Christmas Letters

When Christmastime rolls around, I always get slightly shocked at how many Christmas cards and letters can fit in my tiny mailbox. I enjoy hanging the cards up after reading them and posting annual Christmas newsletters onto my refrigerator. Overall I think it adds to the cheery holiday experience.

I especially enjoy receiving newsletters from my family members who live in other parts of the county and other parts of the world. Whereas some people send two or three page letters with less-than-appreciated information, my family tends to know what events are newsletter-worthy. They end up selecting a great Christmas letterhead, add a paragraph or two containing any major events, and the rest is all pictures with short, amusing captions. It makes for an entertaining read, although some of the pictures do make me long to be with them for the holidays!

Scrapbooking: More Than a Hobby

Today scrapbooking is often viewed as being a hobby meant for people (the majority being women) who simply desire a creative outlet. Too often there is a failure to realize the significance of such an activity. A scrapbook contains pieces of its creator’s history that were thought valuable enough to be preserved, to be treasured and remembered.
Human beings have forever battled the unstoppable force of time by attempting to preserve moments of their lives. Early man painted on cavern walls, ancient civilizations erected structures and carved sculptures and etched tablets to create something that could last beyond their finite existence. The method of saving “scraps” of memories has been used for centuries, even Aristotle was said to have formed some sort of scrapbook. In the history of the United States, many historical men were devoted to their scrapbooking hobbies, from Thomas Jefferson to Mark Twain. Their purpose was to create something much like a personal history book that they could store records of their achievements to be looked back on in the future.

Today thousands of people enjoy creating scrapbooks, and there are many different methods and resources with which to create them. The purpose is not for the sheer enjoyment of putting together a pleasing photo album or of being creative for creativity’s sake. The real purpose stems from the same desires our ancestors had; to preserve some of the precious moments of our fleeting lives. We wish to hold on to the way our children looked at different ages, to remember a special holiday event we went to with friends, or birthday parties or graduation ceremonies. A scrapbook becomes to us a personal collection of memories and a way to share them with the people that we love.

Grad Parties: Plan Early!

Graduation marks a huge achievement in a person’s life, and is something worth celebrating. When planning a graduation party, it is vital that you think ahead. The thing people tend to forget is that grad season is a busy time of year; not just one person is graduating, but hundreds at the same time! It is so important to start planning as early as possible. Once you have decided on a date for your event, send out the invitations and announcements on a graduation letterhead. Doing this early may prevent your guests from making previous engagements, as often happens around this particular time. Along the same note, remember to make reservations early if you plan your even at a restaurant or venue. Congratulations to the graduate in your life!

Designing Your Wedding Invitations

Many people balk at the idea of designing their own wedding invitations. However, if your goal is to present an invitation that emanates your personality, the best way to ensure that the invitations your guests will receive is a reflection of you is to design  them yourself.
There are several ways to go about putting your design onto paper, whether you take your design to a specialty paper or printing business or enlist the help of an artistic friend.

Whatever you choose, the first step is to come up with an idea of how you want your invitations to look. As you plan, remember that you can put as many personal touches as you wish into the design.  After formulating the plan, plot out your ideas on paper. A simple sketch on a napkin will do, it doesn’t have to be elaborate or even artistic. The point is to be able to see on paper the ideas you have in your head so that you can organize them. For instance; you may draw a rectangle with the words you want in the general places you want them, as well as notations for whatever embellishments you wish the finished product to have. A bow in this corner, a transparent “frosted” paper over the background card-like paper, an embossed border.

The next step depends on how you decide to print the invitations. There are several companies that not only sell specialty paper but will print them as well. You can also buy the types of paper you want and print and assemble them yourself.

With thousands of resources available, there is no reason that you can’t send out a wedding invitation that is everything you want it to be.

Letterhead and Beyond

Hopefully you’re not thinking just about your letterhead when you are thinking of revitalizing your business.  Your letterhead is one of those small things that can make a very big difference, but why stop there?  Your company could contact a local designer or maybe add matching business cards, brochures, etc.

In this same vibe one might consider designer invitation paper as a way to further your line.  Invitations the old fashioned way still mean the most and this is yet another great way to get in touch with your client base.  Plenty of resources are made available online to spark ideas, but before purchasing anything do remember to check the quality of the paper.

The possibilities are literally endless out there and no matter what event you have coming up in the near future there is a great design invitation paper available.  Taking the time to go the extra step always pays off in the end and has the potential to turn “good” into “great.”

Avoid Cookie Cutter Letterhead Formats

In the business world your letterhead says a lot about your company.  It is one of the few places you are really able to show your company’s creativity and personality..  So  much of the professionalized world is about norms and doing what is expected.

With your letterhead, your company really has the chance to dazzle the customer.  Creating a distinct, dynamic and engaging letterhead for your business is something that speaks silently to all; leaving them with a lasting impression that you want them to take away.

Too many companies use tired and dull letterheads leaving the client flat.  Anyone could go down to the local Staples or varying office supply store and pick out a “cookie-cutter” type letterhead format.  This isn’t the way to communicate with the customer base.

One of the exciting ways to show them your company is active and vibrant is to create your own letterhead.  Whether this means contracting out to a local designer or simply crashing some heads together; there are plenty of ways of there to create a letterhead format that shows who your company really is.  Little things like this give your company more personality and I truly believe will pay dividends down the road.

Your Letterhead = Your First Impression

Have you ever received a letter in the mail with simply the issuing company’s name in the upper left hand corner in a plain white envelope?  As we all sort through our daily mail this is a very common occurrence begging the question; is my company standing out?

Your company’s letterhead plays a more significant role than one might think.  A bold, dynamic letterhead is your first impression to potential new clients.  One never gets a second chance to make a first impression and it is these first impressions that can make or break that new opportunities.

A worthwhile letterhead is in the details.  All of the information should be clear and concise with everything legible.   The paper should be of quality, the envelopes and brochures should match, all silently representing the company as a contender in the industry.

Your letterhead represents your company and show the world that the company is serious about it’s business.  Your letterhead is an image of your company and everyone wants to put their best foot forward.  Like it or not, a company’s letterhead is vital for a solid first impression.  The companies who succeed who do the small things well.  A well done letterhead is a small detail that makes a big difference.