“We’re all mad, you’ll fit right in!”
Alice in Wonderland Teapot
The Mad Hatter,
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
by Lewis Carroll
“I was walking one day and along came a white rabbit, hopping down the path. The whiteness of the fur against the winter day was like a beacon, so I followed the rabbit…down its rabbit hole. And, found myself in a strange place: a long table set for a tea party. “Oh well, I thought…I like tea, so I guess I’ll go along for the ride! This dream inspired me to plan my very own Mad Hatter’s Party…or was it a dream, after all?”
Alice in Wonderland is a magical, odd, whimsical book that’s given flight to many children’s imaginations — that’s why you should throw a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party of your very own: just for fun.
No better time then now with the NEW “Alice In Wonderland” Movie hitting theaters in March!
Of course, there aren’t many rules — that’s the whole point. But, you can start with the very un-birthday sort of basics from the party:
Rule #1: No matching…teacups, teapots, clothing, decorations, flavors–anything goes!
Rule #2: The goal is quirky fun, so plan some surprises!
Rule #3: That’s it, no more rules!
Let’s start with setting the scene. A long table is best, so all your guests can partake in the silliness together. Go for lots of vivid color mixed with black and white — a checked tablecloth perhaps with odd centerpieces – fuschia flowers and turquoise candles, boxwood cubes or fun topiaries. If you can, get chairs of different heights and textures around the table so people are sitting at different heights. Make the head of the table, the so-called Mad Hatter’s Throne, an especially unusual chair.
Preserved Boxwood Cube
Deck the table with your mismatched tea cups, saucers and teapots…this can be done simply by mixing and matching cups and saucers from different sets and exchanging the teapot lids. Or, keep an eye out at yard sales and flea markets for floral or brightly colored ones.
Serve whatever type of tea you like -a rooibos or herbal varieties will do nicely- but truly, the focus will be on the food! Nothing normal-sized, that’s boring. Go for very small delicacies, like mini-muffins, mini-brownies and very petit-fours. Or, go big, with a towering three-tiered cake decorated in bright colors. Things shaped like mushrooms, flamingos, croquet, rabbits, etc are all fair game. Have fun!
If you want to play up the theme, attach little notes to the food and drink that say “Drink me” or “Eat me,” just like in the book. You can play on the Queen of Hearts theme by making cookies in the shapes of heart, diamond, club and spade and coloring them with icing. Or, make sandwiches and cut them into those shapes.
The Mad Hatter at the Disney Parade
Now, the guests — you’ll want to prepare them for this fun affair, so set the tone with the invitations straight away. Use cutouts, print part of invitation sideways or upside down, and make sure it’s striking. If you want them to come dressed in costume, give some tips on the back as to what you are thinking — should they wear time period pieces? Come as Alice in Wonderland characters? or just wear their best fun outfit, with a hint of mismatch?
Outside the location of the party, you may want to prime the anticipation of your guests by having painted signs that indicate what fun they are in for — colorful signs that are arrows point every which way, or that say “This way to the Unbirthday party!” You can go even further by making the front door a rabbit hole, or a looking glass. If you don’t have a large looking glass, make one out of smooth tin foil.
Feel free to change things up with funny name tags, like people’s names spelled backward or some silly phrases put together like “Mugglewump Apostrophe” or “Carmelina Petunialily.” Or, set some rules and let people’s imaginations go to work. You can also declare contrarian rules, just like the Mad Hatter, such as “yes for no” or right for left,” etc. It should certainly make passing the tea and cookies interesting!
Alice in Wonderland 2 Tier Stand
Games are a must for a fun, zany party. Try something crafty, like “Make your own Mad Hat!” Set up places to play any type of cards, depending on the age range and of course, lawn croquet! If you can, cut out some animals to tape to the croquet wickets and clubs.
And, last but not least, have fun! Once the planning is done, go with the flow and see how nutty your guests are feeling. Send them off with a gift bag (any odd assortment of candies and cards) and plans for the next event…on someone’s unbirthday, of course.
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