The Art of Appreciation

Even in today's high-tech, instant-results culture, there is still nothing like receiving a hand-written note. No matter what your thoughts are regarding proper etiquette, it is always proper to send someone a note of appreciation. Pre-written thank-you notes and emailed thank-yous just don't cut it. Something is to be said for taking time out to write a personal message, address the envelope and buy a stamp and, then, dropping the note in the mail.

Not only do written notes make a bigger impression, but they also make a longer-lasting impression. How many times do you save a handwritten note as compared to keeping an email of the same nature? Hard copies of letters from parents, grandparents and inspiring people are much easier to pass along to the next generation. Michele, who's father passed away suddenly when she was 20, would have hardly any remembrance of his writing if it weren't for the letters he wrote to her. Emails just don't carry the same sentiment...nor are they as pretty. :)

Business Birthdays

It is no secret that this is Papers Unique's 40th year in business. We are so thankful for all the loyal customers the Lord Jesus has given to us. You can call it our anniversary or birthday, but the truth is you cannot really send a card to a business - well, I guess, you technically can - because it is just a place and not a person. You can, however, celebrate the people who work and shop there. (Now, I am not asking for you to send us cards - although you can if you want! :). Wouldn't it be cool if the businesses themselves celebrated their staff members and their customers? We have a customer who is a business owner that is doing just that. He sends personalized birthday cards and anniversary cards to his customers every month. He orders the cards from us, sends us the name to put on the front and we print them in one to two business days for him to send out. Isn't that a great idea? Do you have a business or know of a business that is interested in blessing its employees or the people it serves in this way? We can help! We have hundreds of card designs to choose from and our turn-around time is the fastest in Louisville. Plus, who doesn't love a note of good wishes on their birthday!

Indulge in a Sweet Summer Treat!

July is National Ice Cream Month. Very fitting. Who doesn't want a cold, sweet treat on these steamy summer days? There is a great way to celebrate this month-long occasion: hold an ice cream social! What better way to hang out with your friends than bonding over ice cream! You could have an Ice Cream Sundae Bar with all the good stuff (hot fudge, sprinkles, nuts, fruit) or just keep it simple with waffle cones and a carton of ice cream. Don't miss out on a great excuse to indulge in some frozen, yummy goodness!

Sip and See

Over the last few weeks, we have been focusing on new types of baby showers. I definitely feel like I am in the middle of a baby boom. We have had all kinds of women in Papers Unique who are either expecting a baby or throwing a shower for a friend that is expecting one. Most of us, when we plan a baby shower, we try to find a date before the baby's due date, but have you thought about throwing one after the baby is born? This type of shower is like a meet and greet for baby and it is called a Sip and See. The event is as its name suggests - meet the new little bundle of joy while sipping on a drink. While it is common to offer alcoholic drinks like wine and champagne, soda, tea and coffee can also be provided to "sip" on. This type of shower is a growing trend and gives the new mommy a chance to show of her precious gift from the Lord.

Just a Sprinkle

Last week we were all about Granny Showers and this week we are going to continue the Baby Shower Theme. What do you do when you want to throw a shower for someone who is having their 2nd or 3rd or 8th child? What if the Mommy-to-be has all boys and is having her first girl? Baby showers are technically only for first-time moms, but there is a way you can still bless a repeat-mom with what she needs for her newest addition. Have a Baby Sprinkle! Unlike a full-blown baby shower where the new parents are starting from scratch, the purpose of a baby sprinkle is to "sprinkle" them with the basic things they need to welcome the next member of their family (diapers, clothes).

A New Kind of Baby Shower

We have had several customers come in looking for baby shower invitations during these past few days. Baby showers are a great way to celebrate these precious new lives and their families. There is a growing trend in throwing baby showers that extends past blessing the new mommy and daddy to helping preparing the grandparents as well. It is called a Granny or Grandma Shower. A grandma's first baby shower is designed to shower her with everything she will need to do her job well - which is primarily to spoil her grandchild! Our own Michele had a Granny Shower last fall to prepare her for Baby Kayley (who is now 6 months old!). This was the invitation:

Save this Summer with Crane!

As many of you know, Crane is the absolute best in personal stationery. Their paper is made of 100% cotton, which makes it both high quality and environmentally friendly. This summer Crane is running a couple of fantastic promotion and we are proud to offer them to you!

First, for the very first time, you can purchase a 50-piece set of personalized Crane stationery for only $59 (plus shipping and tax). This is a savings of $45 or more! You can choose from a variety of pre-designed folded notes, flat card or letter sheets. This is an excellent price for Crane!

Second, Crane has extended their Buy 75, Get 25 Free Stationery Sale. This promotion allows you more flexibility than the first one because it allows you to choose any Crane stock, any ink color and any typestyle and/or monogram.

Both of these sales are for a limited time, so if you have ever thought about trying Crane for the first time, this is your chance!

2011 Wedding Trends

Can you believe that 2011 is almost half way through? Wedding season is in full swing, and autumn brides are starting to come in to pick out their wedding invitations. It has been interesting and fun to see the wedding trends unfold this year. What has surprised me most is the number of grooms we have worked with (sometimes without the brides!). They seem to be taking more interest in things like wedding invitations, thank-you notes and programs.

