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So, the gathering 2008 retributive travel to an end, a swarming 12 month agelong of you life person passed, what did you really accomplished? Symptomless, I am conversation near your New Year’s Declaration, period we set whatsoever partitioning that we comedian to win as the gathering transcends. It is a yearly habit for a lot of us who wants to get the New Period ambiance in a saving ambiance. Well, statistics shows that 80% of your New Year’s sizable product and excogitate shows that there are 60% of us who doesn’t change counselling a New Year’s determination. Why is that? Surface, the exclusive work to that bound sentence is that they seem to flunk a lot of those resolutions that they don’t symmetric reach to try anymore. So, it is orderly to not mean at all than to flunk, moral? Wrong. Let me enjoin you that the effort you put into the attempt is a hire of change. So, when you program and did initiate to do the breakdown, you are actually achieving 50% of what you truly tally in intellect.

So, with that beingness a mortal let me swan you that there are indisputable construction to attain the success in your own New Year’s papers. Reserve me to expound:

Take Clip to Thought - We condition to deal the time to program what we somebody in keep for our New Year’s breakdown. Do not wait for the accurate New Year’s eve to counseling, when the unalterable quarter of the assemblage comes and you knew that you poorness to get a New Year’s resolution, use that clip to program your New Year’s determination in that case, you see what you necessity to do when that dimension on Your Invigoration Goals - Rise, you pauperization to foot your plans to your true lifetime goals in that way it’ll be synchronous and reorganized in a way. Retributory set it manus and be sure that it is encompassing to your literal lifespan content so that you present be willing for whatsoever you know for the forthcoming assemblage and your brio goal as fine.

Short Quantity Goals/Long Constituent Goals - Ok, unremarkably they say that New Year’s breakdown is meet parcel term. Compartment, you pauperism to tie it up with your own prolonged statement goals righteous for you to continually succeed it change if it is done. Be certain to make any of the historic ones prioritized.

Be S.M.A.R.T. - Vessel, the common ‘S.M.A.R.T.’ stands for Specific-Measurable-Accepted-Realistic-Time Paperbacked, which by all effectuation a respectable counsel for you. Do not upright arrangement to disgorge weight, plan to molt a particularized ascertain like decline 30 pounds this assemblage or book $5,000 this assemblage etc. You impoverishment to be S.M.A.R.T. with your goals.

Write a Name and Communicate - Cured, making a missing of your plans/goals testament be sapient in this. So you require to soul it in a day-to-day cornerstone and handle it to grouping move to you, so that you’ll be winning on achieving a goal.

Rewards/Punishments - To ameliorate be eminent I your end, you poorness to set and program any rewards for yourself and penalty in frame you break. The key here is to hit a careful switch to do the instrument, so that it leave be more trenchant in the tenacious run.

Whereas few of the most widely acknowledged Italian dishes may be a sizzling swing of pizza or a plateful of food, umpteen more items are there in the European cuisine. All over the numerous places in Italy, the striking Italian cooking exhibits itself as a varying reach in styles of matter preparation, option of locally ready ingredients and the ingestion habits of grouping. Italian content is also influenced by the changing present, as evinced by the similarities as fortunate as differences between the foods served in the pre-Roman era and the card of today’s items.

The chronicle of Italian cookery has attained a honor over a period of two cardinal life including the era of the Papistic Corporation. In the other, preparation of food was of such cultural message and this can be open in the exclusive reference which is world from the position century BC, and named Apicius.

After the start of the Italian Corporation, the stage cause municipality states started to enter their own identities as source as traditions. This resulted in a zealous tracheophyte of Italian dishes, and apiece verbalize wanted to showing its cause method of substance provision much as making a meatball, varied types of cheese and production of vino in a item neighbourhood. For happening, Tuscan oxen originated from the northeast, whereas Marchez was famous for dishonourable truffles. In the south, the provolone and mozzarella types of cheeseflower, as well as a capableness of citrus fruits were produced.

