Skip to content

Category: Holidays

How To Have A Successful Easter Bunny Event

Thinking of having a picture with the Easter Bunny Event this year? We have some Easter event planning ideas and tips to help you along.

Events like these are a great way to connect with the community and bring people into your business, raise awareness for a cause, and create goodwill in the community. However, a great event comes from great planning. Read on as we help you plan and organize a successful event this Easter season.

First things first: Book the bunny!

This is a given! Make sure that the Easter Bunny can attend your event and pose for pictures with the kids. The Easter Bunny is very busy this time of year, so make sure to plan ahead!

Many entertainment companies have a bunny that can pose for pictures, walk around and work the crowd, pass out candy, entertain, or even perform magic tricks. Don’t forget you could always buy or rent a bunny costume.

The Easter bunny visits a family at their house, and the Easter bunny stands in front of a black backdrop for taking pictures. Images from Funtime Services in Naperville, Illinois.
Left: the Easter Bunny visits a family at their home for photos. Right: the Easter Bunny waits in front of a backdrop for taking photos with guests at an Easter event. Photos courtesy of Funtime Services in Naperville, IL.

If the “real” bunny is unavailable and a costume is out of your budget, try a jumbo inflatable bunny or giant plush rabbit. Cardboard cutouts can also work!

Where to host your Easter event

There are a lot of other great places to have an event. Here are some ideas:

  • Have the Easter bunny visit your store—whether you’re a small boutique or large chain
  • Breakfast or brunch with the Easter bunny at a restaurant or country club
  • Spring festival, parade, or Easter egg hunt
  • Invite the Easter bunny to a local 5k race or sporting event
  • Take pet pictures with the Easter bunny at a pet store, animal shelter, grooming salon, or adoption center
  • Have the Easter bunny stop by the children’s hospital
  • Set up an Easter bunny photo booth at the zoo

Be sure to check with your local Park District or Chamber of Commerce, as they almost always have annual Easter Bunny events planned. We’ve even seen Easter events on trains and cruise ships!

Use the best Easter photo props

The most basic prop you’ll need is a sturdy place for the Easter Bunny and visitors to sit. Wicker chairs or benches are the most popular type of seating for Easter Bunny photos. White is a classic choice, but natural wood or black are more modern choices that are becoming popular.

For an indoor event (such as a mall or restaurant) a backdrop is needed to block out any distractions like store fronts or people walking by.

Outdoor events (like a community event at the park) don’t need artificial backdrops. Use the outdoors to your advantage and pick a photo location that has trees, shrubs, or flowers in the background. In an urban area (or an area that does not have a lot of greenery this time of year) try setting the scene against the brick wall of a building or other element that will make an interesting background.

Easter Backdrop
Photo Credit: Vanessa Brown Photography
Backdrop created by OneStopBackdrop on Etsy

While a chair and background are the two primary elements of an Easter photo shoot, there are lots of other props you can use. Try one or several of the following:

  • Oversized Easter Basket Filled With Eggs
  • Gazebo or Garden Arch (you can find them at a local wedding rental company)
  • Artificial or Real Floral Garland
  • Easter Banners or Flags
  • Inflatable Easter Eggs or Carrots
  • Potted Tulips, Daffodils or Other Spring Bulbs
  • Forsythia or Pussywillow Branches
  • Chalkboard With The Words “Happy Easter!” or “Easter Greetings!”
  • White Picket Fence

Make a trip to your local craft and party stores and see what is available. Check out Etsy.com for creative handmade props like this white fence backdrop. Look to nature and visit a local garden center or florist, or even your own backyard for branches and flowers to use at your event. Party rental supply companies and even the home improvement store have options for larger props, tables, and seating. With a little creativity you can even make your own unique spring and Easter themed accessories.

The Photographer

Book a photographer in advance to ensure that you’ll have someone taking pictures on the day of your event. Take in consideration the photographer’s background. A photographer that specializes in event photography or kids and families is going to be more qualified than someone who shoots wildlife photography.

 

 

Easter CardsThe Giveaways

Give your guests something to remember their visit by. The most obvious giveaway would be a photo. Due to the nature of these events, the ability to print photos on site is necessary. If you do not have access to a on site printer, then using an instant camera is an old fashioned alternative that is still used quite often. Your budget and equipment will dictate this decision.

You’ll want to have a cheap paper picture frame to transport the photo home in. An Easter photo folder or cardboard photo frame will protect the photo from becoming bent or damaged.

