How to Fill Out Birthday Invitations Like a Pro: Step-by-Step Guide + Tips

Date

Oct 17, 2024

Category

Parties

Reading time

5 MIN

Whether it’s for your child’s big day, a milestone celebration, or a casual get-together, invitations are essential for setting the tone and getting your guests excited for the big day. Still, let’s be honest—coming up with the perfect invitation can feel like a bit much for anyone.

They seem simple enough, right? Until you sit down and suddenly forget everything you’ve ever known about parties. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there! No matter if you’re a parent, event planner, or simply someone hosting a party, the last thing you want is to end up with a poorly made invitation. 

Luckily for you, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about filling out birthday invitations. So, get cozy, grab a drink, and let’s make your invites stand out—while keeping your sanity intact! Plus, if you’re looking to save time, you can check out our online invitation maker.  

What to Include on Birthday Invitations

Information About the Event

A well-crafted invitation doesn’t just celebrate the birthday boy/girl/adult; it also gives your guests all those tiny details they will actually ask about. Think of it like party planning insurance, so your annoying cousins won’t bombard you with texts asking for every bit of information about the event.

Date and Time of the Party

This might be the most important part of your invitation. Be sure to add the full date and time and keep it clear. Something like “Saturday, October 5th, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM” is something everyone can understand.

Location of the Party

Include the full address of the venue, whether it’s your home, a park, or a rented space. If it’s a tricky location to find, adding a Google Maps link is a cool tip that can save your guests some trouble. No one wants to pick up their lost grandpa on the other side of town on their big day!

RSVP Details

You’ll need to know who’s coming so you can plan accordingly. Be sure to include your phone number and email, or use an online invitation with RSVP. Depending on the event, request guests to RSVP at least one to two weeks before the event so you have enough time to prepare.

Special Instructions

If your party has a theme, specific dress code, or any other special instructions, remember to add those details. For example: “Don’t forget your favorite singer costume!” or “Please let us know if you or your child have any food allergies.

Party Details

Now you’ve covered the basics, but sometimes, simply adding a bit more information can help make your party run smoother. Of course, these details are optional, so feel free to include any of them if you think they’re relevant.

  • Let them know what they are in for! Is it a surprise party? A milestone birthday? A pool party? This should be crystal clear on the evite.

  • If there’s a theme, make sure the vibe is there. To make the designing stage simpler, you can look up your party theme on the invitation tool search box!

  • If you’ve got something special planned—like a bounce house, magician, or karaoke—mention it to get guests excited.

  • Will you be offering snacks, a meal, or just cake and drinks? Guests will want to know if they need to stop at a drive-thru first.

  • What about the weather? If you’re hosting an outdoor event, provide a backup plan in case the rain decides to make an unexpected appearance.

  • You can include directions, bank details (for gifts), or any other information so your guests have it all at hand.

Create your invitation for free

Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Out the Invitation

Step 1: First, the Basics

Start with the who, what, where, and when. Clearly state who the party is for, the type of event, the time, and the location. You got this!

Step 2: Add a Personal Touch

A little creativity goes a long way. Sprinkle in some flair with a fun message, quote, or anything that reflects the theme or mood of your party. Personalize the invite based on the guest of honor’s personality.

Step 3: RSVP Information

Whether you prefer guests to RSVP via phone, email, or online, make sure the process is simple. If you’re using PartyClick’s RSVP form, the link will make it easy for guests to respond quickly.

Step 4: Don’t forget to proofread

Before sending the invitations, double-check all the details. Look for typos, incorrect dates, or missing information—no one wants an invitation that says “Starts at 10 am” instead of 10 pm!

Birthday Invitation Message Examples

Using catchy phrases and fun designs related to the party theme can make your invitation stand out. Remember: keep it interesting to impress all your guests (Why not throw in a little FOMO while you’re at it?). For extra inspiration, check out our guide for invitation wording ideas.

Kids’ Birthday Parties

Outdoor Adventure

Go for earthy tones (greens, browns) with illustrations of mountains, tents, and animals. An example text could be: “Get ready for an adventure! Join [kid’s Name] as we explore the great outdoors for their birthday!”

Superhero Party

Go for speech bubbles for the information and add some with action words like "Pow!" or "Zap!" to give the invitation a fun, comic-strip feel. To add to the superhero vibe, you could write: “Suit up and join us for an epic birthday bash!”

Fun Picnic

Bright and cheerful colors like yellow, green, and sky blue set the stage for a playful outdoor picnic that will get kids off their phones. Add a fun phrase like: “Pack your blanket, sunscreen, and frisbee, and join us for [Name]’s Birthday Picnic.”



Adult Birthday Party

Black-Tie Event

A formal black-and-white or gold color scheme sets the stage for a black-tie affair. Check out PartyClick’s elegant templates for this occasion. An example could be: “You’re cordially invited to an evening of elegance. Join us for a night of fine dining and celebration.”

