The modern party invitation
 If you’re planning a party this holiday season, you’ll want to get the word out -- but with so many different way to communicate, what works best?
Karen Garscadden, Event Director for Toronto-based Up & Coming Events Inc., recommends the old-fashioned invite – coupled with the use of modern technology -- for a killer combination.
Double duty
Although it may be tempting to fire off an invite via email because it’s the quickest, most efficient way to get the word out, Garscadden says snail mail still has its charm. “When it comes to social invitations there is still something special about receiving a personally addressed envelope,” says Garscadden. “The anticipation of opening an invitation or package creates a special feeling -- versus opening a string of email letters at your office desk.” She recommends using both methods to get maximum exposure for your event. “An email blast to "save the date" is a common practice, to get the word out, but a formal invitation is a nice follow-up,” she says. “The invitation may also be followed up with an email regarding food preferences, overnight accommodations, taxi chits, etc.”
At home versus the office
Whether you’re planning an event for friends and family, or for your co-workers, can make a difference on how you should approach it, according to Garscadden. “It is especially nice to send the invitation for a social event to the recipient’s home, if it is to be a ‘couple’ invitation -- although some may say ‘what happens at the office, should stay at the office,’” she said. “Now this (also) depends on the size of the business or guest list, sometimes this method is just not practical.”
Gascadden says Evite, a website that allows you to design an interactive online invitation for free and email the link to your friends, can be a fun alternative -- if it fits the tone of the party.
“It really depends on the type of event, and who the invitation is coming from,” she said.
“If it's a casual "meet us at a bar" for a holiday cheer, then it would be OK, but for an official holiday party, I think something more personal would be suitable.”
To Facebook or not to Facebook
Facebook, the newest mainstream social networking tool, can be used to create an event, list details and invite other members of the site to partake. But Garscadden says the limited scope of the site paired with possible privacy issues gets it the thumbs-down as an effective medium. “You can't really be sure your whole guest list would be on Facebook,” she says.
“Personally I find Facebook a bit too invasive -- and some people may not want other people to know their ‘calendar of events.’” Garscadden’s final verdict -- paper invites sent via mail, or delivered in person, add a personal touch that’s difficult to match in the electronic world.
But if you want to cut down on waste, or don’t have the time to make elaborate invites, a properly designed invite by email would fit the modern bill.
http://www.upandcomingeventsinc.com/
- Nicole Tomlinson
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