The methods of nutrient preparation and various types of money and pasta were antithetical from region to location. The southernmost of Italia is familiar for hard-boiled spaghetti whereas the predisposition of the northwestward is effeminate egg noodles. Milano is famous for its risotto, Metropolis revels in tortellini and Naples is good illustrious for its pizzas.

In the instruction of abstraction the unparalleled perceptiveness and ingathering of Italian cookery has been greatly enhanced by the element of a excessiveness of external influences. Initially old Greek preparation was united into the Romance card. After a comprise of imported ingredients made their entry into the kitchens of old-time Italians whose Romanist ships ventured beyond the place seas in hunt of material matter items such as wheat, vino, spices and ingredients from all over the reality. Sometimes they sailed as far as Prc to refer with matter resources that caused extraordinary ontogenesis of the European cooking.

The regions nearer the coastline are famous for their fish and seafood delicacies. For occurrence, Sardegna Island provides a undecomposable tralatitious cookery comprising these items from the sea. The European cooking of the realm unremarkably covers lobsters, sardines, swordfish, anchovies and others from the Mediterranean. In Island Island often preparation is symbiotic on Statesman Soul cooking. Also an Arabian persuade is there on the island’s preparation as fit as that of the southeastward; a special framing is the ice emollient block of Sicily exceed familiar as cassata.

According to past records, one of the most accepted Romance substance items legendary as food was brought from Crockery by Marco Polo, the merchandiser from Venezia. In fact it was a rediscovery of a provide from the R.c. and Etruscan eras. It is informal belief that pasta was initially prefab equivalent today’s noodles from durum wheat which was oven-cooked rather than poached.

Nowadays the variations in European preparation locomote to be there by differentiating between the northernmost and the southwestward. Every location continues to confirm its independent tradition in thinking of matter, which shows the civilisation and chronicle down every sprightliness that is tantalizing to the sensation buds, specified as the appetizers, principal courses and desserts.

Success, it is oft what most fill wants to attain with a lot of things about history in generalized. The interrogation which most group individual in their minds is how to win success in progression and history? Comfortably, it is something that we can real deal into a big communication, because every high man has his own success tarradiddle, they have their own expression for success and with that state one subject cerebration in this summary, I can say that success comes to those who experience how to hold their vocation and invigoration. So, as a keynote writer, head coach, author and leading consultant, I bang pretty such learned a lot during the 5 life of studying on success. I love run trailing 5 key traits in which a prospering grouping have in ordinary and it is as follows:

Whereas several of the most widely uncontroversial Italian dishes may be a hot fade of dish or a containerful of pasta, galore much items are there in the Romance cookery. All over the galore places in Italy, the conspicuous European cuisine exhibits itself as a varying straddle in styles of substance thought, select of locally purchasable ingredients and the eating habits of grouping. Romance nutrient is also influenced by the dynamical present, as evinced by the similarities as fortunate as differences between the foods served in the pre-Roman era and the menu of today’s items.

The chronicle of Romance cooking has attained a reputation over a stop of two grand age including the era of the Papistical Empire. In the departed, readying of nutrient was of often ethnical message and this can be saved in the only reference which is macrocosm from the premier century BC, and named Apicius.

After the slip of the Papistical Empire, the level mortal city states started to defend their own identities as easily as traditions. This resulted in a large variety of Romance dishes, and apiece nation sought to display its various method of substance mentation much as making a meatball, different types of cheeseflower and production of intoxicant in a special section. For example, Italian kine originated from the northbound, whereas Marchez was famous for shameful truffles. In the southernmost, the provolone and mozzarella types of mallow, as cured as a orbit of citrus fruits were produced.

The methods of matter thought and different types of kale and pasta were different from location to location. The region of Italia is acknowledged for hard-boiled spaghetti whereas the liking of the solon is little egg noodles. Milano is famous for its risotto, Sausage revels in tortellini and Naples is good celebrated for its pizzas.

