Punchbowl Blog

This post was written by Ariel Faulkner, Content Manager

This month, families all across the country will make resolutions, clean out the closets, and get a fresh start on life. January is our opportunity to step back and prepare for the year ahead, and that includes getting ready for all the special occasions we’ll celebrate along the way.

Here are a few tips and ideas to help you get organized for a year full of special moments and priceless memories:

• Wrap Up December: It’s time to bid the holiday season a final farewell! If you haven’t done so already, send free thank you notes to everyone who gave you gifts over the past few weeks. Friends and relatives will be missing you, so this is also a good time to organize all your photos from the holidays and share them online. Finish making any returns and gather all your gift cards in one place so you don’t lose them.

• Mark Your Milestones: Keeping track of birthdays and anniversaries for all the important people in your life can be a challenge, especially during busy times of the year. Use our free email Reminders service to build your list and we’ll make sure you never miss another special occasion!

• Plan Your Next Celebration: Spending time with your loved ones is one of the best ways to start off the new year, so don’t let too much time go by before your next get-together. Plan an event for the Chinese New Year (January 23), Valentine’s Day or Anti-Valentine’s Day (February 14), Mardi Gras (February 21), Leap Day (February 29), or St. Patrick’s Day (March 17). There are also plenty of reasons to host a watch-party in the weeks ahead: The Miss America Pageant (January 14), Super Bowl (February 5), Grammy Awards (February 12), and the Oscars (February 26).

• Give Your Party Space a Makeover: Nothing says Happy New Year like a before and after photo! Repaint, redesign, or rearrange the room in your house where everyone hangs out at a party. Here are a few tips about how to feng shui your party space. Having a whole new look will inspire your creativity when it’s time to decorate for your next event.

• Try a New Recipe: You’ve sampled dozens of new dishes over the past few weeks. Email your friends and request your favorite recipe from their party, or track down something you’ve never tried like these winter stew recipes. This is a great time to test drive something new. You never know; it could become the centerpiece of a party menu!

How will you celebrate in 2012? Tell us about your plans on our Facebook page!

This post was written by Stephanie Fader, Sr. Marketing Manager

Now that Christmas is over and Hanukkah is winding down, many people will turn their attention to New Year’s. If you’re like most people, you may still be trying to figure out how to put the finishing touches on plans to ring in 2012.

Whether you plan to host an impromptu gathering or head out for a night on the town, here are a few ways to celebrate New Year’s:

1. Host a casual New Year’s celebration. There are several benefits to hosting a New Year’s party at your home. First, you don’t have to worry about driving anywhere. Second, you have complete control over the guest list, food, and activities so you can ring in 2012 with all of your favorite people, snacks, and entertainment. Lastly, your friends will be so grateful that someone is hosting a party and solving their “what to do for New Year’s” dilemma! Start planning your celebration now.
   
2. Attend a First Night event. Many cities host New Year’s festivities on New Year’s Eve that include music, fireworks, food vendors, ice sculptures, entertainment and more. Boston was the first city to host a First Night celebration, however now First Nights occur in 26 states! Find First Night festivities in your area!
3. Make a delicious New Year’s dish. Whether you’re hosting a New Year’s celebration, attending a party, or joining friends for New Year’s day festivities, bring a dish that your friends will love. From delicious finger foods and bite-size appetizers to New Year’s desserts and recipes that bring good fortune, you’ll find something special to make for your event. Browse New Year’s dishes now.
   
4. Watch some fireworks. New Year’s is one of the most popular occasions for fireworks. There will be fireworks displays all over the word on December 31 starting in New Zealand and working their way through each time zone as the clocks strike midnight. Visit your local news website to find fireworks shows in your area.
5. Send New Year’s greetings. Regardless of what you plan to do to ring in 2012, it is unlikely that you’ll get to hug and kiss everyone that you care about when the clock strikes midnight. Make sure to wish friends and family a happy New Year with a free digital New Year’s card. Browse our selection of beautiful cards today and schedule your card to send on January 1st!

How do you plan to spend New Year’s? Share your plans with us on our Facebook page!

This post was written by Stephanie Fader, Sr. Marketing Manager

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about our beautiful digital greeting cards for the holidays. Our digital holiday cards offer the ability to send a thoughtful holiday greeting online that has the look and feel of a traditional paper card. And what could be more fitting for the holiday season than the flat holiday photo cards that have become increasingly popular over the last few years? Now you can send those cards online with the look and feel of the traditional holiday cards that we all know and love!