Most paper frames can be custom printed with your logo, event name or other information specifically for you. This turns a simple photo souvenir frame into a promotional marketing piece! It’s a great way to have people remember your company or event.

Sometimes the event photographer will supply the frames at an additional cost. Other times the event coordinator or staff will order them. Communicate and see who will be ordering the photo holders and make sure you’ll have enough for your event, in the correct size you’ll need. Easter picture holders are most commonly available for 4″ x 6″ pictures, but custom sizes are available.

free easter treat bag toppers

Some other great souvenir ideas would be coloring pages with crayons, fuzzy bunny ears, candy, snacks or stickers. Including a coupon for your business, or a related business, is a great incentive for repeat business. If you’re handing out treat bags, you can use our Free Printable Easter Treat Bag Toppers!

The Promotion

Advertise! Make sure the public knows about your event. Flyers, blog posts, Facebook updates & Twitter are all great ways to get your message out about your event.

Try tying a promotion in with your event. If you are a restaurant, offer a special dining offer (like a unique Easter theme menu). If you are a store, offer a discount for that day only. Adding an extra incentive will get more people in your door and excited about the event.

Another option would be to donate proceeds from your event to a charity. Give people a REASON to participate in your event that they will feel good about. This also provides an option for cross-promotion with the charity, which can boost your event exposure and your audience, as well as opening other advertising channels and media coverage.

With the right planning, a Visit with the Easter Bunny event can become a fun yearly tradition that will build awareness, bring profit and be a positive spring activity for your community.

Leave a Comment

Valentine’s Day Event Photo Ideas You’ll LOVE

Are you hosting a Valentine’s Day Event or sweetheart party this year?

Valentine’s Day is almost here, and Studio Style has a few ideas to help you put on a Valentine’s Day event everyone will love.  Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, a school party, a daddy daughter dance, or corporate event, our Valentine’s Day photo folders make perfectly lovable mementos to send home with your guests.

Send guests home with a souvenir photo folder for a sweet memory

These foil stamped Valentine’s Photo Folders are versatile for any Valentine’s themed event, fundraiser, dance, or party. If you’re able to print your event photos on site, that’s a bonus, but it’s okay to mail these photo folders after the event too. These photo folders hold a 4×6 picture or photo booth print.

Black photo folder with red foil stamped heart design
  • Lightweight smooth finish recycled paper
  • Foil hot-stamped design on front cover
  • Holds one photo on the inside
  • Available for vertical or horizontal prints

These Happy Valentines Day photo folders feature a bright red Valentine’s Day Heart design foil stamped in the middle. These make great Valentine’s Day cards, and hold a 4×6 vertical or horizontal prints. Great for commemorating a Valentine’s Cruise or special outing with your loved one.

White photo folder with red foil heart design and fundraiser imprint on the front cover

Your Valentine’s Day event wouldn’t be complete without some personalization your Valentine’s photo folders with the event date, location, names or even a line from your favorite love song or poem.

Envelopes: Are you mailing your folders/frames? Portrait folder envelopes are available here.

This red heart photo folder makes a beautiful themed frame for a sweetheart dance, Valentine’s fundraiser, or school party. Simply slide your 5×7 or 4×6 photo in the top and

Red photo folder with a polka dot heart design has a theatre logo on the front cover.

This red and pink Valentine’s photo folder combines modern polka dots with hearts. Although perfect for Valentine’s Day parties and events, this design is also suitable for weddings, anniversaries, dances, cruises and other special occasions. The heart theme also works well for National Heart Health Month, and for hospital and healthcare promos.


Make Your Own Valentine’s Day Party Invites or Thank You Notes

If DIY is your thing, we have a cool solution for you: photo insert cards. Just take your 4″ x 6″ print and slide it in the window frame border. You can get either blank cards and decorate it entirely yourself or we can foil stamp a message for you. Be sure to check out our other DIY Valentine’s Day card ideas.

White photo insert card holds an image of an adult woman giving peace signs while flashing a silly smile. The card reads XOXO, the Millers.

Valentine’s Day Goodie Bags

Valentine’s treat bags are great for classroom parties! These printed red and gold hearts cellophane treat bag are popular for DIY gift bags at all kinds of February events. Whether you give candy, nuts, cookies, or party favors, we offer plenty of sizes to fit any treat. Perfect for handing out at school or company Valentine’s Day parties, bake sales or any special occasion.