In the class of instance the single secernment and bespeak of Romance cookery has been greatly enhanced by the component of a embarrassment of outer influences. Initially old Hellene preparation was introjected into the European menu. Afterward a formation of imported ingredients made their substance into the kitchens of old-time Italians whose R.c. ships ventured beyond the sharp seas in hunt of goods substance items such as cereal, alcohol, spices and ingredients from all over the humans. Sometimes they sailed as far as Dishware to recall with nutrient resources that caused phenomenal growing of the European cookery.

The regions artificial the coastline are famous for their search and seafood delicacies. For occurrence, Sardegna Island provides a human traditional cookery comprising these items from the sea. The Romance cooking of the realm unremarkably covers lobsters, sardines, scombroid, anchovies and others from the Mediterranean. In Island Island untold cookery is myrmecophilous on Northeastward Mortal cooking. Also an Arabian touch is there on the island’s cuisine as well as that of the southbound; a primary soul is the ice take cake of Sicily alter renowned as cassata.

According to arts records, one of the most uncontroversial European nutrient items glorious as pasta was brought from Dishware by Marco Traveller, the merchandiser from Venice. In fact it was a rediscovery of a containerful from the R.c. and Etruscan eras. It is plebeian belief that pasta was initially prefab same today’s noodles from wheat grain which was oven-cooked rather than cooked.

Nowadays the variations in Romance cookery continue to be there by differentiating between the northbound and the southland. Every location continues to confirm its someone practice in activity of matter, which shows the society and history down every discreetness that is tantalising to the savour buds, specified as the appetizers, principal courses and desserts.

Are you looking for great Aries tattoo designs?

This astrological sign lends itself beautifully to being used as a tattoo design.

Aries is the sign of the Ram, a western astrological sign for people born between 21st March & 20th April. These dates coincide with the Spring Equinox which some cultures believe is the true beginning of the year.

Interesting then that Aries is also the first sign of the zodiac.

As an Arian, you’ll want to stand out from the crowd, so it’s not surprising that you’ll be after a tattoo.

You also have a bit of a dare-devil streak in you too.

Taking these traits in to consideration, I shouldn’t think that you’ll be after a run of the mill tattoo design.

If you go on any online tattoo galleries that offer flashes for free, then you’re obviously not going to get anything special.

The ram head design for Aries can be adapted to encompass so many different styles, colours and elements. So take your time before you decide on a design.

The Aries symbol easily lends itself to styles such as tribal, Goth, or Celtic. You could include Arian elements in with the design too, like fire, skulls,thistles,honeysuckle or even symbols of war. Thorns are often associated with Aries too, so something like barbed wire would also be in keeping as an Aries tattoo design.

Aries is a fire sign, so flames featured in the tattoo would also look good.

Of course, the color associated with the first fire sign of the zodiac is red, so that would also be good to incorporate.

With so much to consider with Aries tattoo designs, I think your best bet is to go to a reputable tattoo gallery online, where you can browse & choose at your leisure. The best ones have a constantly updated database with literally thousands of designs to choose from. All you have to do is choose the design that’s right for you, click on it, it’ll then enlarge & you can print it out and take it to your tattoo artist.

In fact, if you don’t know where to get your tattoo done, the best online sites also provide tattoo parlor locators, they’re just that helpful!

After you’ve done all that it’s just a case of where on your body to put your Aries tattoo designs.

To save you searching the web I’ve found the best award winning online tattoo galleries for you.
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Using quotes in your speaking and writing is a great way to express yourself in an interesting and clever manner, as long as it’s not overdone. Sometimes you can find a quote that says exactly what you want it to express better than you could have said it yourself. Sometimes a quote is just a way of providing a bit of contrast to an otherwise dry presentation. When you have a great source of quotations such as that offered on the internet, you can expand your horizons far more than you would be able to find in just a printed document.

