Celebrating The Computer Age: How Your Computer Can Help You Party-Plan

Your trusty computer can reveal a world of possibilities for doing up your next party with a bit of festivity and flair -- from customized invitations and artwork to personalized table decorations. So boot up and unleash your inner artiste...

• Invitations. Invitations can be expensive, and call us old-fashioned, but we still prefer to send out paper invites instead of emails. Use your computer to create cool and cost-effective invitations. Experiment with interesting fonts, symbols, colors, and layouts to make something truly unique. Search online at sites like Impress Rubber Stamps for inspiration. Once you have your design, print on nice paper and glue onto colorful, patterned background paper for a snazzy layered look. You can also add embellishments such as dried flower buds, rubber stamps, or bows (the scrapbooking aisle at your local craft store is a virtual goldmine). You don't have to be crafty, just creative!
• Artwork. The next time you're throwing a birthday bash for someone, use your computer to doctor up childhood photos. Scan your favorites and use a simple program like iPhoto to make them sepia, black and white, or tinted to a fun hue like hot pink. Then put them on a disc and take them to your local copy center to have large poster-size blow-ups made. Mount on foam-core board and display as unique art pieces throughout the house.
• Menus. Create a booklet-style menu for a dinner party. Print out appetizer, soup, main course, dessert, and wine selections on separate pages, then cut them to create a small 4x6" booklet. Bind the pages together by punching holes along one edge and securing with ribbon or brads.
• Place Settings. Print each guest's name on textured paper to create personalized place cards. Choose a font to fit the theme of your gathering, whether it's retro, feminine, or funky. We also love to make paper napkin rings by typing up a favorite saying and printing it on heavy paper, then cutting into strips and gluing. You can even create your own placemats -- print a design on paper and have it laminated at your local copy shop.

Once you're comfortable with your computer, experiment with more advanced party crafts. Make mini-scrapbooks as favors for a 40th birthday... or "coloring books" for a child's party. Plug in and play around -- the possibilities are endless!