Homemade DIY Christmas Party Invitations

Homemade Christmas party invitations make a great, personalized touch to any Christmas party. And, let's face it, times are tight and everyone is looking for ways to save money for the holiday season. But saving money is not the only reason to go DIY. Homemade Christmas party invitations are a fun craft project that will help you get into the holiday spirit.

Step 1:

Let's start with the paper. The Papermill Store sells high-quality card stock with matching envelopes specially constructed to make great homemade Christmas party invitations. A set of 250 will run you about $85. If you throw an annual party, this supply can last several years.

However, if you want to save this investment for when the economy gets better, consider making your homemade Christmas party invitations from poster board. You can find poster board at places like Target or even Wal-Mart for around $1 a sheet. Look for Christmas colors. Red and green are harder to find, but they always have white.

Cut the paper into the right size for homemade Christmas cards. Size is really up to you, but I would stick to traditional square or rectangle shapes. Anything more creative is going to create problems when it comes to envelope construction. If you are handing out these invitations personally, you don't have to worry about envelopes. However, if you plan on mailing them, mailed, check out The DIY Network for patterns and instructions. I suggest making them out of heavy weight wrapping paper that can stand up to the mail system. Metallic colored paper makes a good choice.

Step 2:

Make sure that your homemade Christmas party invitations include all the relevant information: the place, the time, the attire, and who's throwing it. How you put the information on your homemade Christmas party invitation is up to you. If you are good at calligraphy, write the information in gold or silver pen (which you can get at your local craft store).

If your script is not so great, consider typing the information into the computer. You can include family photos and use interesting fonts. Be sure to use high quality paper and print an appropriate number. Cut them out so that when they are glued onto the card stock, you're left with a border.

Step 3:

Decorate the invitation. Some people like simplicity when it comes to their homemade Christmas party invitations. In that case, just stuff them in the envelopes and address them. But for more festive homemade Christmas party invitations, head to your local craft stores and look for fun Christmas stickers, felt reindeer and snowmen or anything that you would like to include on the border of your invitation.

For a nice DIY touch, consider making your own designs (Christmas trees or mistletoe, etc.) out of felt or construction paper. For a Christmas tree design, simply draw a Christmas tree shape in green and cut it out. Then cut out little circles in your red felt or construction paper and glue them on to your Christmas tree. Include a little yellow star on the top. You can affix these anywhere on your card invitation that does not obscure the print. Or, place them on the envelope in a place that won't get in the way of stamps or addresses.