The display of invitation cards on the
mantelpiece has long been seen as the
signifier of social success. There is something
reassuringly classy about copperplate
engraving, thick white card and arcane
phrases: 'At Home', 'Decorations', 'Black
Tie', 'Cocktails'… But don't overdo
it. A battery of grandiose
invitations smacks of
snobbery - especially when,
on close inspection, many
of them have outlived their
usefulness.

Smart invitations radiate a sense of certainty. As a guest, you feel reassured that the evening will proceed along pre-
ordained, well-oiled, long- established, lines. Dress codes will be adhered to, cocktails will be served at a given hour, dancing (suitably organised) will take place, and food will be provided.

Everyone loves a smart invite, but be very careful about letting your aspirations run away with you. If you're organising a party at home where guests will be bringing their own bottles, basic food is served straight from the oven, and dancing - if any - is to your own home-compiled CD, then it would be unforgivably pretentious,  and actually very misleading, to issue a formal invitation. Disgruntled, over-dressed guests would certainly be justified in feeling that the evening was not all it was cracked up
to be.

The function of an invitation is not to impose your social pretensions on your guest, but to send out clear signals about the nature of the event. The design, wording, typography and choice of card all carry a freight of hidden meanings. Your guests will draw conclusions about the formality of the occasion, the clothes they are expected to wear, the availability of food, the likely duration of the party.

If you manage to convey this information clearly, they will head off to the party in a mood of confident expectation; if you don't, they will already be in a bad mood before they arrive, unsure if they are over-dressed, wondering if they should have eaten beforehand, booked a taxi etc.

So put some thought into your invitations and don't succumb to the temptation to over-hype your party. Ultimately, your guests will be grateful for your clarity and much more disposed to enjoy themselves.