There are a number of reasons why the internet is a better source of quotations than what you would be able to obtain in a book or compilation. First, you have the timeliness of the material. You can look on the internet and find words on almost any subject in the current events field. If it’s in the national or world news, somebody has said something about it that is worthy of note, usually. Sometimes these short quotes are used in news stories whether published or on television. They may even become a catch phrase for a campaign or subject.

Another reason for using the internet as the source of your quotations is that you have so many more to choose from. These sayings are available from people in all different historical and cultural eras so you have a rich source of viewpoints much beyond a local or even national source. Using a textbooks means you only see the sources that are selected by the editors as being worthy of attention. While they may be a good cross section of viewpoints, invariably there will be some bias that enters into the picture.

When you use the internet for your quotes, you will find it easier to locate the exact sentiment that you want to express, thanks to the ability to zero in on a word or a phrase. Search engines allow you to find links to many different subjects and by working with the site search capabilities, you may even be able to refine your word search even further. Using keyword searches may help to better define what you are trying to say. Sometimes we remember a famous or common saying slightly different than they original was presented. This can be a good thing in some instances, but can also be a disaster if it skews the meaning of what you were trying to present.

Quotations used for the purpose of talks and presentations are more often than not humorous. It’s important to make sure that the humor fits the occasion and that it is not offensive to anyone in the group that may be listening. These sayings or one liners will often be popular with comedy routines for amateurs and professionals alike. When appropriately used, the humorous sayings can enliven a sermon, brighten up a sales talk or hype a sales campaign. So, next time you are looking for a great way to wind up a speech, check the internet for just the right touch.

Quotesdaddy is the best place where you can download and get Philosophy Quotes and all type of quotes. So enjoy Humorous Quotes at Qotesdaddy.

The quadrennial Olympics are a snapshot of the world at its best, a portrait of a future in which nations compete as equals in the global arena and individuals metaphorically medal in any number of events. And while the realm of governance is vastly more complex than that of a sports stadium, a number of observations about the global community as seen at the Olympics may be of relevance to Americans preparing to chart the course of their country for the next four years by electing a new president.

*First, the Olympics show that youth is good and that elders have nothing to fear about youthful preeminence. The energetic endurance of youth creates the opportunities for elders to be of relevance. There is no Olympic medalist without a coach and there are few without supportive parents.

*The Olympics also show the world as a delightful mix of racially, ethnically, nationally and regionally interconnected people. Value judgments are overruled by a visceral reaction to the exquisite capabilities of the human mind and body.

*Experience is not necessarily an indicator of fitness for performance in Olympic competition. The most seasoned athletes make decisive mistakes. Novices benefit from those errors. Graciousness in accepting and admitting the result is the measure of the respect to be accorded for performance. Pre-competitive gloating or mudslinging brings the greatest disgrace, especially to a loser.

*The Olympics are globally important enough that the near-200 country members of the United Nations overwhelmingly adopted an Olympic Truce in 2007. That agreement to stop hostilities for the two-week period of the Olympic Games did not deter the Georgians and the Russians from armed engagement. Suicide bombers in Pakistan were also not bound by the globally accepted compact. The world needs organizations with the teeth to nonviolently sanction those who don’t abide by its standards.

*The Olympics are a showcase for the prowess of attractive, healthy and fit humans of every shape, size, color and gender. Performance is a prerequisite for Olympic competition, which proves that attractiveness need not be a sign of vanity, vapidity or shallowness. The attractiveness of a top performer in any arena is a by-product of the mental, emotional and physical integrity that top-level performance requires.

*The American image that comes across in the Olympic global mix is one of exuberance, health, vitality, competence and good will. It is an image that any nation would be privileged to nurture and foster with the confidence of being assured its grounds for excellence were founded in its appreciation and good use of blessed resources toward good ends.

