It’s that time of year again where you can almost smell the Cajun seasoning in the air!  Being from the North, I often went to crab boils or chowder fests in the summer months, but I had never even heard of a Crawfish until I took a vacation down to Louisiana when I was a teenager.  Now living in North Carolina, the tradition of the crawfish boil has slowly crept it’s way up the coast, and more and more we’re seeing crawfish boils being a party must-have during the summer months.

If you’ve never been to a crawfish boil, you’re in for a real treat!  Be prepared for a really fun, casual setting, lots of people and TONS of food, Cajun style!  A crawfish boil party is not one for the weak or wary!  This Louisiana tradition spans from New Orleans and features a large boiling pot FULL of crawfish, corn on the cob, onions, lemons and lots of cayenne seasonings.  All of the ingredients are placed into a pot to boil at once and when finished, all ingredients are drained and traditionally dumped onto a large table setting covered in newspaper.  Ready to eat?  Find the largest crawfish you can and break off the tail.  Begin peeling away the crawfish tail and when you pinch the bottom, the meat pops right out, similar to a crab.    Eat it as-is, or dunk it in butter, ketchup, tabsco, horseradish or lemon juice!

Crawfish boils are great for family get-togethers, wedding showers, family reunions, corporate outings or adult birthday parties.  Crawfish boils are held outside and generally create a fun, relaxed and crazy atmosphere for family and friends.  Be sure to have the camera ready, for some one-of-a-kind photos that you’ll want to take, share and remember.

Set the scene for your upcoming crawfish boil with a crawfish boil party invitation to match!  At InvitationBox.com, our crawfish invitation designs are some of the most whimsical, fun and vibrant invitations we have.  We offer crazy designs with wiggler crawfish standing on top of a boiling pot and cartoon designs.  We also offer more reserved designs with crawfish boil scenes with crawfish spreads on newspaper or on a fiery grill.

Check out some of our amazing Crawfish Invitations below and get ready to go Cajun!

Another year older?  No, no…Another year WISER!!  They’re saying that 30 is the new 20 for our generation, so let’s hope that trend travels up the ladder as we all gain another year in 2011.  Some of us could care less about age as we get older, saying it’s nothing but a number.  And on the other hand, some of us would rather run and hide then face another year older!  Being in my late 20′s, (oh my gosh, did I just say LATE?!), I remember having what I call a quarter-life-crisis at 25, however I feel prepared as I will approach 30 in another two years.

No reason to hide from your birthday, as you’re only as young or as old as you feel!  Celebrate your life experience with a birthday blowout with all of your family and friends.  At InvitationBox.com, we realize that your milestone birthday years,  30, 40, 50, 60 and up are important moments to not only you, but your family as well!   This spring and summer season, our vendors and designers have worked hard to provide our customers with brand new milestone birthday invitations for all to enjoy!

Below I have chosen an adult birthday party invitation from some of our most popular birthday years to showcase to you…remember that there’s many more to see in our Milestone Birthday Invitation collection!

Numeral Card 30th Pink Invitation – By Noteworthy Collections - Thirty and flirty!  This sassy flat white 30th birthday party invitation is very contemporary with it’s posh charcoal background and a large number 30 in the diagonal center in ballerina pink.  ”thirty” is pre-printed in the bottom right corner of the card and your text prints inside the zero in “30″.  Flip the card over for a mirrored color image with a pink background with a charcoal “30″ in the center.  This is perfect for the girly-girl heading into her thirties in style!

Diamond Numbers 50th Invitation – by Noteworthy Collections - Fifty and nothing but fabulous!  This is one of my favorite milestone invitations with a sleek contemporary black background and a grey sunburst design in the top left corner of the card.  A diamond created number “50″ grabs your focus in the top right corner.  Unfortunately the diamonds are part of the design of the card, so sorry ladies, no real bling with this invitation!  However, this card is so well designed you’d think it was the real thing!  This fabulous invitation is available with multiple birthday numbers, not just the 50 shown here, so whether it’s your 21st birthday or your 90th, the perfect shiny invitation awaits you!

