Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Easy Party Invitations

By Melissa Massello, July 1, 2010

Beautiful weather makes summer the perfect time to host get-togethers: from pool parties to backyard barbecues, hanging out with friends and family al fresco is the perfect atmosphere for entertaining.

Everyone loves a good party, but people can be flaky these days when it comes to RSVPs: Facebook events and Evites just don’t cut it anymore if you’re a host with serious plans for summer fun! So, check out these six amazing resources for cute and inexpensive invitations to ensure everyone gets the message.

Paperless Post is a brand new website that allows you to send digital invitations, save-the-date cards, thank yous, and announcements that look just like the real thing. These classy cards come with a digital envelope that you “open” by clicking. Because no printing is required, the costs are extremely low. As a plus, digital delivery is more eco-friendly than snail mail, and your guests will appreciate the personalization they find in their inboxes. There are plenty of posh designs to choose from, or you can customize Paperless Post cards with your own words, photos, logos, and even monograms!

Jack Cards takes the work out of sending invitations. You’ll never miss the opportunity to send a thoughtful birthday, anniversary, or thank-you card again: Jack Cards allows you to sit down once and take care of your entire calendar year’s worth of cards. Select dates, family members, and friends, then pick your favorite corresponding cards and occasions from the extensive, eclectic, and affordable online store. Designers include Naughty Betty, Porn for Women, and J&M Martinez, just to name a few. Jack Cards then sends the invitations and announcements in the mail for you at the appropriate times of year, saving you time and lots of stamp-licking. (Ahem, lest we forget poor Susan on Seinfeld?)

Pingg is another digital invitation-sending site, but with some unique features. Membership to Pingg is free, and you can send free online invitations by email using their selection of stock images or by uploading your own. (You can also share them via Facebook or Twitter!) Schedule reminder messages, collect money to buy food, and send follow-up thank you’s after the event. Pingg also offers a premium paid membership that offers extra features, like ad-free invitations and digital envolopes.

MyPunchbowl guides you with every step of the party planning process, from deciding who should bring what for a potluck supper, to sending themed invitations and finding vendors for your son’s Toy Story birthday party. MyPunchbowl’s free service also lets you share your party information on Facebook and Twitter, and the daily post, Today’s Reason to Celebrate, ensures you never miss another Hamburger Day or National Ice Cream Month again.

Anyvite provides tech-savy electronic invite services with mobile and Twitter integration, easy address book uploading (don’t forget to invite your college roommate!), and free pre-made invitation themes. With a premium paid membership, Anyvite offers more options for customizing your invitations and event website, including custom domain names and tracking analytics.

Etsy is always a great resource for unique, independent — even eco-friendly or hand-made — items, especially for printable custom invitations. Roxter Designs has an adorable BBQ invitation, which you can customize with your own text and then print on your photo printer. TomKat Studio‘s nautical crab designs are perfect for 4th of July celebrations, clambakes, and Labor Day festivities., and Hannahcloud‘s retro invites are sure to make a splash at any pool party. Search “invitations” on Etsy.com to find your favorites — even refine your search by your city or state to support local invitation designers near you. Who knows, you might even end up inviting them to the party!