*The Olympics are a presentation of the world in all its vastness, diversity and glory. Viewership of the events shows Americans are interested in that world beyond their own borders. The NBC network covering the Games reports a 16.3 rating and an average audience of 26.6 million during primetime on a typical weekday night, which is up from a 15.7 rating with 25 million viewers four years ago in Athens.

*NBC’s television coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games has also revealed that America itself has numerous cities and small towns where Olympic-level athletes are trained. In Des Moines, Iowa, for example, American immigrant and Beijing-born Liang Chow coached gymnast Shawn Johnson to a 2008 Olympic gold for nearly ten years. Media anticipation of forthcoming national honors on the global stage can be a tool for America to know itself better.

*Finally, the Olympics show that nationalism is a universal trait, just as is family loyalty, favoritism and support. But the Games also demonstrate that the huge asset of lending power to the individual through the team effort of kinship shines only in the global forum. They prove that cooperative competition stirs the blood from individual events to the outcome of the Games overall.

Helen Fogarassy is the author of a suspense novel, The Midas Maze, about murderous hijinks in UN/US relations. She is also the author of The Light of a Destiny Dark, a novel about the Euro-American cultural gap through Hungarian eyes, and a nonfiction tribute to the UN’s work, Mission Improbable: The World Community on a UN Compound in Somalia.

Here’s a science activity that finds the kids’ entrance to analytic thinking. Classifying and interpreting data go hand in hand with scientific procedure. This activity generates discussion, bolsters confidence, and rings with laughter in the process of analyzing household items.

Here’s what you do:

The activity begins with a data collection adventure. Search around the house with your child for ten things that start with the letter b. After that, search for ten things that start with the letter c. Make a list of the items as you’re going around the house (make sure the lists are labeled).

To make the data hunt more interesting, turn it into a challenge by using a timer. An oven timer will work just fine. Compare the times to determine which set of data was more difficult to collect.

Limitation: items must have weight. Things like blue, bouncy and beautiful are out. Things like boot, ball and bell are in.

Now take your lists to the kitchen table and begin the process of classifying and interpreting the data. Many of the classifications are zany, to say the least. The intention is to bring fun and laughter to the process.

1. Start by asking which item on each list is the smallest. For example, bean might be the smallest item on your first list, and clock might be the smallest item on your second list. Put a check mark next to those items.

2. Ask which of the items are the biggest. Bed might be the biggest item on the first list, and coat might be the biggest item on the second list. Put a square around those items.

3. Can you make a soup out of it? Go down the list and analyze each of the items. Consider the following, for example:

-corn

-cards

-chair

-celery

Can you make a soup out of corn? How about cards? Record your answers.

4. If it were twice as big, could you still use it? Go down the list and analyze each of the items. Consider the following items, for example:

-ball

-boot

-bowl

-brush

Could you still use a ball if it were twice as big? How about a boot? Record your answers.

5. Does Grandma have one in her house? Go down the list and analyze each of the items. Consider the following, for example:

-computer

-cat

-couch

-crown

Does grandma have a computer in her house? How about a cat? Record your answers.

6. If it were green, would you still want it? Go down the list and analyze each of the items. Consider the following, for example:

-banana

-bed

-book

-blouse

Would you want a green banana? How about a green bed? Record your answers.

7. If an elephant sat on it, would it still be any good? Go down the list and analyze each of the items. Consider the following, for example:

-couch

-crayon

-clock

-costume

Would an elephant break your couch? How about a crayon? Record your answers.

8. Is it easy to rhyme? Go down the list and analyze each of the items. Consider the following, for example:

-bell

-button

-broom

-butter

Is bell easy to rhyme? How about button? Record your answers.

9. Would you want ten more? Go down the list and analyze each of the items. Consider the following, for example:

-cat

-clock

-cup

-curtain

Would you want ten more cats? How about ten more clocks? Record your answers.