Someone is taking candy out of a clear goodie bag with a red heart pattern

Food-safe polypropylene (sometimes called poly) bags have many uses. Cello bags make great candy bags, favor bags, party gift bags, treat goodie bags, bake sales, and more. Unlike flat cello, our cello bags have gusseted sides for added room.


Let’s personalize your Valentine’s Day Event

You take the pictures, we’ll provide a practical—but cute!—way for party guests to get those photos home. Shop our entire collection at StudioStyle.com or give us a call at (800) 346-3063.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Leave a Comment

8 Simple Halloween Photo Tips for Great Pictures of Your Kids in Costume

We love Halloween. And we love photography! We combined these two loves to come up with some simple Halloween photo tips to help you capture creative shots of your kids in their Halloween costumes this year.

1. Don’t wait until October 31st!

Halloween day can be busy with last-minute preparations. Take some time a few weeks before Halloween to let your kids try on their costumes. This is a good idea to make sure all parts of their costumes are in order before they head out for Trick-or-Treating.

Photographing during the mid-late morning hours when the lighting is crisp is ideal, but late afternoon or during the evening golden hour is the perfect time to capture the essence of fall. Whenever you decide to snap your Halloween photos, be sure to take your most important shots first, like the portraits and group photos.

Two kids hold up Halloween pumpkin candy buckets while both are dressed up as mummies

2. Explore different settings

Set up a photo area in the back yard, or take some shots around the neighborhood if you’re pressed for time. Make use of the traditional Halloween décor you already own (cobwebs, pumpkins, hay bales, cornstalks, etc.) as background or props to accent your shoot.

If you have a couple of hours to spare, head out to a local park or nature preserve to capture the colors of changing autumn foliage for a backdrop. If you’re willing to deal with the crowds, you can even take your kids to visit a pumpkin patch or apple orchard in their costumes for some ready-made fall scenery.

3. Capture the little details, as well as the big picture

 This is especially rewarding if your child is sporting a home-made costume this year. Don’t forget to zoom in on the details of their costume garments, face makeup, and accessories. Ask your child what their favorite part of their costume is, too so you can highlight that in your photos.

4. Use pumpkins as props

Lit or unlit, carved or whole, pumpkins can be used in countless ways to accent your Halloween photos.

This one is for the brave of heart. If your child is an infant, carve a larger pumpkin out completely and cut holes large enough for your baby’s legs to stick through. Place your child inside the pumpkin and capture the moment. Results may vary, and the best one might be a candid shot of (hopefully) everyone laughing!

This one is for everyone! For photos of your glowing Jack-o-lanterns, hit the lights, turn off the flash, and set your camera on a stable surface to avoid blur. Make use of the self timer on your camera for the most stable effect. Substitute a flashlight or LED for your light source inside the pumpkin to achieve a more even glow.

A mother and daughter are outside in witch costumes, sitting next to a smiling carved Jack-O-Lantern for a Halloween photo

5. Try different angles

Elevate yourself and get a bird’s eye view of your kids acting out their characters in costume for a creative Halloween photo. Get down low and get on their level, too. Capture the world from their perspective by lying or squatting on the ground as they approach you in costume.

6. Get some action shots 

Ask your child to get in character and strike a pose that fits their costume. Take some photos of the kids interacting with one another if they are trick-or-treating with a group of friends. Make sure to get some shots of them going both up to and from the door. Capture their smiles and excitement as they reach into their candy buckets to measure their loot.

If it comes naturally, take the opportunity to photograph your child as they hold hands with a sibling, or with their parents while walking down the sidewalk. For more ideas of great actions shots, visit our Halloween ideas board on Pinterest.

A girl dressed as a devil seriously points her trident at the camera. The other girls is dressed as a witch and is gleefully pointing her broom at the camera.

7. Set up a DIY photo studio at home

If the weather doesn’t cooperate for your outdoor Halloween photo shoot, you can always set up a simple makeshift photo studio in the garage or a large space inside. You’ll be able to make use of the soft, natural light that floods in from outside. Hang your backdrop of choice from your garage shelving (make sure to get all of the wrinkles out first if you’re using fabric). Use a sheet of black stretch velvet fabric, a heavy weight blanket, or fleece fabric for the ideal backdrop.

