The short answer: A good invitation does two jobs: it makes guests excited to come, and it tells them everything they need to show up on time at the right place. These free printable invitation templates include four ready-to-fill cards (You're Invited, Let's Celebrate, Holiday Party and Dinner Party) plus a guest list and RSVP tracker.
Print them on cardstock, cut them in half and you have two 5.5 by 8.5 inch invitation cards per page, ready for a birthday, a holiday get-together or a cozy dinner.
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- 100 Envelope Savings Challenge
- Bill Tracker Printable
- Cleaning Schedule
Bundle: printable PDFs + spreadsheets, $15.99. Instant download; nothing is shipped. See every page on the product page.
Who it's for
- Holiday party hosts planning a December get-together.
- Parents sending out birthday party invitations.
- Dinner party hosts who want a simple printed card.
- Shower and celebration planners keeping a guest list.
- Anyone hosting family who prefers paper to group texts.
How to make printable invitations with the free template
- Pick a card design. Choose You're Invited, Let's Celebrate, Holiday Party or Dinner Party.
- Print on cardstock. Print the PDF at actual size on US Letter cardstock. Each page has two cards.
- Cut the cards. Cut along the center line to get two 5.5 by 8.5 inch invitation cards.
- Fill in the details. Write who, what, when, where and the RSVP date and contact on each card.
- Send at the right time. Mail or hand out invitations two to four weeks before the party.
- Track RSVPs. Log who you invited, their replies and head counts on the guest list and RSVP tracker page.
What's in the free invitation templates
| Page | What's included |
|---|---|
| 1. Party cards | "You're Invited" and "Let's Celebrate" cards with lines for the occasion, date, time, place, host and RSVP date |
| 2. Holiday and dinner cards | "Holiday Party" card with a line for what to bring, and "Dinner Party" card with a line for dress code |
| 3. Guest list and RSVP tracker | Event, date and RSVP deadline; guest or household, contact, invite sent, yes or no, and head count; plus timing tips |
What to write on an invitation
Every invitation should answer the same questions. Use this as a checklist before you print:
| Detail | Example |
|---|---|
| Who's hosting | "Hosted by the Garcia family" |
| What it is | "Holiday open house" or "Maya's 7th birthday" |
| When | "Saturday, December 12, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m." |
| Where | Full street address, plus parking or gate notes |
| RSVP | "RSVP to Jess by December 1, text 555-0100" |
| Extras | Dress code, kids welcome, potluck dish, gift exchange limit |
Wording ideas: "Join us for an evening of food, friends and holiday cheer." "Come celebrate with cake, games and lots of laughs." "Pull up a chair: dinner is at our place."
When to send your invitations
- Casual parties and dinners: two to three weeks before.
- Holiday parties in December: three to four weeks before, since calendars fill quickly.
- Kids' birthday parties: two to three weeks before, with an RSVP date about a week out.
- Showers and milestone celebrations: four to six weeks before.
- Weddings: much earlier. Emily Post recommends mailing wedding invitations about six to eight weeks before the date.
How to print and mail invitation cards
- Paper: print on white or cream cardstock at actual size on US Letter.
- Cut: trim along the center line for two cards per page, or fold each card for a smaller note.
- Envelopes: a flat 5.5 by 8.5 inch card fits an A9 envelope.
- Postage: check before you buy stamps. USPS explains on its letters and cards page that square, rigid or lumpy envelopes can't go through its machines and cost extra. The Domestic Mail Manual also sets minimum and maximum sizes for mailpieces, so tiny or oversized cards may need a different envelope.
Track RSVPs so the party plan is easy
Page 3 of the free printable is a guest list and RSVP tracker. Write each guest or household, how to reach them, whether the invitation went out, their yes or no, and how many are coming. The timing box at the bottom reminds you when to send invitations and when to ask for replies, so you have a firm head count for food and seating.
Plan the rest of the season
Once the invitations go out, the real planning starts. The Holiday To-Do Timeline below breaks the season into early November, late November, early December, the week before and after the holidays, so cards, gifts, menus and decorating don't pile up at the last minute.
The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) lets you set a budget for every person and log each purchase, with gift, card, menu and to-do pages. To plan the whole season, save for it all year and host without the January money hangover, try the Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99).
Sending invitations for a birthday? Our guide on how to plan a birthday party covers guest lists, RSVPs and a party-day timeline.
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Frequently asked questions
What should an invitation include? Every invitation should answer the five basics: who is hosting, what the event is, the date and start time, the full address, and how and by when to RSVP. After that, add anything guests need to plan, such as the dress code, whether kids are welcome, parking notes or a potluck request. Our printable invitation cards have a labeled line for each detail so nothing gets left off.
How far in advance should I send an invitation? For a casual birthday or dinner party, two to three weeks ahead is usually plenty. For holiday parties in December, when calendars fill up fast, three to four weeks is safer, and a save-the-date can help. Weddings need much more notice: Emily Post recommends mailing wedding invitations about six to eight weeks before the date.
What do I write on a holiday party invitation? Keep it warm and clear. Start with a friendly line such as 'Join us for a cozy holiday get-together,' then list the date, time, address and RSVP details. Mention anything special, like an ugly sweater theme, a cookie swap or a gift exchange with a price limit, so guests can come prepared and nobody feels awkward.
How do I print invitation cards at home? Print the PDF on white or cream cardstock at actual size on US Letter paper. Each page has two invitation cards, so cut along the middle line with a paper trimmer or scissors to get two 5.5 by 8.5 inch cards. Fold one in half for a smaller card, or mail it flat in an A9 envelope.
Do I need extra postage to mail an invitation? Often, yes: many invitations need extra postage, because the Postal Service charges an extra fee for envelopes that can't go through its machines, including square envelopes, very rigid ones and envelopes with clasps, bows or lumpy decorations. Heavier cardstock invitations with an RSVP card inside may also weigh more than one ounce. Weigh one finished invitation at the post office before you buy stamps for all of them.
How should guests RSVP to an invitation? Choose one RSVP method and print it clearly, such as 'RSVP to Jess by December 1, text 555-0100.' Asking for a reply by a specific date makes it easier to plan food and seating. Use the free RSVP tracker page to log who you invited, who has answered and how many are coming, then send a friendly reminder to anyone you haven't heard from.
Is it okay to send a digital invitation instead? Yes, digital invitations are common for casual parties and are easy to track. Printed invitations still feel special for holidays, milestone birthdays, showers and dinner parties, and they're a nice choice for older relatives who don't check email. You can also print a few paper invitations for some guests and text the rest the same details.
Can I use the free invitation templates for a wedding or shower? The free cards are designed for parties, holiday gatherings and dinners, but the 'Let's Celebrate' card works for showers, engagement parties and anniversaries too. For a formal wedding invitation, you'll usually want traditional wording and a matching reply card, and the guest list and RSVP tracker page in this printable is still handy for keeping count.
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Printable party invitations, ready in minutes
Several invitation designs with date, time, place and RSVP lines. You'll also get our weekly HomeBase email with simple holiday planning, budgeting and hosting tips.