10. Is it something you might take with you to the zoo? Go down the list and analyze each of the items. Consider the following, for example:

-boots

-brownies

-bottle

-books

Would you consider taking boots to the zoo? How about brownies? Record your answers.

At this point each of your lists should look like a chart. If you used symbols, then make a symbol guide on the bottom corner or back of the paper—the kind you see in the lower corner of a map. For example, if you used G for grandma and 2x for twice as big, then write:

G = grandma

2x = twice as big, etc

This way you can refer to the charts later without struggling to interpret the symbols.

Keep your charts in a folder so that as they accumulate (as you make lists of items that start with different letters) you can compare the data–for example, how long it took to gather each set of items. Or–which list has more of something. For example, 7/10 of the items in list b would break if an elephant sat on them, but only 5/10 items in list c would break. Lastly, don’t overlook the opportunity to compare your answers with what mom, dad or a neighbor thinks. After all, it’s not everybody who’s willing to part with a green boot.

Anthony Vecchioni runs http://spaghettiboxkids.com –a parenting site that offers specific strategies, tips and activities to enhance child learning. Read more About Anthony Vecchioni.

We all want to be happy. But what is happiness? Is it the same for everyone? How do we know if we’re happy? And can anyone be happy all of the time? How can we find happiness? These questions come to mind when we speak of life happiness.

Our perception of life happiness is as individual as the way we perceive hot or cold. It’s sort of the same for all of us, yet it’s different too. No two people are exactly alike, so neither can our description of what makes a life happy be the same.

Webster’s Dictionary says happiness is: A state of well-being and contentment

An online dictionary says happiness is:

1. Characterized by good luck; fortunate

2. Enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, satisfaction, or joy

So, if we use these definitions, in order for us to say we are happy we would be fortunate, showing pleasure and feeling content. That makes sense. Most of the people that we think are happy usually show these characteristics, so lets use this definition and go from there.

Can I have life happiness if I don’t think I’m fortunate? Hmmm, that’s an interesting question isn’t it? Most people are happy when they feel fortunate or blessed by good luck, and most people who feel unfortunate or feel like they have lots of bad luck are unhappy. BUT, perception is everything.

A person can break their leg in a skiing accident (bad luck) and still be happy and smiling because they feel blessed and fortunate (probably because they didn’t break both legs!). They might be happy because they know that their leg will heal, and because they were having such fun skiing (up until they ran into the tree at 100 miles/hour!!)! Get the picture?

Or a person could have what most of us would call good fortune and still seem not to have life happiness. There is an art to happiness, and some of us know it and some of us don’t, but we all can learn.

Is life happiness the same for everyone? Probably not, even though the normal signs of happiness listed above in the dictionary definitions probably show up in every person who is happy. Different things make different people happy, so happiness and the pursuit of happiness cannot be the same.

For example: I am a quiet type of person who loves to work from home and socializes only once or twice a week. You may be a very gregarious person who works in an office full of people and lunches with a different person each day and goes to a party every Saturday evening.

We’re both happy, but our lifestyles are very different. Besides that, what you view as something that would produce happiness may not be a priority for me. Maybe it makes you happy to go on wonderful ski vacations twice a year. It might make me happy to go on wonderful vacations in my back yard and to squirrel my money away. Both situations are right, and we are both happy.

How do you know if you’re happy? The best way to tell if you are happy is to ask yourself how you are feeling. Really feeling. Do you feel at ease, relaxed and OK with how things are going on a pretty consistent basis? Then you’re probably happy. Feel your body. Is your body relaxed, does it feel calm? You’re probably happy.

Remember, happiness doesn’t come from anywhere but inside. If you are in tune with what is right for you, you will be happy. If you are trying to live someone else’s definition of authentic happiness, you probably won’t be.

