Email Thank Yous

Should you send a thank you via email, text, twitter (ouch, that hurt to write) or handwritten note?  Let's go out of order and start with Twitter.  I LOVE twitter for it's main purpose:  to keep followers informed of what you/your company is up to.  Perfect!  Easy to use!  It is NOT for sending thank yous.  To anyone, ever.

Next, text.  I love text messaging for it's main purpose:  to find out where your husband and kids are after you split up at the beach or shopping mall.  Or to let someone know you are a few minutes away.  Not necessarily phone call worthy - just a short line will do.  "Be right there..."  It is NOT for sending thank yous.  These type of thank yous take not effort and you don't even have to think about it.

Email.  Well, plenty of people do it and I guess some would say it is okay for certain things, and I have to agree.  My friend picked my daughter up from camp today and dropped her off at home so that we weren't polluting the earth with two cars going to the same place.  Perfect.  Send an email thank you.  This type of kind gesture doesn't demand a hand written note.  There are a whole host of perfectly acceptable situations that allow you to send an email thank you. 

Hand Written Note.  When should you send a hand written note?  A nice dinner, a very nice gesture, flowers, someone goes above and beyond, an interview.  When you need to show that you care, you truly appreciate the generosity or someone has done something very nice and thoughtful.  A handwritten note shows that you are touched and that you truly care about what they did for you.

What to Include on an Invitation

When inviting people to a party that you are hosting, there are certain pieces of information that you should give them.  Some of the information is obvious, such as when and where.  But you would be surprised as to how many people do NOT let their guests know whether they are serving food or not.  The guests are left with the question, "should I eat before I go, or not.  If not, will there be time to eat after the party ends?"

Here is a simple list of the minimum information to include, in about this order:

1.  Why:  why are you throwing this party?  Just for fun, for a birthday, a get together, etc.  Just say so!
2.  When:  give the date right away so it is obvious and the guest doesn't have to hunt for the date.
3.  What time:  again, right away under the date so it is easy to find.
4.  Where:  give as many details as necessary.  If the guests know where your house is and are very familiar with it, just list the address or say at Susan & Jim's house.  If they need reminding or it is at a different location, give as many details as necessary so they can easily find it.
5.  What are you serving:  This is a big one!  I can't tell you how many times I have been invited to an event or party and wondered what I should do about food.  It is also a biggy for the kid's events since they absolutely have to eat.  Let the guests know if there are food, appetizers, just drinks, dinner, lunch.  Spell it out!
6.  RSVP:  I know some people don't do this, and I am baffled as to why.  RSVP are simple initials for the french phrase, répondez s'il vous plaît, that means please respond.  Give them a date to respond by and if they don't, it is okay to call or email them to ask if they will be attending.
7.  Other Info:  Save any other information that is pertinent, such as where someone is registered, for the bottom of the invite.

Ice Cream Drawing

My daughter asked if she could draw an ice cream cone for my website.  Sometimes the three of us (my 2 daughters and I) draw together and I am usually drawing something for a new product.  This is Katie's creation - one of her favorite flavors:  mint chocolate chip.  One of mine, too!  Nice work, Katie!

Handmade Evolution

Below is a wonderful write up that I received from Amy at Handmade Evolution.  Her fantastic blog is all about fashion, decor and all other things handmade.  It's really beautiful!

Very Inviting!

March 19, 2010

I got word of a new shop that I had to share! Susan at Very Inviting Paper creates hand drawn and watercolored cards and invitations in her California studio. Check out her shop for playful party invitations, personalized note cards, and more. We’re glad to see that Very Inviting ships to the US, Canada as well as internationally!

Bright, Bold and Beautiful Blog

Laura Trevey of Bright, Bold, and Beautiful was kind enough to mention Very Inviting Paper in her blog a couple of weeks ago.  Thank you, Laura!

Paper Crave

Below is the write up that I received from the lovely blog, Paper Crave:

Very Inviting Paper

March 17th, 2010

I’m really enjoying the collection of cards and invitations from newly opened paper shop, Very Inviting Paper. They create note cards and invitations for all sorts of occasions — wedding, kids and baby, and everyday note cards, most of which can be personalized for you. Many of the paper goods in the Very Inviting Paper line feature fun illustrations that have been hand drawn and watercolored by Susan, the shop’s owner. Here are just a few of my favorites:

images from Very Inviting Paper

New for Spring

Take a look at the new items for Spring and Summer!  Gift tags, invitations, note cards, and note pads with a ribbon across the card, bright flowers, and everything is personalized.  Green and pink, orange and yellow, pink and orange, and pink and yellow.  Fun!