Unique Fun DIY Christmas Party Invitations

Each year my spouse and I host a family Christmas party. Both sides of our families get together for dinner, games, and to watch a classic Christmas movie. The best part of planning out the Christmas party are the invitations. Anyone can hand out store bought party invitations, but I like to send out unique invitations, something no one has seen before, and so far they been a hit.

Invitation 1: Christmas Music CD

The Christmas music CD invitation doubles as an invite to your party, and a small gift of music. The items you will need are: Blank writable CD's, cd shell covers, and a printer. If you do not have a CD burner, you can ask someone in your family to burn the CD's for you.

The first thing you would need to do, is download Christmas music onto your computer. In general, music download sites charge for songs, but some do have a free trial period where you are not charged for downloads. You can also purchase a music card at any retail store for $5 to download music at the designated website. If your party guest list is ten people, simply burn ten Cd's of Christmas music with various artists. For the cover of the CD, design it with a Christmas theme, and write the words (name) Christmas Party, date, and time. These music invitations can be hand delivered, or mailed out with the post office.

Invitation 2: Fortune Cookie

This invitation is an edible fortune cookie, with the fortune being the invitation. Below I listed the recipe for fortune cookies, do not get discouraged if the first few do not turn out. For the fortune, cut out strips of paper in the size of 3 inches by 1 inch, write down the words you're invited, date and time of the party. Once the cookie is cooled, you can dip the ends in white melted chocolate, and decorate with red and green sprinkles.

Fortune Cookie Recipe:

1 C all purpose flour
2 T cornstarch
½ C sugar
½ t salt
½ C Vegetable oil
½ C egg whites (whites of about 4 large eggs)
1 T water
2 T vanilla

Cut or fold the paper so it is approximately 1" x 3" in size, write on the paper: You're invited, date and time.

Mix all the dry ingredients, add oil, egg whites, beat until smooth, then beat in water and vanilla.

Drop 1/3 C of batter onto a greased baking sheet and spread evenly into a 10 inch circle. Bake two at a time in a 300 degree oven for approximately 14 minutes or until light golden brown. Note* If cookies are under baked, they will tear during shaping.

Place on your hand a cotton glove as cookies will be extremely warm to touch. Using a wide spatula, remove one cookie at a time from oven. Working quickly, flip it onto a your hand, place fortune in center of cookie and fold it in half, but do not crease it. Next, fold the two ends towards each other and hold for a minute or two while it hardens. Repeat until all the batter is used. This recipe will makes 6 large fortune cookies.

Invitation 3: Christmas Cracker

This is a fun Christmas party invitation that you can make and fill with your invitation, and other goodies. The link to detailed instructions can be found at www.christmas-crackers-usa.com/make-your-own-crackers.htm. Once you have made your Christmas cracker, insert the invitation, confetti, or candy, and hand them out to your people on your party guest list.

These are a few unique Christmas party invitations that I have handed out over the years that have been a hit with friends and family. For your Christmas party invitations, give one or all a try, if not, I hope they give you some unique ideas for creating your own Christmas invitations.