The Big Eight-Oh Boarding Pass Photo Invitation – by Noteworthy Collections - Uh oh…he’s turning the big 8-OH!  This is one of our most popular new milestone invitations, which is created to look just like a boarding pass for life!  It features a classic woodgrain background with a boarding pass designed center, with a large red stamp in the bottom right corner next to the birthday man or woman’s digital photograph.  Phrases like “It’s the big one!” and “The Big Eight-Oh” are pre-printed on the card.

Feeling like you’re ready to celebrate?  Browse our entire Milestone Birthday Party Invitation Collection at Ibox!

Ten tiny fingers, and ten tiny toes!  Introduce your new baby to the world, so that everyone knows!  Traditional birth announcements were a small, simple and classic card with elegant detail and information about your new precious arrival.  More modern times have expanded on the simple birth announcement and evolved it into a gorgeous pieces of stationery art with color, designs and even the most popular now, digital photographs!

Photo birth announcements are the perfect way to introduce your newborn to the world by sharing a photograph of some of their first moments on earth.  They also create a great keepsake for not only the baby’s parents but also for family members and friends.  Our photo birth announcements feature anywhere from one to three photographs, in case you have multiple photographs to share, or perhaps have had multiple births!  We also have brand new photo birth announcements which feature your child’s digital photograph showcased as the entire background of the card.  A frame will adorn the bottom of the card for your baby’s important birth details.

Our photo birth announcement collection features boy photo birth announcements with hues of blue, green, brown and grey and our girl photo birth announcements features hues of pink, purple, grey and yellow.  Our newest cards feature monogram designs as well as unique patterns with polka dots, stripes and floral frames to make your birth announcement stand out.  Make your birth announcement that much more special with a layered card, ribbon detail or by upgrading your card stock to shimmer or silk photo stock.

Below are just a few of our favorite brand new designs…

Plan on mailing your birth announcements in the weeks just after your baby is born.  Some parents often want to send their birth announcements out the days after the baby is born, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself as a new parent.  Anytime in the months after your baby is born is appropriate.

The year seems to be flying by…Father’s Day is just around the corner on June 19, 2011!  There’s no better holiday to celebrate the big man in your life, whether he’s your grandfather, husband or your very own father.  One of my most favorite memories of my Dad as a child was when my dad came to pick me up from a sleepover party in hot-pink short-shorts!  Totally a fashion of the 1980′s, but as a 10 year old trying to be the cool kid, at the time I was mortified!  This fun memory makes me laugh so hard today…Dad was so clueless!

What do you have planned for Father’s Day?  Maybe a canoe outing with the family, a large family barbecue, a day at the golf course, breakfast in bed or maybe even a ‘day off’ for Dad to go do his thing without interruptions?  Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s all about your Dad and the things he likes to do the most.  Maybe share a few fun memories with your dad if you’re older and remind him of all the good times you’ve shared together.  You can also choose to recognize a father figure in your life on Father’s Day to make a touching gesture.

Not sure what to get Dad for Father’s Day?  Look no further…InvitationBox.com is not JUST about invitations, you know!  We offer a complete line of personalized stationery and Father’s Day gifts to help you celebrate Dad!  From engraved stainless steel leather flasks to personalized picture frames, pilsner glasses, humidors, cuff links, putter sets, koozies, bar signs and vintage barbecue cutting boards, there’s something for all of Dad’s unique interests.  Whether he’s a golfer, a barbecuer, a business professional, a sports fanatic or a daily coffee drinker.

Checkout some of our great Personalized Father’s Day Gifts below and let your Dad know he’s # 1 !

Every girl loves to get spoiled and pampered all day! Manicure, pedicure, massage, facial – you name it! If she’s a girly-girl, she’s there…and ready for some relaxation! We all get way too caught up in our jobs, our kids and the hustle and bustle of everyday life that we sometimes forget to take a moment to relax and just appreciate life and the people we love in it.  And with our families being so busy, we often find it hard to take a day off to spend with friends and good company.

A spa day is the perfect excuse to get together with friends, co-workers or neighbors for some good gossip, a cocktail (or two), and to help to push your cares away while you relax and celebrate one of the best parts of being a girl.  Whether you’re planning a spa day as a girl’s day, bachelorette party, bridal shower or a kid’s party, be sure to browse different spas in your areas to get the best deals.  Many spas offer discounted rates for large groups or special packages which include combos of mani/pedis with a hot stone massage or seaweed wrap.  Allow your guests to choose their own services and be sure to be upfront about what services the hosts will/will not be covering.  You may even want to include a fun spa menu with each invitation detailing the services your local spa offers.  This can be especially handy if you need to book your services prior to your guests attending your event.

