100-500 people (not as in some places)


After getting a general idea of how many people you would like to attend you party, you have to prepare to send invites. Unfortunately purchasing invites will be more costly than thank yous. This is because you need to send about double the amount of invites as people you would like to come. This is true for almost every kind of party except perhaps the ones that you are only inviting the closest of friends or family. (Such as tea parties, some children's parties, and BBQs.)

Invites should fit the formality and size of the event. Classically paper invites are the only way to go. However in modern times, even a classy lady can do internet based invited for home sales parties and informal get-togethers. This does not apply to weddings or any other more formal event!

Thank you notes follow by similar rules. Paper is best for any sort of gift. A simple internet thank you may be fine for thanking guests for coming to an informal event.

I rather enjoy the creativity that looking for, designing, and writing invites and thank yous provides. I have provided a link below to one of my favorite companies to purchase invitations and thank yous for children's parties. It is an affiliate link, but everything I say about companies is true and honest opinions of mine. I like support companies I already love!

Frosty and I are Cool Like That

I realize I have been gone for a long time! I am so sorry about it too. At the end of October my family and I moved. During the move we had no internet. In fact, I wont have any until the beginning of the new year. At that time I will be back with a vengeance! However, I did make a promise for a post this month that I intend to keep.

At the beginning of the month I was contacted by a very sweet couple. Cameron Von St. James and his my wife Heather asked me to share a simple post of something I am thankful for especially at this time of year. Heather is an 8-year survivor of mesothelioma and she makes it a part of her life to stay thankful, especially for their daughter.

If you would like a little more about their story, you can check it out here.

I realize I have so much to be thankful for. In November I discussed several different things that I am thankful for. I have been blessed with a fantastic husband, two great kids, and a loving extended family on both sides. I'm also blessed to have a comfortable place to live, be employed, and be capable of living this life I love.

Today, I wish to share my thankfulness to YOU, my readers. You have been patient during my absence and fantastic over the past year. I look forward to sharing all the recent changes with you all. I  also look forward to catching up with what's been going on in your life. Thank you for being a part of my life. Thank you for dealing with my whining, pouting, and rants. Thank you for all the encouragement you have provided to me. I now know how much I need you and this blog to stay sane! So, like Frosty, I will be back again soon!


I hope you find something to be thankful this holiday season. I hope you had a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dear Andrew

Dear Andrew,

It’s hard to write a thank you letter to you without it becoming a mushy love letter. So, I will make every effort to keep the extra mushiness down.

 

You rescued me from myself when you came into my life. You truly are my knight in shining armor. Thank you for being patient with me and understanding of my healing wounds. Thank you for never pushing me and always respecting my boundaries. Very few men have the character you do.

Thank you for accepting me with all that includes. You took on my debt, medical fragility, and emotional wounds. You deserve so much more credit than I give you. Thank you for living with me and loving me every day. Thank you for keeping your cool when I blow up. Thank you for supporting my interests and passions (like this blog).

You work hard to keep things together when life gets stressful. You’re working hard to become a good father and husband. The kids adore you and Benjamin especially, looks up to you. (Literally and figuratively. Haha!)

You gave up a comfortable life and many future plans to have a family with me. I love you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dear Mom

The deep dark hole of an internet-less apartment can nearly drive someone into insanity. My heart is broken over all the missed posts and glorious time on Pinterest. However, life must go on. The theme for this month is "A Thankful Heart is a Happy Heart". I won't lie, I borrowed this title from a VeggieTales movie. November is a perfect time to be reminded how blessed we are. Its also a good opportunity to thank those who have blessed us! I plan to write letter of thanks each post this month. Each letter will be addressed to a person, company, or organization that has blessed me.

All that being said, I want to start this month of with a letter to the most important and influential woman in my life. I have her to thank for so much. Without further ado...

Dear Mom,
There is no other person on Earth who has the impact you have had on my life. Thank you for giving up dreams and plans to raise me I know how big a thing it is to have a baby now.You gave me the world view that keeps me grounded, strong, and hardworking. Thank you for all the skills that you instilled in me. From cooking and housekeeping to multitasking and critical thinking, you made me the woman I am today. Thank you for being an example of helping others and building strong relationships. I have learned how to lead others, give selflessly, and nurture those around me, all from you. Even today, I look at you as an example of those things. You are a picture of overcoming insurmountable obstacles and challenges. I only wish I was more like you in that area. Thank you for giving me a love for others and a strong background of tradition. I know you worry sometimes about my desire for self perfection, but you are quite the example to live up to. On behalf of all those lives you have blessed, thank you. I love you so much.

I could have spent all day writing things I'm thankful to my mother for, but I spared you all the crazy stories and personal details!

I have some fun to share with you on the next post, so be on the look out. (Think GIVEAWAY)

30 Before 30: Nineteen

19. Write a letter to every major person who influenced my life and thank them.

That would be a long list. I might do a few in November that I will post on the blog. However, I'd really like to give each one a handwritten copy. There is something truly special about handwritten letters.

On another note, I am taking entries for people interested in doing guest post over the next two months!

 This month's theme is obviously "30 things to do before 30". I would love for someone to share their goals and ideas for before a milestone birthday. Next month's theme is not titled yet. We will be discussing and considering methods and ideas for self exploration and discovery. Basically, getting to know yourself!

If you are interested in joining me for either topic OR for future adventures, please contact me. I can't wait to have some wonderful guests!

Day 22: Nothing Special

First off, to my unnamed reader friend: You have encouraged me. You have lifted my spirits and gave me hope that there are people out there who read and even enjoy my daily rambling and unusual tidbits. Thank you for being who you are!

Second, do you know what today is? No, well let me tell you. Today makes only 12 days left until the day we celebrate that Gorgeousness was born (that's me). Haha. It hit me today how very close my birthday is. Over the past few years I have had several birthday fails, so I have high hopes of this year. Still, I believe I am grounded because I will be teaching children's church and making a few hour trip that day. I can only expect so much out of the day!

My Day

We did very little today. Grocery shopping, movies, a little playing... the usual. It was supposed to be craft day, but things got in a tangle and that never really happened. We did however build a Lego train and have a great time doing that.

We also watched a Lego a movie... Mommy is all Lego'd out!

Looking Forward

Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day for everyone in my family. We have an appointment in the morning, we going bowling in the afternoon, and I am going out with friends in the evening. I will be lucky if I get to post tomorrow.

Remember to enter for the great earring giveaway- here.  You can find all the rules and information you need there. I love doing these giveaways, but you have to enter to win!