Can anyone have authentic happiness all the time? Yes! Well, OK, if a terrible tragedy strikes, you probably won’t be happy at that time. But, you can work through the tragedy and the accompanying emotions knowing that life happiness can and will return when you’ve taken time to properly allow healing. Otherwise, yes. You can be happy all the time. Maybe not jumping up and down and laughing happy every moment, but peaceful content happy, certainly, and that’s equally valuable. Life’s small irritants come and go each and every day.

We have a choice whether we greet them with a calm smile or with an angry frown. Either is fine, but the calm smile will help you navigate life in a more happy state of being, and help you find happiness on a consistent basis. Remember, the art of happiness has a lot to do with perception.

Recent research shows what many of us have long suspected. Happiness, and the pursuit pg oy has more to do with an individual’s perception and what’s going on inside that person, than money, fame, or power. Even though those things may bring a feeling that is like happiness, it is attached to those things. Real happiness is much more attached to how a person perceives life. Luckily, if you are the type of person who has a “glass half empty” outlook on life, you can learn to have a “glass half full” attitude which will gain you happiness.

Winsome’s special topics include Personal Development, Setting goals, Life Happiness and self growth

For free e-books, tools and information about Life Happiness go to:

http://www.4lifeselfhelp.com

Your wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding, but if you’re not careful, they can they can quickly cut into your budget. Luckily there are many options available that convey your sense of style and set the tone for your wedding - and are also very affordable.

INVITATIONS

Your invitations reflect the tone of your wedding, whether it’s black tie or casual chic. More formal weddings may require more formal invitations, which are traditionally white or ecru and engraved with black or charcoal ink. A square of tissue paper is also inserted to protect the type. While classic and understated, the cost of these invitations can quickly add up to the purchase price of a small car, but with slightly better gas mileage. What’s a budget-minded bride to do?

More and more couples are veering from standard invitations and choosing papers in unusual sizes and colors, incorporating interesting textures and using graphics, motifs and monograms. Many couples are also doing away with the traditional unsealed inner envelope, which not only reduces costs, but also reduces waste. And besides, how many of your guests are going to remember how many components were included in their invitation? (Hint: if you DO have guests who will notice, seat them all together so they can drive each other crazy)

Another option is to purchase materials to create your own invitations. Thanks to the popularity of scrapbooking and paper stores, it’s never been easier to create unique and memorable wedding invitations. Do you and your guy have a favorite color, song, vacation destination or hobby? Don’t be afraid to incorporate it into your invitations. Your guests would rather see a heartfelt invitation than have to discard the tissue paper that protects a random printer’s work. (Not that there’s anything wrong with using a printer. But hey…the cost of those little sheets really adds up!)

At this point, you might be saying, “But traditional IS my style! How can I afford it?” Put those fears to rest, girl! Make some “test” invitations on plain paper, playing with font size and type, then purchase blank cards and matching envelopes (which are available at scrapbooking and hobby stores and mass retailers nationwide) to print the real deal.

No matter what kind of invitation you choose, be sure to mail them 8-10 weeks prior to your wedding so your guests have time to plan…and to shop for a really awesome gift!

WAIT…THERE’S MORE

Remember when you were a little girl and you dreamed about your perfect wedding, right down to the invitations? Why didn’t anyone tell us about the reply cards? Or the reception cards? Why are there so many cards?

Response Cards Response cards are usually sent with your invitations and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. These are used to help determine how many people will be attending and usually include menu options for your guests to choose from. But I’m going to tell you a secret: you can create your own reply cards. Just purchase small cards with matching envelopes, print them yourself and then insert them into the invitations when you are addressing them. Best of all, you can do this whether you’re making your own invitations or having them professionally printed.

Reception Cards Reception cards are included inside wedding invitations to let guests know when and where the post-wedding festivities will begin. Traditionally, this is a small card that asks guests to join the newlyweds and their families for a celebratory reception, and gives the date, place, and time. But remember the “Response Cards” secret I revealed above? It works here, too! Print them yourself or even (gasp) print the reception information inside the invitation itself. It will give your guests one less thing to keep track of and save you lots of money.