Milestone Party

This invitation should focus on celebrating the milestone, with bold typography highlighting the age. You could write something more meaningful like “Join us for an evening of fine dining, great company, and memories to last a lifetime.”

Themed Parties

Pool Party

Wording can be a great way to give your invite a cool summer vibe. For example, you could say, “Make a Splash! Join Us for [Name]’s Birthday Pool Party!” Consider using our pool party template to convey the fun nature of the event.

Murder Mystery Birthday Party

Set the mysterious murdery mood with a vintage style on your invitation. Pick a design that includes magnifying glasses, detective hats, or candles to create a sense of intrigue for your guests. Some fun phrase examples are: "You're Invited to a Killer Party" and “The clock is ticking! Join us for [Name]’s Murder Mystery Birthday.

Location Parties

Escape Room Birthday Party

This party theme is all about mystery and tension. Go for a design with dark colors like deep blue and black, accented by metallic gold, silver, or red. Add mystery to the invitation with a tag like this: “Can you solve the mystery? Join us for an escape room birthday adventure! Put your problem-solving skills to the test as we unlock the fun!”

Go-Kart Racing

For a go-kart birthday invitation, include checkered flags, racing stripes, and bright colors. Phrases like “Start your engines,” “Let’s race to celebrate,” and “Get ready to zoom into [Name]’s birthday party” really add to the theme's vibe.

Arcade Birthday Party

Go for a style with colorful, retro designs and bright neon shades that can capture the fun atmosphere of an arcade. Use emojis of arcade machines, pixel art, and game controllers to create a nostalgic feel. You can write a fun phrase like: “Press Start for an Epic Party!" Join us this Sunday for [Name]’s epic birthday at the arcade. Game on!”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving Out Key Details

Always double-check to ensure you’ve included the key details: date, time, location, and RSVP info, which are crucial to your guests. It might sound obvious, but it’s easy to get caught up in the design and forget the basics.

Overcomplicating the Design

It can be tempting to go all out with colors, words, and images, but a card too bright will blind your guests! Keeping the design clean and easy to read is always the best call.

Including Irrelevant Information

Similarly to the previous tip, avoid cluttering your invitation. Try to stick to what’s important for your guests to know. Too much information can be overwhelming and make the invite look messy.

Extra Tip: Think as Your Guests!

Ask yourself, “What would I want to know if I were receiving this invitation?” For example, is the party indoors or outdoors? Should I bring anything? By thinking from the perspective of your guests, you’ll avoid missing any important details.

Time-Saving Tips and Templates

Creating birthday invitations doesn’t have to take hours of your time. With PartyClick’s online invitation maker, you can have your invitations ready in minutes. Here are a few ways to save time:

  • Add a personal touch with themed graphics or photos. Choose from a variety of templates that you can customize quickly and easily.

  • Tailor your invites with specific messages for your guests. Then, you can let PartyClick’s RSVP system do the work for you by automatically tracking responses.

  • Build excitement for the event with PartyClick’s photo album feature. Your guests will be able to easily upload and share their favorite pictures from the party, and you’ll get your own behind-the-scene footage!


Bonus Track: Make Your Invitations Stand Out

You might think that all birthday cards are practically the same, but that doesn’t have to be the case. The key is to think outside the box. Do you want to take your invites to the next level? Just some simple pointers can do the trick.

  • Use custom graphics, photos, & quotes to add a personal touch. PartyClick’s designs and quotes make it easy to add features that match your party’s vibe.

  • Nail the tone. Whether it’s playful for kids, casual for a family gathering, or formal for a more upscale event, we have many options to match any mood, helping you set the perfect tone.

  • Appeal to your public by tailoring your invites with specific messages. PartyClick lets you easily customize every detail, making each evite feel special.


Design outstanding invites for free

Fill out birthday invitations in an instant with PartyClick

Creating the perfect birthday invitation doesn’t have to be a hassle. PartyClick has you covered with customizable templates, integrated RSVP tracking, and design options to suit any theme. Our digital invitations take the stress out of planning, letting you focus on the fun. Get your invitations sent in just a few clicks and start counting down to the big day!

Start crafting your invitation now!

FAQs

What to write on a birthday invitation?

A birthday invitation should include the key details: date, time, location, and RSVP instructions. After covering the basics, you can personalize the message to reflect the party's theme or mood.

How should a birthday invitation look?

A birthday invitation should align with the party's theme and be visually appealing. The design should be easy to read, clear, and informative while also conveying the vibe of the event.

Should you mention a dress code on birthday invitations?

Yes, if the party has a specific dress code, such as formal or themed attire, it should be mentioned in the invitation to help guests prepare. 

How can you write an invitation to a child's party where you want the parents to stay?

Simply state in the invitation that parents and caregivers are welcome to join. You can also mention activities suitable for both kids and adults to make it clear they are part of the event. 

How to answer a birthday invitation?

If the invitation includes an RSVP method, be sure to respond as shown. Remember to include any relevant information for the hosts, such as dietary restrictions or queries about the event.

Kate Tyshchenko