Check out a few of the new digital holiday cards, which can be customized with one or multiple photos!

While the cards above are Plus designs and require a membership, there is a huge selection of free eCards for Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s and general Season’s Greetings. For those who want to send a beautiful holiday photo card this season, here’s a special offer for 30% off a membership good through the end of this week! Just enter the code PBCARD3 at checkout by Friday, December 16, 2011. See membership options now.

The response to our digital holiday cards has been fantastic so I wanted to share some feedback we’ve received through social media:

“I adore, no, love your site. Thank you for making ecards so much fun!!” - Deborah L. via Facebook

“Very attractive, classy cards.” - Jo S. via Facebook

“Punchbowl makes it easy and fun to stay in touch with your digital cards!” - Chelsea W. via Facebook

“Very cool digital cards.” - @LibbyKane via Twitter

“I recommend @punchbowl for digital greeting cards. Classy, great stationery and free.” - @leahlizross via Twitter

“Punchbowl is a fabulous online card tool, highly recommended!” - @as_dalton via Twitter

Have you sent holiday cards yet? There’s still plenty of time to send free digital holiday cards this year to everyone on your list!

This post was written by Stephanie Fader, Sr. Marketing Manager

Holiday party planning season is in full swing! Families and friends plan all types of festive holiday parties from cookie exchanges and gift swaps to tree decorating parties and traditional Christmas dinners.

Whether you’re hosting an annual holiday celebration or want to create new holiday traditions, we’ve got 5 great tips to help you plan a splendid holiday party!

1. Choose a date that works for key guests. The holiday season is a very busy time of year. To help narrow down the ideal holiday party date, send a Date Decider to some or all of your guests.
2. Find an appropriate venue. Depending on the size and type of your party, you may decide to host your holiday gathering outside your home. Old-fashioned inns offer a rustic charm, while a bar or restaurant can provide a lively atmosphere. Find a local venue for your holiday party.
3. Send beautiful invites. Regardless of whether your event is big or small, an accurate head count is a must. Send online invitations to keep track of your guest list. Your guests can also RSVP for their guests!
4. Choose a festive theme. If you want to host a holiday party but aren’t sure where to start, choose a theme. A party theme can give your party a focus and will make your job of planning a little easier. It can also be fun for the guests. Some ideas include Ugly Sweater parties, Tree Trimming parties, or a Secret Santa. See more holiday party themes.
5. Set up a hot cocoa bar. Whether you host your party at home or in an outside venue, incorporate a hot cocoa bar to give the party an extra special holiday touch. Don’t forget the peppermint sticks!

Of course there are a number of other ways that you can create a memorable holiday party for guests. Decorations, menu selection, and entertainment all contribute to festive holiday fun. Browse more winter holiday party ideas and find the right touches for your celebration!

This post was written by Stephanie Fader, Sr. Marketing Manager

Thanksgiving is coming up next week and if you’re like many, you’ve probably already started planning your menu. It’s interesting to see how the traditional Thanksgiving dinner has evolved over the years. While many of the popular dishes found around the Thanksgiving table are foods that the Pilgrims are believed to have eaten, there are a number of traditional dishes that were introduced much later and some that are missing from the table entirely.

Seafood, for example, was one of the dishes that was served at “The First Thanksgiving” in 1621. Specifically, fish, lobster, and clams. Makes sense since this “First Thanksgiving” took place in New England where seafood is abundant. Today, however, we rarely find seafood around a traditional Thanksgiving dinner table. Instead, we serve turkey, squash, berries, and fruit - all of which were present that “The First Thanksgiving.”

As for traditional side dishes and desserts, those can vary greatly by region. Popular staples, however, include green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cornbread. For traditional Thanksgiving desserts, it’s all about pie! Pumpkin pie, apple pie, and pecan pie reign as the top Thanksgiving desserts.

Need inspiration for your Thanksgiving dinner? Check out a few delicious facts about the culinary delights that Americans will be feasting on this Thanksgiving:

• 248 million turkeys are raised in the U.S., weighing 7.11 billion pounds
• 750 million pounds of cranberries will be made into sauces and jellies
• 2.4 billion pounds of sweet potatoes are used to create this quintessential side
• 1.1 billion pounds of pumpkins will be used to make everyone’s favorite dessert
• 266.1 million pounds of cherries will be used for this tart and fruity pie
• 2.01 billion bushels of wheat are needed as wheat is the essential ingredient of bread, rolls, and pie crust
• 656,340 tons of green beans will be ready to go in your casserole dishes

Still need recipes for your Thanksgiving dinner? Check out our full list of Thanksgiving ideas!

