Halloween 2010: The Invitations are Ordered!

As part of my [hopefully] well thought out plan, I've already put together and ordered my invitations for the  event.  Using the awesome site, VistaPrint, I created the invitations, reminder cards (think reverse "save the date" cards,) return address labels and door prize chances.

We're almost at the Three Month mark as for time left until the party in October.  By ordering them now, I have a safe cushion to be able to receive the order (which was already shipped!) and send them all out just before the Two Month mark.  The reminder cards will go out around the One Month mark so that no one forgets, and if anyone's calendar opens up, then they know they can still come.

I've formatted the designs to share with you, with some minor adjustments to hide some personal information ;)

These are what I really spent any money on.  VistaPrint had a special going on that you could get 10 personalized invites for free, but I knew I would need more than that!  So I ordered 50, which cost about $25 with a full color back and a glossy front for about an extra $5 for the two options.  I chose this design because it matched my personality and occasion the best (although you do have the option to upload your own design.  I wasn't feel up to that though!)  Although these cards are kind of small, I was still able to write a whole message on the back to my potential guests.

In the past, I never wanted to send out the invitations too early for fear of people eventually forgetting about us.  By doing so, though, some people already had plans for that weekend!  So this year, I solved that problem with these babies.  The reminder cards were created on postcards (with blank backs.) I was able to get 100 of these for only $2.49!!  They were on special for 90% off.  Now, I won't need all of them, but that was the lowest amount I could get.

I tried to go with a theme for my materials without having to do too much altering.  These were actually the first items in my cart.  They're cute and simple and perfect for the occasion.  I got 140 of these for FREE!!  This works out great for me; I'll be able to use them for both the invites and the reminders.  Awesome.

Vista also had a special where I could create 250 premium business cards for FREE.  We've always done costume contests at our Halloween parties and gave out door prizes at a few too.  So why not do it this year?  Originally, I had "2010" on there, but since I got 250 in the bundle, I thought it best to take the year off the card and keep the leftovers around to use in the future.  This is an experiment; it's always just as fun to see who actually remembers these things.  It may just end up being, "The one person who remembers this card wins!"

I completed this order on the 14th, and they were shipped yesterday, the 16th!  I had originally planned on getting the cheapest shipping, which would have been the 21 day shipping, but I got offered FREE 14 day shipping.  WOO!  I can't wait to see the order when it gets here!

What do you think about these items?

Do you have another site or method you use for this type of stuff?

Prefer to do it all by hand?  Let me know!