Evites: Tacky Or Smart?

Rating: 5 after 2 votes

I just received another Evite in my email box today, and to be honest I’m not sure I really like them.

I realize we live in a day and age of the electronic communication, but I think it’s gotten ridiculous! We all text, IM, Facebook, email, etc. and none of it is verbally or face to face (which is pretty funny that the name is “FACEbook”)and it certainly isn’t by “snail mail” much.

And THIS is where the Evite comes in. I don’t know of anyone who hasn’t received one yet (except maybe my mom and dad), but basically they are invitations for parties celebrating anything from birthdays and holidays to anniversaries. You go to the “evite” link that is sent to your email (taking you to the evite site and to the specific event) and you click on the r.s.v.p. that usually says something like “attending”, “not-attending” or “maybe”. (Could you just IMAGINE putting a “maybe” on a written invitation?)

To me, the only real “pro” here for Evites is to help the environment by saving some trees. And in all honesty, isn’t it just as bad for the environment all the computer usage? Just a thought.

Personally, I don’t much care for evites. I know they’re convenient for the person sending them, and sure, it makes it much quicker to RSVP (that’s hoping it doesn’t end up in your spam!). But I just think it’s the easy way out and is a bit tacky, really. Unless you’re on a tight budget, then I understand. Invitations can be expensive. But Walgreens and Rite-Aid have some pretty, inexpensive and impressive invites, and if you’re throwing a party, I believe invitations are something that should be put into the budget.

Let’s face it! Invitations set the beginning mood for the party! And do you really want to set your mood with a generic evite?

The only party I think an evite might, MIGHT, work for would be a child’s birthday party. Only because unless it’s a big birthday, like the first, or the 16th, then it can be treated as a more fun, light-hearted event, so I do believe that an evite might work in that circumstance.

But all in all, I’m not a fan of the Evite. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want you to stop inviting me to your parties! LOL!

Thoughts?

Judi D.
http://www.lipsticknlaundry.com/

Tags: evites, family, invitations, kids, manners, moms, parties

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lisa Hamilton on March 9, 2009 at 5:33am: I love evites! They make things so much easier for me, both when having a party, and to RSVP. Paper invitations get lost around here, evites don't. We throw a big party every spring where we invite about 50 families. I can't imagine writing out all those invitations, especially for a casual, drop in party like we have.

Thumbs way up for Evites from me!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tricia Meyer on March 9, 2009 at 5:37am: I'm another fan of the evite. I have never used them for something like a baby shower or wedding, but I do like them for things like Pampered Chef parties, BBQs, Bunko, etc. To me, they take the place of just sending an email or doing word of mouth. For example, we would just tell our friends when our 4th of July party is going to be or send them an email. Now I can have a festive little page with all of the information and keep track on it who is coming.

Times are changing. While tradition is nice, so is being green and saving money.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lynn Epstein on March 9, 2009 at 6:21am: I am a fan of evites. In addition to the eco-friendly aspects (no waste, no stamps, no carbon footprint, etc) I think the amount of customization and creativity you can add to the invitation. While a *milestone* event might be worthy of printed and mailed invitations - there are so many other events, parties and gathering that are ideal for an evite. Think about the money and resources saved by using evites for your affinity group gathering, Super Bowl Parties, book clubs, etc.

It's the email thank you note that drives me around the bend. There are some occasions which call for a written note of thanks, condolence or just to reach out to your friends and family.

Lynn
www.mamasays.us
www.mamasays.us/blog; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cyndi Lopez on March 9, 2009 at 6:21am: I love Evites for small casual get-togethers (poker parties, kids' b-day parties, adult b-day party at home, a bar or restaurant etc.). I'm unorganized and paper intivtes tend to get overlooked at my house. I do agree that if it's a more formal or large party then traditional invites are the way to go.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Briana on March 9, 2009 at 6:47am: I prefer to receive and send evites. They make is so much easier to RSVP and see who else is coming. It also saves money for postage.