This post was written by Stephanie Fader, Sr. Marketing Manager

Earlier this fall, we introduced our new Digital Greeting Cards service - a suitable alternative to traditional paper greeting cards complete with folded designs, matching envelopes, realistic postmarks, and the complete mail-opening experience. We’ve received wonderful feedback about Digital Greeting Cards so far and we’re just getting started.

Free holiday eCards, for example, are a wonderful way to send warm thoughts to family and friends during the busy winter season. Families can write a personal message, modify text colors and fonts, and upload their own photo to create a truly personalized digital greeting. Winter holiday categories include Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year, and Season’s Greetings.

As for more immediate card-sending occasions, there are also digital greeting card categories for Veteran’s Day eCards (Friday, Nov. 11) and Thanksgiving eCards (Thursday, Nov. 24). Simply choose a design, edit your message, and send your well-wishes to as many people as you like - free!

Need to send cards for another occasion? Check out our selection of digital greeting cards for birthdays, announcements, occasions, everyday, and care and concern. Browse all of our free eCard categories now and let us know what you think on our Facebook page!

This post was written by Stephanie Fader, Sr. Marketing Manager

Gobble, gobble, gobble! Grab your fine-feathered friends and get ready for a fun and delicious holiday. Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away! If you plan to host Thanksgiving this year, here are a few tips for planning your Thanksgiving feast!

• Plan your guest list: Things to consider include space and accommodations, cooking time and preparations, the number of adults and kids, as well as overnight guests. Get more tips for planning your Thanksgiving guest list.

• Send Thanksgiving invitations: Once the guest list has been determined, send out beautiful Thanksgiving invitations. Punchbowl offers a variety of free invitations in popular Thanksgiving motifs.

• Create a delicious menu: It may seem obvious, but a delicious menu is key to a successful Thanksgiving. The main dish and sides are often filled by family favorites. However, you can still wow your guests with creative and easy Thanksgiving appetizers this year.

• Set the scene: Create a warm and inviting Thanksgiving for family and friends with small, but charming touches such as beautiful Thanksgiving table decorations and creative place cards.

• Thanks guests: On this holiday of giving thanks, don’t forget to thank guests for attending your Thanksgiving dinner. After the event, send free Thank You eCards to your guests.

Is your tummy rumbling yet? Whether you like to use recipes that have been passed through the family for generations or want to try something new, a delicious meal is a wonderful way to bring people together. For even more Thanksgiving ideas and recipes to help you plan, check out all of our Thanksgiving dinner ideas!

This post was written by Stephanie Fader, Sr. Marketing Manager

Halloween is right around the corner and while you may be busy pulling together last minute costumes, decorating the yard, and saving your candy stash for excited trick-or-treaters, there is one more item to add to your to-do list: safety. Don’t let anything prevent you and your kids from having a frightful and delightful holiday with family, neighbors, and friends. Here are some tips for having a fun and safe Halloween this year.

Costumes: Make smart costume selections that will prevent injury and accidents. Here are some Halloween costume tips:

• Avoid large or loose garments that can pose a tripping hazard. If the costume does have loose components, avoid standing near open flames or candles, such as jack-o-lanterns.
• Wear sturdy, well-fitting footwear. Over-sized clown shoes or mom’s high heels are not conducive for safe walking.
• If the costume includes a mask, make sure it does not restrict peripheral vision or hearing. Try to choose one that fits well, offers good ventilation, and has large eye holes. An alternative is to use non-toxic face paint instead of a mask.
• Select light-colored or reflective costumes that can be seen by drivers. You can also add reflective tape to props or candy bags for greater visibility.

Decorations: Set the stage for your guests and trick-or-treaters to have a hauntingly good time, but take precautions to avoid any real nightmares.

• Always keep a well-lit path and clear walkways of any debris or large decorations that could cause visitors to get entangled, trip, and fall.
• If you’re planning to use electronic decorations, take care not to overload circuits and use a surge protector. Be sure to use lights that are approved for outdoor use. If you find any frayed cords or broken plugs, discard these decorations.

