I can't believe that Thanksgiving is already over. Now that the big meal has been eaten, it's time to start planning holiday parties! To kick off our holiday coverage, I am putting together a Hanukkah party. Instead of the traditional dinner, my party is a late lunch consisting of a delicious and hearty menu. But before I get carried away with menu planning, I have to send the invites. Download our Hanukkah festival of lights invite or make one like the dreidel shaped invite — it doubles as a festive decoration! — seen here. To see how I made it, read more

To make a similar style invite you will need:

• cardstock in two different tones
• glitter
• glue
• old newspaper
• pencil
• foil
• scissors
• hole punch
• ribbon
• computer and printer
• menorah image
• dreidel template

To assemble the invite:

1. Start by creating a new Word document on the computer. Drag the menorah image into the document. Arrange the text around the menorah. Include all of the details of the party. On mine, I used Monotype Corsiva in size 16, text color navy blue and wrote the following message:
   

   You’re Invited…

   Please join me for a late lunch
   to celebrate Hanukkah
   Saturday, December 10, 2007
   2:00 in the afternoon

   PartySugar’s House, San Francisco
   Rsvp 415.555.5555

   Print out a test copy and check spelling and grammar. Once satisfied with the look of the invite print out on the cardstock. I used a sparkling silver cardstock for mine. Set aside.



2. Using the dreidel template, trace the shape onto the cardstock and cut the invite and the backing cardstock down to size.



3. Cut the foil down to the same shape as the dreidel. Cut into strips.



4. Place the backing dreidel on a surface covered with newspaper. Tape several strips of foil to the newspaper covering part of the dreidel.



5. Brush the glue on, covering both the foil and dreidel.



6. Sprinkle the glitter over the top and shake to remove excess. Let the glitter dry.



7. Remove the foil. Punch a hole in the top corner of both sides of the invite.



8. Slide the ribbon through the hole and wrap around the top of the dreidel. Tie a knot to create a loop so guests can later use the invite as a decoration if desired.



9. Gently place in an envelope, address in your best handwriting, and send to the guests.