When searching for the perfect spa day invitation, look no further than InvitationBox.com!  Our spa themed party invitation collection has grown in the past few months and we have a couple of brand new designs that are perfect for setting the scene for your serene party.  Below you’ll see some of our favorite spa party invitations which feature spa scenes of girls wrapped in towels and robes with face masks and cucumber eyes.  These are especially great for bridal spa days or adult spa events.  Kids spa days are also becoming increasingly popular and we’ve got the perfect kids spa party invitations to coordinate!  Choose from whimsical cartoon spa kids getting their toes painted or patterned cards with bottles of nail polish, bare feet or vanity scenes.

Checkout some of our favorite spa party invitations for kids and adults below and get ready to be pampered!

It’s grilling season again!  With Memorial day coming up this weekend, I’m sure everyone is heading out to the store to purchase gas or charcoal just in time to serve up some delicious barbecue to family and friends.

But the fun doesn’t need to stop this holiday weekend, it’s time to fire up that old grill and keep in burning all summer long!  Nothing keeps the kids coming or gets your friends to stop by than a fun, casual and fun barbecue.  Pair it with a swimming pool or game of corn hole and you’ve got a day of fun for the whole family!  Barbecues are great for adult birthday party invitations, couples shower invitations, kids party invitations, corporate gatherings, holidays or summer party invitations.

When choosing the perfect BBQ invitation for your event, choose one that coincides with the type of event your hosting and the formality of your event.  We have barbeque themed couples shower invitations featuring a bride and groom cooking by a grill for those hosting a barbeque themed shower or engagement celebration.  There’s cookout invitations with burgers and hot dogs for those who know the best part of a barbeque is the food!  For those looking for a bit of a country flare, there’s western themed bbq invitations featuring couples in cowboy boots, meat emblems and barbed wire themes to really set the barbeque scene.  Those looking for a product that is a bit more reserved, for maybe a corporate outing or a formal barbecue, we also have patterned barbecue invitations with picnic table and oilcloth borders, bandana patterns, western place settings and picnic scenes.  Or if you want to go totally back-yard on your next party, match your barbeque invitation with a grill scene invitation or one with a keg or bucket of beer on ice.

Below you’ll see some of our newest barbecue invitations that are sure to set the scene for one sizzlin’ hot event!

Make sparks fly this 4th of July!!!  Summer is right around the corner and we can feel the heat over here at InvitationBox.com!  It’s supposed to be in the 90′s this weekend and honestly, I can’t wait to get my tan on at the pool!  Start the summer off on the right foot with a 4th of July party invitation to commemorate our Independence and celebrate the summer season.  It’s a great time to celebrate and get together with family, friends, neighbors and co-workers, whether you’re celebrating with a pool party, a delicious cookout, barbecue or fireworks and sparklers.

Our patriotic invitations will give you that all-American feeling with designs featuring american flags, barbecued food, ice cold beer, family picnic scenes and red, white and blue patterns in plaid, polka dots, stripes and fireworks.  Whether you’re hosting a corporate event or a fun-filled family get-together, there’s a plethora of choices to help you celebrate such an important and fun holiday.  Pair your patriotic invitation with a round or square sticker to make your invitation stand out in the mail.  You can use our patriotic stickers for envelope seals, return address labels or stickers for your party favors at your event.

Below is just a few of the great 4th of July invitations you’ll see this summer on InvitationBox.com…

With so many parties being hosted this summer, it’s a great idea to send your invitations out within the first week or so in June.  Most of our invitations can be shipped within 2-3 business days plus shipping.  We also offer rush processing options for those who need to receive their order expeditiously.

Let’s get hitched, y’all!  I don’t know about you, but over here at InvitationBox.com we’re BIG fans of country and certainly celebrate the joys of living in the south!  Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert tied the knot recently and their wedding photos and details have just been released causing quite a buzz and some awesome western wedding inspiration!  Miranda wore her mother’s wedding gown from years ago on her wedding day, and her bridesmaids sported semi-formal knee-length gowns with cowboy boots!!!  (Just like the fashionable girls did in this fun photo on the left).  Honestly, nothing looks better than a girl in cowboy boots, and when you pair that with a western wedding, you can’t go wrong!  If you’re planning a western wedding, this may be a great idea to tie your western theme into your formal wedding attire!

