The Printable Party

Ok, so if you don't know about the phenomenon that is the Printable Party, you will by the time you're done reading this post. If you're like me, you love the look of a perfectly coordinated party; where the wine tags match the food labels, and the menu, and the invitation. I could go on and on. And if you're like me, you have the know how to make this happen all on your own, but have absolutely no desire to sit at the computer for hours designing the perfect Damask pattern for your housewarming. Enter the awesome world of the Printable Party. I stumbled across them while looking for something else on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/). I know the idea isn't new, but you really can't beat the convenience.


Here's how it works:


Different graphic artists create Printable Party packs with menu cards, invitations, table decor, napkin rings, etc, in a certain theme or pattern. They price the Party depending on the amount of pieces included (usually between $5 and $10)


You buy the Printable Party, the seller emails you a PDF file, you print it out, cut it out and glue/tape the pieces together.


That's it!


You end up with a far more seamless design than if you simply coordinated the color scheme, and you get to keep the file they send you indefinitely so you can use it whenever you like. I particularly like the designs from the Paper & Cake shop on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperandcake). They have excellent customer service and show their appreciation by sending the occasional free printable party to their loyal customers. Talk about an incentive to throw your next party right?!


The only thing they ask is that you don't distribute the files to everyone in the known universe. They're counting on a bit of honesty here and really, for under $10 can't most of our friends afford their own? I think so. I'm pretty sure if this honesty policy doesn't work out they will eventually impose a time limit on the accessibility of the file. I certainly don't want that, and I'm sure neither do you. So lets do our part and pass along the info of where to find this awesome little treasure, but please, keep your little folder full of printable parties to yourself :)

Check this little gem out, you will not be disappointed and neither will your guests!

Here I Am!

Well I've been threatening to start a blog for quite a while now and have put it off for countless reasons; none of them valid. So here I am, finally. I am not quite sure how everything works or where I will find the time to write but I guess we all have to start somewhere right?

When thinking of a title for this blog it came to mind that I've been called (more times than I can count) "The Perpetual Hostess". It seems that I have always found myself in the role of hostess. From my early days, wearing a sombrero and hosting taco nights for the family at the age of 9, to the present where I work as a Catering Sales Manager by day, and plan the next big party at home by night. I know that Perpetual has a kind of negative connotation, but I don't think of it that way at all. In fact I think it's the perfect explanation of how I manage to find myself in the hostess role without any actual planning, volunteering, or elections. Parties make people happy. I like to make people happy. It's as simple as that.

So here is where I'll write about all things entertaining, and if sometimes the stray cute picture of my dog Bear make it on here, then so be it. He's very entertaining after all :)

xo
H