A Cup of Glee - Weekly Newsletter - The Garden Party - Part 2 of 4 - The Inviting Garden Party

Welcome to the Blog for Fancy That!
We happily call our blog “A Cup of Glee.”
Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy!

Welcome to part 2 of four parts with the theme of “Garden Parties.” Remember last week we mentioned one of the most important things in a Garden Party Décor. This week, we call our post: “The Inviting Garden Party.”


Table Talk
(Manners and TableTop Tips)
Everyone will agree that, sending an invitation that is elegant will set the tone for the Garden Party. My Expressions posting summarizes it best that when receiving a beautifully done invitation, the tone is already set, and the guests know they are being invited to an elaborate affair. If your event is a little less formal, you can create your own flower-shaped invitations adding your information in the center of the flower, seal envelopes with garden stickers, or if you can hand-deliver your invitations, use a small plant pot, with your invitation tied to the pot. Include a small plant or a packet of seeds.



In all cases, use the R.S.V.P. (répondez, s'il vous plait) which means “please reply.” There is no need to say “please RSVP: since that would be redundant. Even if your event is casual, use the RSVP in order to keep a count on the guest so you can plan your food and drink (which is the subject of next week’s post!).

If you are the guest and receive an RSVP, please do be courteous enough to reply to your hostess or host in a timely manner, with the correct number of guests. Nothing causes more “bad flowers” at a garden party than having to set up chairs and another table, let alone not being able to feed everyone simply because your replied that only you would come, and instead, you brought six of your cousins. Be kind, be courteous, and behave! (grin)


The Butler
(Host and Hostess tips and Helpful Hints for planning your event)
Nothing says “elegant garden party” like a botanical invitation. If you are having invitations printed, one of our favs is…you guessed it, Artistic Addressing.

We have highlighted Artistic Addressing in earlier posts here, and find they still entice, excited and provide a great product for the fee. Personalized invitations show the hostess or host has taken the time to create an invitation list, decide who will be seated where, and whether to have buffet, family style, self-service or frozen from the microwave (just kidding!).

If you would like another choice so you can use a portion of your budget elsewhere, consider Invitation Consultants.
Invitation Consultants has a nice selection and usually ships in 7 to 9 days after production.

Lastly for suggestions, if you are on a budget and in a hurry, consider Vista Print!

All too often, when friends of ours are scratching their head not knowing which way to turn, we point them in the direction of Vista Print and their solution is only a few days away, and designed quickly and easily by You! It has your personal mark on the invitations. Just use care checking out so you don’t order an extra 100! (for those of us that have done that, we all know exactly what we are talking about!)

The Flying Saucer
(What’s new at Fancy That!)

What better for your Garden Party than a paper parasol? Not yet pictured on Fancy That!'s web store, but available upon request, are these wonderful paper parasols that will be the exclamation point on your Garden Party. Call or email for pricing and availability!

A Gilt Paper Parasol - Perfect for your elegant garden party!

An Oriental Theme would be perfect for this colorful paper parasol

And my personal fav with the flowers and beautiful birds

Until my next post, please remember:
Suggestions tolerated, compliments always welcomed. Tell your friends, and visit often. acupofglee.blogspot.com

A Cup Of Glee - Weekly Newsletter - Etiquette by Pooh

Welcome to the Blog for Fancy That!
We proudly call our blog “A Cup of Glee.”

This week’s Newsletter is all about the “Thank You” note and Pooh’s Etiquette. Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy!

From “Pooh’s Little Etiquette Book”:

(You can buy the book by clicking on this link.)

“Be sure to thank your host politely before you leave, and write a Thank You Note soon after. This is not only good etiquette but a good way to let your friend know that you arrived home safely.”

Of course in today's world, we do not send a "Thank You" to let our friends know we made it home, but an email or telephone call may do nicely!

Table Talk
(Manners and TableTop Tips)

From “Pooh’s Little Etiquette Book”:

Page 24 on Table Manners,

“When it is time to eat, be careful when you sit down. What is a Resting Place to you, may be Lunch to someone else.”

If you go on a picnic with your friend, be sure to take a blanket to sit upon, and that way, you will be able to be lighted on the cloth, and watch the clouds roll by, ignoring the ants and other creatures below. Of course in the book, Rabbit and others are talking about the grass that you may be sitting upon, which could be a meal for some of Pooh's Friends. Enjoy your picnic!

The Butler

(Host and Hostess tips and Helpful Hints for planning your event)

This is all out the ending…the thank you. When planning and event, you simply cannot forget about the “Thank You” notes. If you are the invitee, you most certainly will want to think about the evening when writing your thank you.

The perfect format, with six rules for how to craft a well done “Thank You” not is here from the Morning News.

If you event is a shower or some soiree where you will be given a gift, plan your Thank You to match closely to your invitations. It is a nice touch when your guests equate the wonderful event with your Thank You Note.

Tiny Prints is a great resource when you are starting out. Once you hit their site, and see such unique prints like this picture,

You will be planning an event AROUND the use of a thank you, instead of the other way around.
Again, in The Morning News are some great ideas for writing that special Thank You.

As is quoted in the “Pooh’s Little Etiquette Book”

“In the Hundred Acre Wood and elsewhere, those who know how to write a proper letter are much respected and in great demand.”

Please do take the moment and impress your dear friend, and Pooh, too!

Wedding Bells

Tips for planning your Wedding)

From OurMarriage.com is a reminder of the most important item to remember: never, never, never (have I emphasized that enough?) never send a pre-printed thank you note after your wedding. Of course you can have your name, or other items "pre-printed", but you do not want the pre-printing to say "thank you for your lovely gift" that you do not mention the gift, or sign your name. A hand written note thanking your guest for the lovely Tiffany Box, or the Waterford Crystal goblet is a perfect touch. By keeping the "Thank You" note personal with the touch of hand writing, you are taking a moment and sending that perfect thank you note!

Why not try one of our favs of all time: Artistic Addressing!

Their tag line says it all: “Pushing the ‘Envy’ lope”.

Remember to leave enough time for Artistic Addressing to get your proofs to you and then to print the stock.

And enjoy!

Until our next post, please remember:
Suggestions tolerated, compliments always welcomed. Tell your friends, and visit often.
acupofglee.blogspot.com