WOBBLE WARNING: The title kind-of says it all. I’m talking about graduations, birthdays, and other special occasions (including Christmas) throughout this post. Please, do not read if you are feeling wobbly today. Hugs…
SPONSORED POST: I absolutely love helping the childless not by choice community. Since maintaining this site isn’t free, however, I have to bring in a bit of revenue to offset costs. So, I did receive a one-time monetary compensation and five free products to write this post. But all opinions are my own. It’s an honest review that includes musings about being childless not by choice and looking at things with a different perspective…
On Graduations, Birthdays, & Special Occasions . . .
Graduations, birthdays, and special occasions . . . Wow! Let’s just talk about all the potentially triggering events at once, Brandi! And during May?! Good grief!
So, why am I choosing to talk about graduations, birthdays, and other special occasions today? Well, because several special events are happening in my life this month. Yup. On top of “M” Day, our oldest niece is graduating from high school, my nephew-by-friendship is getting married, AND we are celebrating all three of our nieces’ birthdays, (plus celebrated Maddie’s earlier this month). Whew! It’s a BIG month with LOTS of emotions. No wonder I’ve had some pretty significant ups and downs…
But I digress…
Let’s start with graduations . . .
High School…
This month, our oldest niece graduates from high school. When we planned our trip weeks ago, we weren’t allowed to attend her graduation ceremony. Because Covid. (Sigh…) At that time, each student was only allowed two guests. So, obviously, her parents would go. The school updated the guidelines and are now allowing eight people. But we’ve already bought our plane tickets. I’m a bit bummed that I won’t get to watch our niece walk across the stage in her cap and gown. But such is life. Things don’t always go how we planned (says every childless woman ever!)
An MBA…
Three years ago, my hubby graduated with his MBA. I fully embraced that moment, knowing it was my chance to plan the celebration. So, when Basic Invite reached out in 2018, asking me if I’d write about their graduation announcements, I thought the timing was perfect! (You can read that post here.)
Creating something special…
Last month, Basic Invite reached out once again. And once again, they asked if I’d write about their graduation announcements. Since our niece is graduating, I agreed to write my thoughts about Basic Invite products.
For Our Niece’s Graduation…
I hopped over to the Basic Invite website the week before Maddie’s birthday. Feeling strong, I browsed their high school graduation announcements. Surprisingly, this did not cause me to wobble. Rather than become melancholy that I would never experience this with my own biological child, I focused fully on the experience I will get to have with our oldest niece. In fact, I chose one of the high school graduation announcements and customized it into a special card that Uncle Dane and I will give at her graduation party.
I had so much fun putting this special card together for our niece! With 180 color choices for the graphics, over 100 fonts to select from, and the ability to upload personal photos, I was able to create a one-of-a-kind card specifically for our niece. Even better, I was able to customize both sides of the card—front & back! (Which makes me smile because I think of Friends…) Because Basic Invite allows customers to order a sample, I was able to get just one card—all I need.
For Maddie’s Birthday…
After I finished creating our niece’s high school graduation card, I began browsing the rest of the Basic Invite website. Because Maddie’s birthday was the following weekend, I decided to check out the birthday invitations. Now, I wouldn’t be speaking with transparency if I didn’t give Basie Invite’s site a “Potential Wobble Warning.” Many of the events are focused on kids. It may surprise you to learn that I created a special card about Maddie’s 8th Birthday using the “Chalkboard Dots First Birthday Invitation” template. I was so excited about celebrating Maddie’s birthday that I ignored the two-legged kid photos and had a ton of fun choosing just the right pic of our fur baby, creating a “Maddie’s Turning Eight!” card.
Because Maddie’s Mammo had already sent gifts for our fur baby’s birthday, I knew I’d need a thank you card. I hopped back over to the graduation section and customized the “Princess Promotion Graduation Thank You Card” to fit my needs. I love this card so much that I think I’m going to order an entire set!
For Christmas…
After that, I browsed the Christmas section. (Are you kidding me, Brandi?! Christmas?! What can I say? I really do love the holiday season…) I put together a two-sided “Brushy Joy Holiday Card” that I just might send out this December 2021…
For Me…
Finally, I browsed the stationery and notecards, creating a fun piece of customized stationery just for me. (It’s pink, of course.)
Some Final Childless Woman Musings…
Our middle niece wants to be a veterinarian. So, perhaps someday in the future, I’ll get to look through the medical school graduation announcements and make a special card for her. I’m not sure I’ll ever need the law school graduation announcements. (Though our youngest niece is pretty darn good at arguing!) But an invite to a Friendsgiving, new business cards, or some modern monogram stickers… Well, if I’m feeling strong enough and can ignore the baby section… Then, the Basic Invite website can be quite enjoyable! (I spent about two hours creating my 5 custom pieces!)
I suppose I say all this because we childless often feel like we are missing out. And I don’t want us to miss out on special occasions for the rest of our lives. I don’t want us to miss out on the fun of creating special cards and stationery and stickers… Miss out on participating in the graduations and birthdays and other special occasions . . .
So, when you aren’t having a wobble… When you are feeling strong and are able to change perspective and focus on the bright sides of your childless life… Well, I encourage you to check out Basic Invite. Create something special for someone you love. Or for yourself! Because everyone deserves to enjoy the fabulous moments of this imperfectly perfect life…
Ready to start a custom creation of your own? Click here…
This post does NOT contain any affiliate links, so I receive no additional compensation if you place an order. (I do hope you’ll consider purchasing from Basic Invite, though. I really do think you’ll be impressed with their products.)
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Featured Photo: Taken by me; Edited using Canva
2 comments
That site is awesome! I see the kisses from Maddie picture and it just melted my heart. I’m thinking customizing has become your middle name. You adapt things to your specific need. And that, my dear, is how you found your joy! 🐾❤💚💜🐾
Awwww! THANK YOU! 🙂