Other DIY Halloween photo booth backdrops could be made from:

  • Balloons and streamers
  • Cut-out bats, pumpkins, and spiders taped to the wall
  • Wrapping paper or even orange or black cellophane
  • Those big skeletons! Perhaps not the 12′ skeleton, but a few smaller ones propped up, or even skeleton cut-outs
  • Make your own monsters
  • Bundles of corn (sometimes called “corn shocks”) with stacks of pumpkins
  • If you have a dark backdrop, make a big spiderweb from white streamers

Have any other DIY photo booth backdrop ideas or Halloween photo tips? Leave your idea in the comments!

8. Frame your prints with Halloween themed photo cards

Jack-o-lantern photo folder with park district imprint frames a picture of a child in a chicken costume at a pumpkin patch.

When you’re all finished and have selected your favorite Halloween shots, you can use Halloween themed photo folders or photo insert cards from Studio Style to display and share your Halloween memories. Available in several spook-tacular stock designs, our photo cards and frames also come with optional personalization and custom imprinting.

Happy Hauntings!

Leave a Comment

How to Add Vintage Flair to Your Event Photo Booth

How to Add Vintage Flair to your Photo Booth

Ah, the photo booth.

Invented in the early twentieth century by an ambitious Russian immigrant, the photo booth quickly won over the American public with it’s quick printing capabilities and intimate booth atmosphere.

Enclosed photo booths started appearing in cities across the U.S. wherever crowds gathered. They grew in popularity over the next several decades, and saw such famous visitors as Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Truman Capote.

But in the later decades of the 20th century, Americans’ fascination with the photo booth declined. The once-popular photo booths were relegated to dusty corners at malls and shopping centers.

But all that changed about 10 years ago.

As the saying goes, “what’s old is new again,” and this couldn’t be more true for the humble event photo booth. Now they are at weddings, bar mitzvahs, corporate events, retail grand openings, first birthday parties, and graduation parties. Photographers across the U.S. are adding them as a package option for their event photography, and DIY photo booth tutorials abound.

But the fun part for you, the party planner, is all the glamorous details, and what’s more fun than a vintage 1920s photo booth theme? Whether you’re throwing a gala reminiscent of The Great Gatsby, hosting a small art deco-inspired soirée, or just want a 1920s-themed photo booth, we’ve searched high and low to bring you some of the best 1920s vintage photo booth ideas and inspiration.

Vintage Photo Booth Backdrop Ideas

  • Strips of wrapping paper. Sound silly? It’s not! Put one strip black, another of a subtle black and gold geometric pattern. Just be careful not to clash patterns or create something too loud.
  • Black table cloth. This is perhaps the easiest and thriftiest option, which is why it’s usually the most popular. A simple black table cloth from your local party supply store is a simple but great background.
  • Streamers. Choose two or three colors, and tape streamers to the wall, keeping them all straight, twirling all of them, or keeping some straight while twirling others.
  • Velvet. We’re thinking a red or black velvet curtain reminiscent of the theater. While an actual theater curtain might not fit your budget, check your local fabric store, especially the bargain bins. Or, hang a simple black backdrop, and put on red velvet curtain on each side, pulled back with a gold rope tie. Where to buy: Jo-Ann
  • Clear balloons filled with gold glitter. Easy and fun glitter balloons! Just add a spoonful of glitter to a clear balloon, blow it up (with helium), tie on a gold ribbon, and tape the ribbon to the floor. Fill up enough balloons to cover a wide enough area, and tie on varying lengths of ribbon. You can either buy these pre-made, or make your own glitter balloons.
  • Patterns to look for. Whether it’s a piece of fabric, a table cloth, wrapping paper, or wallpaper, look for big, regal patterns like damask or brocade, or for true art deco style, be on the lookout for bold geometric patterns.

Prop Ideas for your 1920s-Themed Photo Booth

  • Hats, hats, hats. Find period-style hats for the guys and the dames. For guys, look for bowler, derby, fedora, top hat, panama, gambler, or homburg. For dames, look for cloche, beret, toque, turbans, and of course, the flapper headband. Where to buy: Candy Apple Costumes
  • Mustache on a stick. Make your own, find some at the party store, or download some vintage-style photo booth printables.
  • Bow ties for the guys. You can either find a few clip-on bow ties (skip the over-sized ones for the vintage theme), or use a printable. Where to buy: Tie Bar (feeling crafty? Learn how to make your own clip-on bow tie.)
  • Lace gloves for the ladies. So that you’re fit for your elegant affair. Where to buy: Historical Emporium
  • Lace parasol. Look at pictures of people picnicking in the 1920s and you might see some women with lacy parasols, meant to shelter the sun. While a full-size parasol won’t work to well in a confined space, a child-sized or petite parasol would be perfect.
  • Feather boas and playful fans. Time to hit the party store again! Think glitz and glam.
  • Rotary Phone. Why not? Look on eBay or ask around; you might be surprised at who has one of those sitting in their attic.
  • Colorful silk flowers. Not your ordinary prop, but why should the bride and bridesmaids be the only ones with bouquets?

