By Shiloah Baker

So, you were called into the calling of Home, Family and Personal Enrichment?…Congratulations! Since all well attended and spectacular events begin with the invitation, here are ten things NOT to do when putting together invitations for your ward or stake.

1. Do not put “we’re not telling”, especially when it comes to a Stake or large organized activity for Enrichment. It suggests either you are not organized or that no one would want to come if they knew.
2. Do not hand out black and white, plain, crooked cut invitations. They will become scratch paper and rarely will be put “up” to remind the sister’s of the activity- it’s not catchy and will most likely be quickly forgotten.
3. Do not use it as a way to chastise or as your soapbox. (i.e. Because of the fact that no one showed up for nursery last HFPE and the misbehaved children we will no longer have nursery.)
4. Do not include long lists of needed items. Make it short and to the point. For long lists, either offer to email it or have the sisters meet you later for a copy.
5. Do not make them too big. Keep them small enough that they can be slipped into a purse, bag, or scripture case. Something too big can be torn before it reaches home.
6. Do not do too much. Don’t go through so much labor to create an invitation that will be used once. Have fun…but don’t spend hours!
7. Do not forget the important details! Things like date, time, and place are just as important as the new and amazing classes that will be taught.
8. Do not overdo or under do it. Generate some excitement, but don’t sound like a car salesman. On the flip side, do not bore them to sleep while they are reading it. Both may produce a low attendance.
9. Do not forget the theme. Do not put unrelated clip-art on an invitation with a certain theme. Keep their interest and show them from the beginning that it is well organized.
10. Do not forget what a USEFUL tool invitations can be in getting a good attendance!

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Shiloah Baker a homeschooling mom of seven and is an entrepreneur who runs the Homemaking Cottage & Co., an online business which sells books, eBooks, ideas, LDS related materials, and a special subscription service. For more information go to: http://www.homemaking-cottage.com