Yes, it's true. We have invitations from Paper Passionista for all of the once-in-a-lifetime celebrations you might be involved in planning long before a wedding ever enters the picture in your life (or the life of your son or daughter). Whether Sweet 16, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, or a Quinceanera celebration, you can find invitations and response cards, printed napkins, table cards, party favors, personalized fans, and many other themed or personalized celebration items to put just the right touches on your special event.
While most parents see the events that also hold deep religious meaning, as with the Quinceaneras and the Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, as beng something they are not willing to forego even in challenging economic times, there are many ways we can work with you to get the best value for your investment. We know this is a time you want to celebrate with all your family and friends, so events such as this can sometimes have guest lists even larger than a wedding. The current issue of Stationery Trends magazine, available only to the trade, had an article with some ideas that I thought would be good to share since you wouldn't have had access to them:
Robin Beth of Robin Beth Designs says, "I'm seeing a lot more postcard reply cards and flat printed direction cards instead of letterpress printed. Some customers do one style of invitation for family and a more economical invitation for the child's friends."
Place cards in multi colors to follow a color scheme
You will find that some decorative items can serve multiple purposes, according to Margaret Nelson of The Occasions Group. "For example, table and place cards can enhance traffic flow and bring the event's theme or color to the reception tables." Paper Passionista works with you to figure out how these items fit in with your budget, and will show you a range of style options so you get something you're comfortable with.
When planning an event that involves your teenager's entrance into the adult world he or she may want to participate in the selection process. We welcome that and try to make this fun for both of you. Don't be surprised if your teen has some different ideas than yours about what they like. We deal with this all the time and will happily work as the intermediary to come up with something that expresses your teen's style without forgetting your likes and budget. Since teen's often want to stick with trends of their peers, here are a few trends from national stationery experts you might find helpful:
Popular pink and orange color scheme from bt elements
Pink and red color combo by bt elements
"Colors are tending to be more intense and dramatic, but still range across the rainbow. It is more about the shade of a particular color (lime or grass green, aqua or royal blue) than about a limited selection. We're also seeing patterns like animal prints, damask or vintage evolve with new color spins." Margaret Nelson, The Occasion Group
Contemporary Bat Mitzvah invitation in blues by bt elements
"Trends in Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitations change as quickly as trends in other tween/teen markets, but bright fuchsia and orange, orange and gray and violet and gray are all trendy color combinations that we've used recently."
Robin Beth, Robin Beth Designs
"The peace sign is back, as are graphic bold patterns and color combinations. I do find that parents don't end up buying these invitations that often, but the kids like them a lot." Christine Rothenberg, The Paper Doll
When your teen wants to use a theme for their party that makes things fun and really allows them a chance to show a bit of who they are and what they like. We've worked with themes such as magic and cabaret, down to just a color scheme. How about a Parisian Sweet 16? Themes allow a teen's (or your) creativity to come out and really help you focus on your options. They can come from your teen's hobbies or talents, a color scheme (Pretty in Pink), or movies and music.