DIY Vintage Photo Booth Signs

  • Pointing to the photo booth. Free photo booth sign printables abound online. Check out some at Elegance and Enchantment. Creating your own? Look up some 1920s slang to make it even more authentic.
  • How to use the photo booth. Avoid the risk of losing pictures, having damaged equipment, or just confusing your guests. Kelly from A Side of Sweet provided a simple list of instructions for guests at her wedding.
  • How to pose and use props. Yes, this might sound silly, but it could be another way to add some vintage flair. Find some old photo booth pictures (old family photos from the 1920s will work, too), put them in a gold frame, and place them on the props table.

Several vintage-designed photo booth folders

Protect Your Prints! Personalized Photo Booth Favors

  • Photo Booth Strip Folders. Help your guests protect their 2″ x 6″ photo booth prints. Personalize with your event details. Where to buy: Studio Style
  • Photo Holder for 4″ x 6″ Photo Booth Collage. Perfect for the larger prints! Choose a vintage design, or create one of your own. Where to buy: Studio Style (Psssst… the Vintage Props is our most popular design for events like this.)
  • An envelope. Get envelopes to coordinate with your color or design theme. Leave them blank, add a label, or personalize with some fancy calligraphy. Find these at any stationery supply store. For 4″ x 6″ photos, look for the A6 envelope size.

DIY Photo Booth Tutorial List

If you’re one of the brave individuals looking to set up your own photo booth, check out this list of tutorials from experts and beginners alike.

  • Offbeat Wed. No expensive camera needed, just your computer and a web cam. The ultimate budget-friendly option.
  • Simple Booth. Have an iPad? Here’s a really easy one for you. Buy the app, and set your iPad up on a tri-pod.
  • Photography Concentrate. Photographers Lauren and Rob Lim share their photo booth setup. This one is perfect if you have a dSLR and a separate flash unit.
  • dslrBooth. Photo booth software (Mac or PC) for those with Nikon, Canon or Sony dSLR cameras. Also works with webcams.
  • Viget. For a more professional setup with dSLR, lights, and live photo slideshow, see how the staff at Viget set up their photo booth.

If You’re Hiring a Photographer…

Sometimes it’s more fun to let someone else handle the technical side of setting up a photo booth, and that’s ok! You can still choose props, backdrops, and other photo booth decor. We’ve found that photo booth owners love working their clients’ ideas into their booth to help personalize the experience, so if you are hiring a professional, ask them if you can use your own props and backdrop.

Ready, Set, Go!

Whether it’s for your wedding or your kid’s birthday party, your photo booth will bring out the goofiness in your guests, and there’s nothing like a vintage theme to really get them to open up.

Are you doing a vintage photo booth theme? Let us know what your set up looks like—we’d love to see it!

Leave a Comment

DIY Free Photo Booth Strip Template Download

Say cheese! Download our free template to create DIY photo booth strips.

We love photo booths. Old is new again, and photo booths have seen a resurgence at wedding receptions, bar/bat mitzvahs, birthdays, bars, restaurants, parties, and events everywhere. It’s instant photo fun—what’s not to love?

While nothing can replace that old school fun of jumping into a photo booth and hamming it up with your friends, sometimes you just want the old fashioned photo strip look without renting a booth.

We know the feeling, and that is why we created this freebie just for you. Below are step-by-step instructions to create your own Photo Booth Strip Template in Photoshop.

Editing the photo booth picture strip template in Photoshop
This is what the template looks like when you open it. Add your photos underneath the top layer titled “Photo Booth Template”.
Free photo booth 2x6 template for Photoshop

Download Free Photo Booth Strip Template

This download is a layered PSD (Photoshop) file, just open and place your photos behind the template layer. Who knew it could be so easy to make your own 2″ x 6″ photo booth picture strip?

To save your finished design for printing, you can flatten the layers and save it as a JPG. You can also save it as a PNG or TIFF, but JPG is a widely-used and widely-accepted image format.

