How to Announce Your Grad In Style with Basic Invite

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in that I have received compensation for my honest review of Basic Invite.

Two weeks ago, I chaperones Kenzie’s fifth-grade field camping trip. Now, after you’ve recovered from the shock of hearing me, the most un-outdoorsy of all un-outdoorsy people, utter the words “camping trip” as confirmation of my attendance, I want you to understand something–this field trip is the first of the lasts for my last child in elementary school.

The same elementary school Dillon entered as a teeny-tiny five-year-old kindergartener in (wait for it) 2013. The same elementary school Connor entered in 2015, then Kenzie in 2017. The same elementary where Dillon walked his last fifth-grade high-five hallway and I thought I would die. The same elementary school that has witnessed all of our firsts, is now set to ring in all of our first lasts.

And now, our first lasts have begun.

Now, given that I’m not outdoorsy and not the camping type and, if you follow me on socials you know I got wickedly sick upon return, you’re probably wondering if this camping trip was worth it, or if I regret saying “YES” to that chaperone request. The answer, though, is yes. And then no. Meaning yes, it was worth it. And no, I would never in one million years regret it.

Because for three days in the mid-level wilderness, ‘glamping’ if you will, I was totally and completely present with my girl and her friends. I got to laugh and dance and be crazy (more on that later) with her and watch her interact and live on a different level different than the one I am normally privy to. I watched this little girl, who just a few short days ago walked into kindergarten with two braids down her back and a stubborn refusal to wear anything but the fanciest dresses, blossom into a zip-lining, horseback riding, joyful, kind leader. And, when she turned and said “I’m so glad you came with me, Mom.” I felt like my heart opened up and grew a few sizes, just like the Grinch. (only less Grinch-y).

During this trip and in my reflections upon my return, I have realized, more than ever, that this is why we, as moms, work so hard to cherish these first lasts and make them special.

That mom you see working furiously on her kid’s senior year mum (only relevant for Texas folks), leave her be, she’s celebrating a first last.

The mom who goes a little overboard volunteering for every single senior activity and committee even though she’s not the volunteering type, let her. She’s holding on to a first last as long and hard as she can.

The moms who spend way too much money and time on senior parties and senior proms and all the things, they’re not living vicariously, they’re celebrating a first last.

Let them be.

And so, when Basic Invite approached me about partnering for a sponsored post, I got it. I understood on a different level now why first lasts are so stinking important and I felt a unique connection to this brand that is working to help moms (and dads) announce their grad in style, as just another first last.

So even if I don’t quite have a full-on graduating senior yet, this partnership made sense to me. I’ve only got three more years of first lasts with my oldest in high school and I’m walking through a period of first lasts right now in elementary with my youngest. I became a chaperoning, outdoorsy, dancing fool for three days in the wilderness this month to hold on to a first last, so if there is something this beautiful that I can share with my fellow moms who are walking through one of the biggest first lasts there is–I’m going to do it.

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How To Announce Your Grad In Style With Basic Invite

First, let’s start with what Basic Invite is, shall we?

This family-owned company has been making gorgeous custom invitations in Utah for 15 years. They began with weddings, designing and printing wedding stationery, but have since expanded and now offer invites and printing services for every event, milestone, and celebration you can think of.

They’re good people making quality products. Which is something I will always get behind.

But why are they different?

Well, that’s where Basic Invite gets so many things right, especially when it comes to first lasts.

This is just a small list of what sets Basic Invites apart from the rest…but I’ll also add that, personally, just scrolling through all of their beautiful design options sets them above the rest. Classy. Detailed. Clear quality and elegance. They truly do bring a statement right to your recipient’s mailbox. And it’s a beautiful one.

Also, I have my eye on their clear business cards for BurntToast Digital. Just sayin’.

Beyond that, though, there are a few customer service and design detials which set the Basic Invite process and experience apart.

• (Almost) Unlimited Colors: As one of the few websites to allow customers (almost) unlimited color options with instant previews online. After selecting your design, every element within the card can be changed to any of the over 180 colors available, allowing you to make your invite exactly as you want it.
• Custom Samples: Have you ever ordered a card online based on the preview only to have it show up at your house (in bulk) with flimsy paper, misprints, or a design that just isn’t quite as you expected it? That’s because online previews only give you half the story. At Basic Invite you can order a custom invitation to be sent to you so you can see the final product before sending them all to printing (this is HUGE, btw).
• Over 40 Envelope Colors: Forget basic white, black, and cream, Basic Invite has over 40 (yes, FORTY) different envelope colors. Have you heart set on baby carnation pink? We’ve got you. Desperately looking for something “blush” and “bashful?” We’ve got you too.
• Address Capturing Service: Does your senior have lots of friends but not lots of friend’s addresses? Basic Invite has you covered. With a sharable link, you can easily capture their addresses over social media. They then will store the addresses captured for you to select during the design process. No more awkward “Hey, send me your address, pls.” texts that somehow always go unanswered.
• Foil Envelopes: Everybody loves foil envelopes. They set the tone from the moment a recipient opens one. So Basic Invite offers flat or raised foil envelopes in gold, silver, and rose gold.
• AND, the most important one of the moment: Right now Basic Invite is offering 15% off with coupon code: 15FF51. I mean, can’t go wrong with a discount, right?

I should also reiterate, for those without a senior graduating from either high school or college at the moment, that Basic Invite has invites for all occassions. Their wedding invites are mind-blowing. The birth announcements and shower invites? Same. There is something here for every single event.

However, for you mammas with a babe about the fly the coup, after my very small experience with first lasts this spring, I see you. I can’t imagine it yet, but I can empathize. And for that I say, go big. Don’t go home. Dive in. Enjoy every second and make it huge. Plan the big party. Make mums as big as a pickup. And get the gorgeous invites and announcements–even if they are a splurge. This is a big first last, and you have every single right to make it as special as you want to.

So Here’s How The How-To

Here’s the easiest part, where to start. If you’re interested in either:

graduation party templates OR grad party invites

Use the above links and find the perfect invite for your perfect event today. But don’t forget to use the code 15FF51 for 15% off your order. Oh, and because I introduced you to these gorgeous invitations, I’ll expect an invite in my mailbox as well. Please feel free to DM me for my address.*

Peace, love, and first lasts,

Meg

*Just kidding. Sort of.

Be Sure To Follow Basic Invite On Socials, too: Insta, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter.

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