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

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

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 Matt Douglas, Founder & CEO, @mattdouglas

After months of hard work by the entire Punchbowl team, I’m very excited to announce the launch of Digital Invitation Studio in time for Halloween party planning. Digital Invitation Studio is a beautiful collection of pre-packaged online stationery sets for events and celebrations, complete with invitations, envelopes, liners, rubber stamps, and postage. The best part: it’s completely free to use so you can eliminate the costs of paper and postage from your next party or event.

I look forward to hearing what you think about Digital Invitation Studio — please share your feedback on our Facebook page.

Here’s the official announcement:
Wouldn’t it be great if you could have the quality, experience, and personalization of printed invitations without the cost of paper and postage? Today, Punchbowl.com, the one-stop site for start to finish party planning, has reshaped the fine stationery market with the unwrapping of Digital Invitation Studio — a beautiful collection of free, pre-packaged online stationery sets for events and celebrations, complete with invitations, envelopes, liners, rubber stamps, and postage.

With hundreds of pre-packaged online stationery sets in stunning designs and color palettes, Digital Invitation Studio turns the page on paper as the sole option for hosts who want the elegance of printed invitations. In addition to beautiful stationery sets and custom accents, Digital Invitation Studio allows hosts to deliver a stamped envelope directly to a guest via email and replicates the act of opening a paper invitation.

“For the first time in online party planning, there exists an alternative to traditional paper invitations without any of the associated costs,” said Matt Douglas, CEO, Punchbowl. “With envelopes in different shapes and colors, themed postage stamps, and realistic postmarks, Digital Invitation Studio offers the quality and sophistication of paper invitations for free.”

Highlights of Digital Invitation Studio include:
•    Hundreds of pre-packaged stationery sets in stunning designs and color palettes
•    An assortment of standard envelope sizes in multiple color options
•    Custom accents such as envelope liners and rubber stamps
•    Free customizable postage stamps
•    Improved guest experience that replicates the act of opening a traditional paper invitation

“The distinction between digital and paper invitations has been eliminated with Digital Invitation Studio,” said Michael Waxman-Lenz, former GM of AmericanGreetings.com and Punchbowl Board Director. “Consumers can use Punchbowl for all aspects of planning a party online — from sending invitations, to managing the guest list, to finding local vendors.”

Over one million registered users have chosen Punchbowl for party planning. Punchbowl is ideal for planning birthday parties, baby showers, Halloween parties, Christmas parties, and even Thanksgiving dinner. In addition to the consumer site Punchbowl.com, the company licenses its technology to leading retailers such as Oriental Trading Company and 1-800-FLOWERS.

To explore Digital Invitation Studio, visit: http://www.punchbowl.com/digital-invitations