Purple - in all of its shades, but especially dark hues - is still the hot color this year. I would say that 80-90% of our brides have purple as one of their colors. Teal, bright green, coral, yellow and gray have also been very popular. My roommate, who is getting married on July 8th, chose both teal and a deep purple for her colors.

Another trend that I am seeing - and one that I personally like - is vintage weddings. Lace, ruffles, pearls, big flowers (especially has a head-piece), brooches and colors like peach, ivory, yellow, brown and rustic shades of red give weddings a nostalgic and unique flare. And, of course, this trend can be seen in wedding invitations as well.

For more information and for ideas about about vintage weddings, check out this blog.

This is How Much We Love Our Customers...

We just completed two rush wedding orders. One for programs and the other for programs and napkins. When I say rush, I mean, rush. The programs were ordered on May 31st (less the two weeks ago) and arrived yesterday - the day before the two weddings. We have been a little stressed, to say the least, trying to make sure that these two lovely couples received their wedding programs in time for the Big Days.

One program had to be assembled and ribboned. UPS was running late (of all days!) and time was running out for the groom's sisters to put the programs together before the rehearsal dinner last evening...so we called our UPS man on his cell phone:
- "Where are you?"
- "I am running behind today."
- "You have an overnight package on your truck that we need ASAP. Can you swing by our store first?"
- "No...but I can meet you somewhere."
- "Okay. Where?"
- "Meet me behind Best Buy and Stein Mart at 12:05."
So we did. At exactly 12:05 p.m., we intercepted the package and not too long later, the programs were in the hands of their assemblers. :)

The second wedding received their wedding programs in the nick of time, just like the former, but everyone forgot their personalized napkins (for the reception). This morning (the morning of the wedding), when we realized that they had either forgotten or didn't have time to pick them up, we decided to deliver them...to the church. Their wedding was at 2:00. It was almost 1:00. So with some help from Google Maps and various people at the church (whom God placed in my path to help me or I would still be lost in there), the napkins made it safely into the hands of the mother of the bride.

And they all lived happily ever after...

Congrats to these two sets of newly weds!!!

Three Years and Counting...

This month, I am celebrating my third year at Papers Unique. I have learned MUCH during my time here - about invitations, weddings, proper etiquette, Louisville...

Because of Papers Unique...
1. I can tie a decent bow
2. I am sharpening my mad-rhyming skills
3. I am now a paper and etiquette snob :)
4. I have gotten more in touch with my "girly" side (I discovered I like lace)
5. I can spell fleur de lis, hors d'oeuvres and stationery (stationAry means you're standing still)
6. I can help YOU find the perfect invitation
7. I know why there are those "Keep Louisville Weird" signs :)

Check out this bow!

This job has been a blessing from the Lord and there are a lot of things I love about it. I love my boss Michele. She is my mom-away-from-home, friend and sister-in-Christ. She is amazing. Plus, she let me off work for six months to go to South Asia to serve the Lord! I love praying with her in the mornings before we open. I love helping customers make their envisioned invitations come to life. I especially love it when they give me complete freedom with their invites. :)

A Tissue in Case You Cry...

One of our lovely brides gave us this idea and we think you'll love it as a favor for your wedding day...

New Invitation Stock!

We recently traded some old stock for some new...and it came in today! Here are just a few of the super cute invitations that arrived:

These came in just in time to meet the high demand for wedding, baby and baptism invitations. See one you just love??? Mention this post and we will give you free printing on your in-stock invitation order!

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is less than two weeks away! Time is running out to find the perfect gift to express your feelings for that special someone. Why not put it in writing...and let us help you! From the cheesy to the romantic, we can help you create a card that captures your thoughts. With over 1000 in-stock designs to choose from, you can be both creative and personal. We can even  have it printed for you on the same day!

If you have trouble expressing yourself with words, check out this website for help:

http://www.stvalentinesday.org/valentines-day-love-letters.html

Let us help with your children's Valentine's as well. Here are a few small (3x5), fun children's Valentine's cards:

Keep your Valentine's Day Unique...Papers Unique!

-Rachel

Weddings! Weddings! Weddings!

It's that time of year! With the Christmas season now passed, wedding fever has hit. Brides are coming in almost every day to pick out the perfect invitation to announce their big day. William Arthur and Crane are both offering spectacular specials for our brides. When they buy 75 or more invitations with either company, they will get an additional 25 for free! This offer is good through March. This special is in addition to the 10% discount we already offer our blushing brides!

I recently read an article stating that this year's hottest wedding color is Honeysuckle. I haven't witnessed it to this point, but I am interested to see how it shows up this year in the way of wedding invitations. Purple, on the other hand, is making quite a comeback in 2011. I have already had two brides that selected a shade of purple ink for the wording of their invites. Of course, you can never go wrong with the classic black, red and white/ivory combination. This is a color scheme that is timeless, fits any time of the year and that appeals to both the traditional and contemporary brides.

- Rachel