Shopperati is so very, very enamored with party invitations. They are the easiest part of the fete, by far. Do them when you’re all fresh and giddy with ideas, and they announce to your guests that you have it all wired, weeks ahead of time.

What could be better?

Here’s what: Cute, printed invitations that you select online, personalize and have shipped to your door, perfect and ready to address. 

Invitation Box is ready to do your bidding for your Halloween bash, with cards that encourage costumes, give a hint to an elegant affair or just get downright devilish; with your personalization, cards cost about $2 each.

We are wild for the dozens of options at Colors By Design. Here’s an invite to your soon-to-be haunted mansion; a spider-themed card (above, left) catches your guests in its wicked web; and a charmingly nasty witch (above, right) adds a touch of humor to the occasion ($1.70 per card). Paperstyle has an artistic thing going on, with spooky cocktails (right),  partying mummies, die-cut spiders and  witches’ boots ($1.50 to $3 per card). 

We love the colored witches hats at Creations by Leslie ($1.85 per card, above); likewise the bobbing for apples card at Invitations Shoppe ($1.49 per card). Tiny Tidings has cards we didn’t see anywhere else, including a spirited black cat, a colorful haunted house  and an eerily beautiful golden spiderweb printed on black ($2.25-$3 per card). And we’re spooked by the skeleton (above) beckoning us to the Invitation Consultants’ Web site; he totally needs a manicure before the party ($4 a card).

If you’re planning more of a fall or harvest affair, you have plenty of options. Browse around at Announcing It, where there are tons of pretty things like autumn leaves in silhouette, pumpkins on fall stripes (left), a front door decorated for the season or just a classy layered orange and bronze style appropriate for anyone ($2-$3 per card).

Or take a peek at The Invitation Connection, where smiling scarecrows and delicate pine cones decorate their personalized creations ($1.20 to $1.40 a card).

You say you’ve not ordered personalized invites online before? Don’t be a scaredy cat! Most of these companies let you choose your text, the color and type font, and offer a proof service in addition to several shipping options. Many of them also have consultants available by phone if you need advice.