For a mishmash invitation to a Wacky Party, glue the birthday child's face and some goofy details to pink paper, and photocopy. When guests arrive, hand out wild pink wigs and mustaches to wear for the party.

If you're throwing a Tea Party birthday party, make invitations that bear blossoms made with apple stamps. Cut an apple in half horizontally, remove seeds, and cut wedges from the sides to create shape. Brush with acrylic paint, and stamp onto kraft paper.

For a Bouncy Party, gather your child's "circle" of friends with an invitation in the round. We printed details onto store-bought circular cards made for ink-jet printers, affixed stripes with glue (use the edge of a bowl as a template), and joined them with paper fasteners.

For a Spa-Themed party invitation, each guest receives a sleep mask in the mail along with a gift certificate that's good for one spa evening.

A Carnival Party invitation is made with striped wrapping paper, construction paper, round stickers, tiny clothespins, and tickets. Party details are written on the back.

For a Fiesta Party, glue crepe-paper fringe to blank notecards for invitations; use rubber stamps to state the occasion.

To invite friends to a Sprinkler Party, use picture window cards with envelopes, cellophane bags that fit inside cards, plain paper, blue vellum, scissors, a scallop-edge rotary cutter, and photo corners. We added a favor -- a cellophane "fortune fish" -- to each. Design invitations on a computer, print them out, then cut them to fit in the cellophane bags. Cut the vellum to desired size (to overlay some writing), cutting the top with a scallop cutter. Slip the cards and vellum into cellophane bags; place bags in the cards behind the windows, and secure them with photo corners. Tuck them into envelopes.

For a Pixie Party, wrap kraft paper around glittered twigs and secure with glue.

Hint at a Flower Power party's theme with balloon invitations. To make, punch six holes in a store-bought card -- one in the center and five surrounding it. Starting at the center, weave a long balloon through the holes; tie them off inside the card and trim excess. Thread a green balloon through four punched holes to make a stem and leaf.

For a Space Odyssey party, glue an 8 1/2-by-5 1/2-inch sheet of blue construction paper to silver paper. Fold long ends to middle. Trace the template on folded paper; cut out. Add flag sticker; seal flaps with sticker of child's age.

Set a playful tone for summer parties with lantern-themed invitations. Start by penciling lines for "ropes" on plain cards. Punch holes with a tack every 1/2 inch; erase lines. Using knotted embroidery floss, sew running stitches along each line, then double back, filling in spaces between stitches. With pinking shears, cut "lanterns" from wide-striped grosgrain ribbon. Cut "tassels" from colored paper; fold in half. Affix lanterns and tassels with a glue stick; write message.

A fishing-themed party that includes these invitations, gummy-worm decorations, favors, a wooden-fish painting project, and a fish-shaped chocolate cake studded with candy wafers is sure to make a big splash.

An artfully rendered invitation sets the tone for the event to come. Be sure to choose a design that complements the party's theme.