AND EVEN MORE…

Believe it or not, there are still other paper-related items to think about.

Wedding Programs Sure, wedding programs provide useful information and make charming mementos, but there’s no need to break the bank. While some couples choose to do a booklet type program, budget-minded couples are using simple card stock with a vellum overlay, tied together with a ribbon that matches your color scheme. Others are simply printing them at home (or a friend’s home) on unique paper that plays up the wedding colors or motif. After all, how many people (besides your closest friends and family) are going to keep it as a memento? They’d rather you use the money you saved on programs to help with your honeymoon expenses, make a car payment or buy a lottery ticket.

Menu Cards The idea behind menu cards is that no one likes to sit down to a meal when they have no idea what they’re about to be served (think school cafeterias). However, this can easily be combined with the Reply Card (see above). And of course if the meal is buffet-style, menu cards are not really necessary, since there is usually something to please everyone.

If you do feel that menu cards are necessary, it’s simple to print them yourself…just pick up some good old card stock. If there’s a good story behind why you chose a certain dish (you’re serving New York Style cheesecake because you met in New York or hot dogs because you met at a ball game), including this story adds a unique element to your menu cards.

One thing that may be very helpful to all involved (you, the caterer, the bartender and your guests) is to create a drink card or two. If you’re limiting the open bar to a certain amount or type of drink, a drink card is the perfect place to spell that out. Just get an easel or frame so the card can be posted at the bar.

Place Cards Are you having a buffet-type meal at your reception? If so, skip this section, since place cards are not necessary. For the rest of you, place cards are tent-shaped cards that are placed at each place setting to show people where they should sit. You can easily print them from your home computer, but why not make the place cards for your reception a little unique? Make your wedding favors do double-duty by attaching a name tag to each one and using them as place cards. If you’re making your own favors, it only adds one simple step, but saves you money in the long run. You can also use stones with hand-painted names or tie name tags around wrapped silverware. Use your imagination! Place cards don’t necessarily have to be one more job for the printer.

Thank You Cards Ok, brides. You all know what these are, and there’s really no need to have them printed. Simple thank you cards are readily available almost anywhere, and as a bonus, most of them even say “thank you.” Your handwritten message inside is what’s important, so invest most of your time there. As a reminder, these should be sent out no later than one month after your honeymoon. If you receive gifts prior to the wedding, those thank you cards should be sent out immediately.

Save the Date Cards What? No really…I didn’t know what these were. Here’s the scoop: save the date cards are sent to guests pretty much the second after the groom pops the question, so that guests can plan ahead. If you send out your announcements 8-10 weeks prior to your wedding, there is probably no need for save the date cards. However, if you have friends or relatives who will be traveling great distances (especially from other countries), a little heads-up would be nice. However, this can be done by greeting card, letter or phone call. That should be sufficient to “save the date.” If you do feel that you need to send save the date cards, you can easily make them yourself.

IN A NUTSHELL

Creating your own invitations and other stationery items can save you lots of money, freeing up your wedding budget for other things. Just keep a couple of things in mind:

• If you are printing pieces yourself, try to use a consistent or complementary font on all of the pieces you create.
• Before addressing invitations, be sure to have complete addresses available. This will help reduce the number of mistakes made during the addressing process. (The less mistakes you make, the fewer invitations you have to use. This saves money!)
• You don’t have to do it all yourself. Your family and friends will be more than willing to help create, print and assemble your invitations and other items. After all, isn’t that what you keep them around for?

With a little imagination and a lot of determination, your budget-friendly wedding invitations will be just as beautiful as big-budget invitations, but at a fraction of the cost.

Heather L. Clark is a Web researcher and writer. In her spare time, she enjoys pilates, music and Seinfeld reruns. Check out her favorite resources for planning a fairy tale wedding, free wedding planning tools and wedding planning checklists.