InvitationBox.com’s dedicated team of designers that have designed some of their greatest western wedding invitations yet!  Whether you’re looking for western bridal shower invitations, western rehearsal dinner invitations or western wedding invitations, there’s a little something for every western bride.  Keep it casual with cartoon drawings of maids in boots, cowboy boots or bandana prints, or dress up your western theme with an antique floral patterned border with horseshoes or a woodgrain etched backing.  Choose a western place setting for those hosting a western themed rehearsal dinner.  Carry your western theme into your reception too with flowers in mason jars, quilts over your table tops, sunflower decorations and an old fashioned wedding dress like Miranda Lambert chose.

Below are some of our newest and favorite western wedding invitation designs which will unleash the cowboy into your big day!

“One question about your business, boy, or there’s no use going: This girl… how far are you willing to go to save her?”

Aah, the famous words of Captain Jack Sparrow, the villain we all hate to love!  Who’s ready for Pirates of the Caribbean 4??  I know after the couple year wait from the last sequel release, I am very excited for the Pirates opening weekend, and I’m sure the kids are bugging you to take them to the movies!

Pirate themed party invitations are one of our most popular invitation themes for kids and adults this year.  Boys, girls, men, women – they all love the pirate themed parties – full of action, adventure, mystery, danger and treasure, of course!  If you’re planning on hosting your own pirate themed party, be sure to amp up the party games, decor and food/beverages to coordinate with your unique party theme.

If you’re planning a kids pirate party, create a treasure map for the kids to follow in teams, searching for the ultimate treasure!  Be sure to use tricky clues to keep the kids interested and searching.  You can also ask the kids to come dressed as their favorite pirate!  Girls can come as fair maidens or pirates, if they wish!  If you’re planning an adult themed pirate party, be sure to serve up plenty of rum and finger foods.   Have the guest of honor dress as their favorite pirate or ask everyone to dress up.  Decorate your event with dark, adventurous colors with scattered treasures throughout.  If your party is coming up very soon, you may even want to take your guests to the movies to see the Pirates 4 movie!

Below are some of our favorite pirate themed invitations, from scary (for adults) to fun and adventurous (for kids)!

She did it…she graduated!  Graduation season is well underway and now is the time to pick up your last minute graduation invitations and graduation announcements so that they’re ready to send just as she tosses her cap.  Graduation announcements are a great way to share the news of your student’s graduation with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors.  It’s also a great way to let your family members from afar share in on your celebration, as they may live too far away to attend a graduation party for your son or daughter.

Graduation announcements should be sent out on the day of your child’s graduation or within a few weeks after the graduation…so if you’re late on the ball, you still have plenty of time to order your graduation announcements!  Your graduation announcement should include the parents names of the graduating student, the lucky graduate’s name as well as the school she is graduating from.  If your child is continuing their education in the fall at a college, grad school or university, you may also want to include information about the new school they’ll be attending in the fall.

Need to double your graduation announcement as an invitation as well?  No worries.  Announce the graduate’s graduation at the top of the card followed by a few lines inviting your guests to celebrate with you just after the graduation.  Be sure to include a time, date and location of your graduation party.  We’ve seen a lot of orders come in lately missing the party location, and this is an essential part of your graduation announcement and invitation.  If nobody knows where the party is, how will they know where to go to celebrate?  Not everyone remembers your street address!

When choosing the perfect graduation announcement, you’ll have many options to choose from.  Our designers have compiled specific designs for boy graduation, girl graduation and Class of ’11 graduation.  We also offer graduation announcements with school colors so that the graduate can share their school pride.  Want to share a photograph of the graduate to show how much they’ve grown over the years?  We also have an abundant collection of graduation photo cards which feature your graduation details along with your digital photograph.  If your son or daughter is graduating from a medical, dental, nursing or law school, we also have career specific graduation announcements to help you commemorate.

Below are just a few of the great new graduation announcement designs you’ll see from our large graduation collection…