Try making your pictures black and white or sepia tone for a vintage look by applying your favorite Image Adjustment or Photoshop Action.

This photo booth template is for more than just photo booth pictures

Be creative! Print and cut them out to make your own DIY save the dates or wedding thank you cards, birthday party favors, or simply combine your favorite photos to post to Facebook and share with friends.

If you enjoy nature photography, add some of your favorites and print your own 2″ x 6″ nature-themed bookmarks (an inexpensive Christmas present!).

Or add photos of your kids a recent vacation, your dog at the park, or even a night out on the town. While you can frame these, 2″ x 6″ photo booth strips also look great hung on a fridge or cabinet with a magnet.

How to frame your 2″ x 6″ picture strips

If you’re printing a large volume of photo booth pictures, be sure to check out our inexpensive paper photo booth frames, available in more than 60 themed designs, including red carpet, sports, Christmas, and vintage.

Picture strip folders are perfect for photo favors, handing out as photo souvenirs to event attendees, wedding guests, or using as a thank you card. Customize a printed photo booth picture holder for any event or occasion.

2x6 Photo Booth Frames to Hold Picture Strip Templates
Design and print your own 2″ x 6″ photo booth picture strips. Shown here in our photo booth folders.

PS – Not sure if your event needs a photo booth? Here are 10 reasons why photo booths can boost an event’s success.

3 Comments

Photo Holidays to Celebrate the Art of Photography

We’ve compiled a list of photo holidays for photographers. We encourage you to participate, and share your photos with us on the Studio Style Facebook page. If you know of any others, please feel free to add them in the comments below!

Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day
National Photo Month
Nature Photography Day

This day was designated by NANPA to promote the enjoyment of nature photography, and to explain how images have been used to advance the cause of conservation and protect plants, wildlife, and landscapes locally and worldwide.

Camera Day is best celebrated with pictures. Pictures are invaluable memories of our lives and of the world. They tell stories. Our memories and stories are captured by a camera. With digital technology, using a camera has never been easier. Cameras are now built into cell phones, so you always have a camera with you, ready to record the moments of your life.

Whether you own a Compact, Digital SLR, Film or Phone Camera, World Photo Day is all about celebrating photography. World Photo Day is an open community event focused on celebrating photography not just globally but within local communities.

World Toy Camera Day is a yearly event that usually takes place on the 3rd Saturday of October. A day where we wake up in the wee hours of the morning and load all of our favorite plastic cameras like the Holga, Diana, Brownies and the like and end the day with our Low-fi, Low-brow, blurry and ridiculously out of focus snap shots.

Help-Portrait Day


Help-Portrait was founded by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart and Kyle Chowning in 2008. Their mission is to empower photographers, hairstylists and makeup artists to use their skills, tools and expertise to give back to their local community. Each December, photographers, hairstylists and makeup artists all around the world will find people in need, take their picture, print their picture and then deliver it—free of charge.

Do you do anything special to celebrate these photography holidays? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Leave a Comment

Printable Christmas Treat Bag Toppers for Holiday Goodie Bags

Turn your homemade goodies into treats worthy of gift-giving with FREE printable cello bag toppers.

Giving homemade gifts from your kitchen in a cute Christmas Treat Bag is a heartfelt way to show others that you care. A lot of love and hard work that goes into making these treats, why give them away on a paper plate or zip-loc bag? Gift packaging makes the first impression!

Present your cookies, chocolate bark or granola in holiday themed crystal clear food-safe cello bags to give a sneak peek of whats inside. Top each bag with a personalized treat bag topper for the finishing touch.

Three holiday-themed clear food bags have matching treat bag toppers.
Homemade treats or candy are great for gift-giving during the holidays. Fill a bag with goodies and finish off with a bag topper for an instant gift.

We’ve created DIY printable bag toppers to match our most popular holiday cello designs in 3 template sizes (favor, small, and medium). Simply print, cut-out, fold, and attach to the tops of cello bags using double-stick tape or staples.

DIY Treat Bag Topper
Click here to download FREE printable PDF treat bag toppers.

