You're invited

ONLINE
Evite is so 2002. Get ahead of the pack by creating an electronic invite at pingg.com. Designs include vintage robots and childlike crayon drawings, and creating a basic invitation (complete with a Web page for your event) is free. Add premium stock images that are more specific to your party (like a kid in a chef’s hat or a toddler licking a lollipop), opt for an ad-free invite or have a postcard copy of your invitation mailed to guests for fees ranging from $2 to $9. Added bonus: Unlike evite.com’s finicky R.S.V.P. e-mail alerts, pingg.com sends a daily e-mail summarizing the newest responses.

DIY
Chicago-based olliegraphic offers a big selection of downloadable kids’ birthday invitations with designs including astronauts and —our favorite— a girl superhero (pictured), for $15. Send ’em party details and any custom requests for colors or font; you’ll receive a PDF file ready to print or e-mail 3–5 days after they receive payment.

Feeling crafty? Invest in a circle cutter ($10 at Blick Art Materials, 42 S State St, 312-920-0300) and some colorful card stock, then layer three different sizes, patterns and colors of circles. Add a ribbon and a stick, write or print party details on the top layer, and you’ve got yourself a fun, gender-neutral lollipop invitation.

CUSTOMIZABLE PRINT INVITES
Local stationer sarahandabraham.com makes sweet invitation designs featuring children’s silhouettes. Pick one of their pre-made creations or order a custom one for an extra $25 fee. We especially love the silhouettes with the solid background and scalloped borders—cute without being overly precious. $25 for eight invitations and envelopes.

EXTREME
If you’re dreaming of an elaborate choo-choo invitation housed inside a red caboose that’s accompanied by a train whistle for your kid’s railroad-themed party, A Perfect Event can do it. The company has created countless extreme party invites, including a glittery castle with a tulle-and-paper princess card inside, and a dump truck with the invitation affixed to its top. Prices start at about $15 per piece. 3050 N Lincoln Ave, 773-244-9333.

For a budget-conscious but no-less-original option, order custom-made tickets from ticketmaster.com. Ranging from 40–90 cents per ticket depending on the quantity you order, each one has an official-looking Ticketmaster logo, custom-printed party details and even a real-deal perforated stub.