Trick-or-Treating: To keep this favorite activity sweet, review important safety instructions before leaving home.

• Always travel in groups and carry a flashlight with fresh batteries if going out in the dark.
• Pick a safe and familiar neighborhood. Stay on the sidewalk where available and walk, don’t run, from house to house.
• Only approach houses that have their lights on and wait to check out your candy bounty at home before starting to snack.
• Never enter a house or car to receive a treat.

Plan ahead with your safety precautions so that important details don’t get lost amidst the last minute shuffle before you head out the door. Now you are free to enjoy the spirit of the holiday and make some spectacular Halloween memories!

Another way to celebrate Halloween? Browse our free eCards for Halloween and send ghostly greetings to your friends and family!

This post was written by Stephanie Fader, Sr. Marketing Manager

Chocolate bars and gummy worms and candy corn – oh my! It’s probably no surprise that Halloween is officially the sweetest holiday of the year. It beats out Easter, Valentine’s Day, and Christmas. In fact, Halloween candy sales average about 2 billion dollars annually in the U.S. alone. With bags of candy on store shelves for weeks in advance of the holiday, it has us wondering how Halloween became synonymous with candy in the first place?

We did a little digging and came up with this timeline:

• 1940s: Trick or treating became more widespread in the U.S. However, rather than candy, trick-or-treaters received nuts, cookies, cakes, coins, and toys.

• 1950s: The rise of trick-or-treating gave candy producers an opening to market their products aimed at kids. Candy was also easy to buy and economical, which made it the optimal choice for those entertaining trick-or-treaters.

• 1960s: The growth of Halloween candy was still on the rise, though it was often in the form of a small bag of loose candy like candy corn, Hershey Kisses, or Tootsie Rolls.

• 1970s: Parents were less comfortable with homemade or unwrapped treats, which gave way to the idea that commercially wrapped candy was seen as the safest option.

• 1980s: Candy manufacturers produced smaller versions of their full size candies on a large scale. Trick-or-treating as we know it became about dressing up and collecting as much candy as possible.

Here are a few more tidbits to satisfy your sweet tooth:

• Halloween is responsible for 75% of all candy corn sold during the year — you can celebrate this fact on October 30th, National Candy Corn Day!
• 90% of parents admit to sneaking goodies out of their kids’ Halloween candy stash
• 73.5% of households plan to hand out Halloween candy this year

Want another way to incorporate candy into your Halloween celebration without the calories? Make your own Halloween candy costume! Check out these 5 Halloween candy costume ideas that you can make at home for yourself or the kids.

All this talk of candy make you want to host a Halloween party? Start planning yours today!

This post was written by Stephanie Fader, Sr. Marketing Manager

Are you ready for a frightfully good time? Halloween, one of the most popular holidays in America, is creeping up on us and there are so many spooktacularly fun ways to celebrate. But first, let’s take a look at some fun facts about Halloween as you start to think about your plans…if you dare…

• Last year, an estimated 41 million trick-or-treaters across the U.S. ventured out into the night to collect their candy from a total of 117 million households.
• At least 50% of people plan to dress up in costume this Halloween. For adults, the most popular costume choices are witches, pirates, and vampires. For kids, look out for little princesses, superheroes, ghosts, and ninjas.
• Pets get in on the costume action too: 14.7% of pet owners plan to purchase a pint size costume for their furry friends.
• Last year, 1.1 billion pounds of pumpkins were turned into grinning jack-o’-lanterns or delicious pies.
• Illinois, New York, and Ohio are the top pumpkin producing states.
• Halloween ranks 2nd behind Christmas for total dollars spent on decorations. Popular Halloween decorations include life-size skeletons, extra large inflatable pumpkins, and fake cob webs.
• There are a number of cities and towns across the country with ghostly names. They include:
  • Frankenstein, Missouri
  • Tombstone, Arizona
  • Cape Fear, North Carolina
  • Skull Creek, Nebraska
  • Spiderweb, South Carolina
  • Goblintown, Virginia
  • Screamer, Alabama
  • Black Cat, Arkansas
  • Bloody Corners, Ohio
  • Hell Hollow, New Hampshire

How will you celebrate Halloween this year? You can find party themes, decorating tips, recipes, costume ideas, and more in the Halloween party ideas section of the site. If you’re ready to start planning your party, send a bootiful Halloween invitation today!