Here are some of our favorite ideas for homemade edible holiday gifts that work well for filled-cellophane bags:

  • Homemade Granola
  • Spicy Snack Mix
  • Whoopie Pies (chocolate filled with peppermint)
  • Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods (always a classic)
  • Gingerbread People (or try other shapes, like reindeer)
  • Chocolate Bark
  • Biscotti (great for coffee lovers)
  • Peanut Brittle or Toffee
  • Fudge or Caramels
  • Roasted Nuts (sweet or savory, or a combo of both)
  • Almond Roca
  • Cake Pops (the new trend in sweet treats)
  • Sugar Cookies (another classic)
  • Dog Treats (don’t forget your furry friends)

Packaged treats from your kitchen are perfect for hostess gifts, co-workers, classmates, friends, and family. Don’t leave out others like your hair stylist, running or workout buddy, mail deliverer, or your child’s teachers.

Little packages of homemade goodness make festive stocking stuffers and also work well as party favors for weddings, bridal/baby showers, and events.

What kind of homemade goods do you like to create for the holidays? Tell us in the comments below.

And don’t forget to check out our other treat bag toppers for Halloween, Easter, and Valentine’s Day.

Leave a Comment

Create a Candy Buffet for your Wedding in 5 Easy Steps

Creating a DIY self-serve candy station at your wedding reception party is an easy and creative alternative to traditional candy wedding favors.

Jordan almonds wrapped in organza or tulle and tied with ribbon have long been the traditional wedding favor choice for many brides and grooms. TheKnot.com explains the cultural significance for these sugarcoated candies. While this tradition will always be popular, wedding candy buffet bars are becoming the colorful, interactive, and completely customizable candy favor choice for many brides.

Creating your own candy table at your wedding is easy and affordable, and requires only a few supplies. From the candy buffet jars to the favor bags to the tasty candy itself, we outline the 5 steps it takes to create your own colorful and personalized candy bar dream.

Step 1 – Choose Your Candy & Colors

This is the most fun part! First think about what colors you want to have.

A couple planning their wedding will choose colors that match the rest of their wedding. Jelly beans and M&M’s both come in a rainbow of colors. Don’t forget licorice, gum drops, chocolates, gummy bears, and taffy which come in many flavors. Online retailers often organize their candy by color making it easy to find choices that will work with your wedding colors.

Step 2 – Buy Glass Jars & Candy Scoops

Candy buffet glass jars
Create a decorative candy buffet with glass jars

Big glass jars work best to show off your colorful candy. Similar to the jars used at old-fashioned bulk candy stores, these often have removable lids to keep the candy fresh. You may want to remove and store the lids right before the guests start to fill their bags up!

Glass flower vases and trifle bowls also work nicely. Don’t forget the scoops (or tongs, depending on what kind of candy it is). Scoops discourage guests from dipping their hands directly into the jars. Use one scoop per candy jar.

Step 3 – Hand Write Labels

Handwritten labels are elegant and help identify what is inside the jars. Choose plain labels or ones with a pretty border that ties in with your wedding theme. If you have messy handwriting, go ahead and print labels on your home inkjet printer or ask a friend to write them for you.

Clear cello bags with Halloween candy for candy buffets
Clear cello bags are perfect for guests to fill up and take their candy home.

Step 4 – Buy Favor Bags

Just like clear glass jars work best for displaying the candy, clear cello bags work best for filling. Don’t forget twist ties or pre-cut ribbon so guests can tie their goodie bags shut!

Step 5 – Set Up Your Candy Bar Buffet

Now that you have your candy fill, labeled jars, scoops and bags, you are ready to set everything up! Cover your candy table with a table cloth and add bunting to the front of the table, if desired. A vase of flowers also looks nice amongst the jars of delicious sweets.

On your big day, your guests will love filling their bags with their favorite candy, and you’ll love knowing how easy it was to create!

Leave a Comment

Graduation Announcement Wording Tips & Ideas

Find the graduation announcement wording that is right for you. Here are some ideas on what to write in your graduation announcements and invitations.

Example of wording for graduation announcements
Graduation photo cards can serve as both announcement and invitation.

Graduating from high school or college is a special event, and graduation announcements with pictures are an elegant way to share this achievement with friends and family. Not sure what to write for the graduation announcement wording? Check out some of these announcement examples.

Basic Graduation Announcement Wording

Announcements don’t have to be fancy or overly complicated. If your belief is “less is more” and you would prefer a simple look, just three pieces of information are needed.

  • Graduate’s Name
  • School’s Name
  • Graduating Year

An example wording for your basic announcement text:

Kate Monahan
East High School
Class of 2024

Formal Announcements

Reading more like a wedding invitation, a formal announcement has a sophisticated look and is a good choice for proud parents wishing to send out the announcements to their relatives and friends.