I get enough mail at home and paper invitations just get lost in my house so I much prefer evites to receive them. Though, everyone is entitled to their opinion! If someone doesn't come to our event because of the type of invitation I sent, then I guess they aren't really friends or people I care to be friends with anyway.

I only send and receive evites from people I have everyday contact with anyway. It is usually for the kid's birthday parties and my family doesn't really care how they get the invitation. Wedding invites - that is probably tacky unless it is very informal.

Now Facebook invites are another story! I get one of those every day for some silly event. Those drive me nuts!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Melinda Roberts on March 9, 2009 at 6:49am: I'm so glad you wrote about this - I've been torn about this as well. The younger the child, the more likely a paper invite will be used. I have three, and notice that the older ones often get email or evites. I recently used very cool Mac birthday templates (build into their email) and people seemed to like that.

It depends on your routines- I spend more time in front of the computer than in front of the fridge, and I'm constantly either burying invites under other things with the magnets or losing them under the fridge. So! I'm building a site with invite templates for children's birthdays. Just that. Super cute, and I'll be able to just whip one out when my child has a birthday. I may as well share them, right? No charge. Trying to get it launched before *drum roll* I go on Oprah this Wednesday!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Anita Donovan on March 9, 2009 at 7:38am: I like using the e-vite because you get a better response rate. Most people will look at their e-mails on a daily basis and will respond as soon as it is opened. Many forget to call by the RSVP date and it is not always easy to contact everyone by phone to find out if they are coming. I like the fact that is sends out the reminders. I will send out paper invitations to family and anyone special that is being invited. I do not use for children's party or big events.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nicki Laycoax on March 9, 2009 at 7:39am: I personally like Evites. I like that you can see who else will be attending the party, that it eliminates paper waste, and that they are tastefully stylish...

So I think they're smart. :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kristen Doyle on March 9, 2009 at 8:08am: I love Evites. As someone who entertains frequently and who likes to have "parties for no occassion", evites are perfect. They are quick, convenient, I can see if the recipient received it and the RSVP's can be done instantly.
We have a lot of parties where people bring things and using evite makes it a dynamic experience where the other people invited can see what has already been chosen to be brought and we end up with less duplicates.

I also think that when other people can see who is on the guest list, it might entice them more to come (or not come...depending on the guests :

I'm a huge evite fan... wouldn't use them for something huge like a formal wedding or party, but for those not so big events, evite is the way to go!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Browngirl on March 9, 2009 at 9:27am: I really like them but only for birthdays or something not very formal like a wedding. I think if I wanted to send an e-thank you, I could manage that on my own without going through a website. That is a bit much, but they are so cute. As many have already stated, this is the "e" age. Because so many have become e-communicators, it is easier for the recipient to keep track of these things with an e-vite than a mailed invite. And I don't feel like my efforts going into a paper invite are in vain if the person can't attend or mistakenly tosses it in the trash--yes, that has happened. However, it is still sweet to get a snail mail invitation.

browngirl
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Permalink Reply by Abigail Tuller on March 9, 2009 at 9:48am: I've never liked them myself, until last week. I decided I wanted a 40th birthday party and trying to get my husband, sister in law, and sister to mobilize on the invitations would've been a deal breaker. Instead I made a quick spreadsheet and mailed it off to them; the evites went out 20 minutes later. We're also reconsidering the location of the party and with an evite we can do that with virtually no effort. Yay, let's party!

Two items I swear I'll never go digital on: thank you notes and birth announcements. :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Babette on March 9, 2009 at 3:04pm: I to think that with the world of technology we are now getting to the point where nothing is personal anymore. I feel sad that people would rather send an email, or text or send an evite rather then make a lunch date to see that person or pick up the phone and talk, and worst of all not send a card or invite via good old snail mail. I have my own business and it relies on people keeping traditions, I make hand-made cards and invitations. I still believe in this and will continue to fight for people going back to basics.

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