Once a month, the ladies gather. There is chai and chaat, a round of housie, the lucky draw for the kitty pot, and enough catching up to fill a television series. The Kitty Party is a much-loved social tradition in South Asian communities around the world, and every hostess wants her month to be the one everyone talks about. This invitation makes sure it is.
Pink, Marigold and a Rangoli Border
The 5 x 7 inch card is a rich hot pink. A big marigold-yellow mandala rises from the top edge, its petals and patterns spreading across the upper part of the card like a festive canopy. Below it, Ladies, it is that time of the month again runs in marigold capitals, a cheeky wink that every kitty member will recognise.
Kitty Party is written large in cream Satisfy script with a deep magenta shadow, and a marigold pill below it announces the theme: THEME: BOLLYWOOD RETRO. A rounded cream card holds the details: the date and time in bold magenta, the hostess’s home and address, a teal italic line promising Chai, chaat, housie, the lucky draw, and all the gossip you missed, and a final line noting that the kitty amount is due on the day, with the RSVP number. A red handbag sits on the left and a cup of chai on the right, both resting on a rangoli-style border of teal and marigold triangles and dots that runs across the bottom of the card. The OTO logo sits in cream on the magenta footer.
How a Kitty Works, for New Members
If someone new has joined your group, or you are starting a kitty for the first time, here is the basic idea. A fixed group of members meets once a month, usually at a different member’s home each time. Every member contributes a set amount of money, the kitty, at each meeting. The total is then given to one member, chosen by a lucky draw or a fixed rotation, until everyone has received the kitty once. It works as a friendly savings circle and a social club in one. The hostess of the month provides the food and games, and the theme and dress code keep things fresh.
Theme Ideas for Every Month
| Month | Theme | Dress code |
|---|---|---|
| January | Winter Wonderland | White and silver |
| February | Hearts and Roses | Red and pink |
| March | Holi Colours | White with bright dupattas |
| April | Bollywood Retro | 60s and 70s film-star looks |
| June | Monsoon Masti | Greens and blues, umbrellas as props |
| August | Teej and Saawan | Green bangles and lehariya prints |
| October | Festive Glam | Gold, sequins and statement jewellery |
| December | Black and Gold Gala | Black outfits with gold accents |
Change the theme pill on the card each month, and the rest of the design can stay the same.
Games Hostesses Love
- Housie (tambola): the classic. Print tickets and call the numbers with funny rhymes.
- Antakshari: a song game where each team sings a song starting with the last letter of the previous one.
- Dumb charades: act out film titles, perfect for a Bollywood theme.
- Passing the parcel with forfeits: the person holding the parcel when the music stops does a dare.
- One-minute games: stack bindis, pick up beads with a straw, or balance bangles.
- Best-dressed award: voted by the group, with a small prize.
The Menu: Chai, Chaat and Something Sweet
Kitty food is about variety and small plates. Popular choices include pani puri or golgappe, dahi bhalla, samosas, pakoras, sandwiches, paneer tikka, and a sweet such as gulab jamun, rasmalai, or a cake for a member’s birthday. Masala chai is essential, and many hostesses also serve a cold drink such as nimbu pani, rose milk, or mango lassi. Arrange everything on a long table with small plates so ladies can graze while playing.
Customising the Mandala and the Card
Every line of text is editable with a double-click: the date, the hostess, the address, the menu line, the kitty note and the theme pill. The mandala at the top is an editable vector illustration; select it to change its colour from the swatch, perhaps to gold for a festive month or white for a winter theme. The handbag and teacup are editable vectors as well, and you can recolour them to match the month’s dress code.
The rangoli border is a single group of triangles and dots; recolour it, or ungroup it to change individual shapes. The pink background can become emerald, royal blue, or deep purple in one click. Fonts are Satisfy for the title and Montserrat for everything else, both in the editor’s font list.
Sending Invitations to the Group
Most kitty groups organise on a messaging group, so a digital invitation is the most practical. Download the card as a PNG or JPG and post it in the group with a short message. For special occasions, such as a kitty’s anniversary or a festival party, a printed card adds a touch of glamour: download the PDF and print on a heavy, smooth card where the pink and marigold look vibrant.
A Hostess’s Checklist
- Confirm the date and theme with the group at the previous meeting.
- Send the invitation one to two weeks ahead.
- Prepare housie tickets, game supplies and small prizes.
- Plan and prepare the menu, or order from a favourite caterer.
- Decorate in the theme colours: balloons, flowers and a photo corner.
- Keep a small notebook for the kitty collection and the draw.
Kitty Party Questions
How many members does a kitty usually have?
Ten to twelve members is common, so the kitty rotates through everyone in about a year.
What if a member cannot attend?
Most groups ask absent members to send their contribution so the kitty amount stays the same.
Can men or couples have a kitty?
Yes. Couples’ kitties and office kitties are popular too. Change the opening line to suit.
Is the kitty amount mentioned on the invitation?
Usually just a reminder, as on the sample card. The exact amount is agreed within the group.
Pick your theme, add your date and address, and post the card to the group. The chai is brewing and the housie tickets are ready.
