When planning a birthday party, you may become so involved in the execution of the menu and activities that your party invitations take a back seat to the rest of the festivities. Unique birthday invitations can be the backbone of your efforts. Your party invitations can inspire your guests so that the fun begins way before the actual party.

Think of it this way. Your party invitations set the stage, giving your guests ideas on how they might contribute to the flavor of the event. Unique birthday invitations open the door to a successful, on-target party.

Digital art is one medium to whet the appetites of your guests. Is your birthday person a bird watcher? Grab your camera. Birds are everywhere. Capture the moment and mood of birds in flight, that squawking Blue jay or wintering nuthatch. Load the photo up and play with it. Using your photo as a background, inscribe the words of your invitation. Thus are unique birthday invitations born. Your guests will pick up on your theme and gear their gift to your theme.

Is your birthday friend a writer? Unique birthday invitations can spur your guests in the right direction. Using parchment paper and calligraphy to convey your desire for the pleasure of their company will likely produce thoughts of gifts suitable for their writing friend. Writers love everything associated with the written word, and subtle, unique birthday invitations may well result in gifts of journals, pens or software, all inspired by your party invitations.

Murder mystery parties invite unique birthday invitations. There are many online sources of this fun theme. The murder mystery party service may provide provocative invitations. If not, devise your own. Your invitations should excite your guests, knowing that someone in attendance is “it”. Keep in mind that successful unique birthday invitations get your guests in the “surprise” mode.

If you'd just like to take a new and different slant, a medieval theme can be a winner. Who can resist the romance and beauty of a Medieval theme? There are bookstores and cookbooks online elevating the innocent and romantic times of the Medieval period. Unique birthday invitations with a Medieval slant might include digital renditions of wood engravings of the period overlaid with the wording of your invitation. “Hear ye, hear ye!”, combined with pictures of the knights of old and some genuine recipes of the time can fill your guests with enthusiasm.

If your birthday person is a gardener, try dried flower cards to set the mood of your party. Many card stores and gift shops carry parchment paper cards, laminated with delicate bouquets of dried flowers, with a blank note card area just waiting to be filled in with your personal message. These unique birthday invitations will give your guests a clue as to the slant you're taking, inspiring gardener-friendly gifts.

Making unique birthday invitations can be a challenge but can make the difference between a ho-hum party and a true celebration. It's all up to you!