  • Names of Parents or Guardians
  • Graduate’s Full Name
  • School’s Name
  • Graduating Year
  • Graduate’s Major (optional)
  • Honors & Awards (optional)

A sample of a formal graduation announcement text:

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Monahan
Announce the graduation of their daughter
Katherine Anne Monahan
from East High School
On Saturday June 15th, 2024

Story Announcements

Sometimes graduates want to share more than just their name, school, and class year. Feel free to add additional information that you would like to share with everyone. Include a short paragraph on future plans after college, favorite school memory, or even an inspirational quote. Sharing these details creates a more personal card and lets family and friends know what you are up to after graduation.

  • Names of Parents or Guardians (optional)
  • Graduate’s Name (full name optional)
  • School’s Name
  • Graduating Year
  • Graduate’s Major (optional)
  • Honors & Awards (optional)
  • Future Plans
  • Quote

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Monahan
Are proud to announce the graduation of
Katherine Anne Monahan
from East High School
Class of 2024

Kate is attending Columbia College in Chicago this fall where she will study journalism.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

 
Graduation announcement photo insert card with gold foil imprint
Shown: Personalized Black Photo Insert Card with graduation announcement wording sample. This card holds a 4×6 photo.

Invitation Announcements

Popular with high school graduations, announcements can also double as party invitations. Use this opportunity to invite people to an open house or celebration in honor of the grad.

  • Graduate’s Name (full name optional)
  • School’s Name
  • Graduating Year
  • Graduation Date
  • Party Address
  • RSVP Details (optional)

Suggestion for grad party invitation wording:

Class of 2024
Celebrate Kate Monahan’s Graduation
from East High School
May 11th @ 4pm at the
Monahan’s Home
1200 West Palm Court
Sarosta, FL 60615

Sending grad announcements is appropriate for ALL graduations including kindergarten, Montessori, junior high/middle school, high school, community college, state university, and nursing school. All the hard work and time pursuing your education is a reason to share your accomplishment with others by sending an announcement.

Have you written a unique graduation announcement that you’d like to share? Tell us your idea in the comments below.


Where to buy graduation announcements with pictures

Hi! We’re Studio Style, and we specialize in helping people celebrate momentous events—like graduation. Every year, we make photo insert cards, wallet photo cards, and custom printed graduation announcements for high school, college, university, and yes, even the younger years like kindergarten.

Six wallet photo insert cards for graduation announcements
Shown: Wallet Photo Insert Cards

1 Comment

Paper Photo Frames For Valentine’s Day Events

Send guests home with a photo memento of their special Valentine’s Day at your restaurant, cruise ship, gala, party or event.

With Valentine’s Day just a month away, it’s time to make final plans for your event. Whether you are planning a romantic valentines dinner at your restaurant, a special hotel weekend package or taking your event to the ocean, river or lake for a valentine dinner cruise, the right planning will make your valentine’s event one that couples will want to return to year after year.

Left: Valentine’s Day 4″ x 6″ Photo Folder / Right: Heart Dots 2″ x 6″ Photo Booth Folder

Event photography is often a part of special events and are a terrific way for your guests to leave with something tangible to remember their experience. All you need are a photographer, on-site printer or instant film camera and photo event folders.

Sell or give away the photos at the end of the event. It can be a money-making opportunity, or a complimentary gift to say thanks.

Here are a few different types of Valentine’s Day events happening across the country next month.

Valentine’s Day Events On The Water

From romantic night cruises to family brunches, turning “love boats” are a great way to celebrate. Here are some options across the country:

Get up and dance! Valentine’s Day Dances

Everyone loves a party, and dancing always livens up the atmosphere. Check with local park districts, non-profit organizations, and community leaders to see who’s hosting events in your area.

Fundraisers on Valentine’s Day? You bet!

Celebrate love and love of charity! Some organizations and non-profits hold fundraising events Valentine’s Day.


Celebrate this sweet day with photos

Whatever type of event you are planning this Valentine’s Day, event photography is an added extra that will sweeten your celebration.

Shown below: Full-color printed photo folders for handing out pictures at your Valentine’s Day event. These picture jackets can be printed with your logo, photos, or artwork to create a specially designed frame that reflects YOUR business or event. It’s a custom-branded photo souvenir for your guests!

Custom Valentine Photo Folders

Leave a Comment