Alice in Wonderland Party Post 1

Go Ask Kitty by kittymagazine featuring Gucci bags

Alice in Wonderland is the first book I ever remember reading. A child of the 70s, I was naturally acquainted with the psychedelic Disney version of the classic Victorian Age tome. I became intimately more enchanted with the film much later, in college, ahem... but my favorite rendition to this day remains the stage production I saw sometime before 1980 in some Chicago theatre (possibly THE Chicago theatre).

Alice has inspired so many things I've created, from derivative skits, to my own wedding, and even a collection of ornaments and porcelain doodads and such. She shows up in my dreams, on my Christmas tree, and on my pages. She has certainly made many appearances at parties! It is her absurd and fanciful journey through the looking glass that fuels my love of Victorian gardens, red heart motifs, and tea parties. Herewith, I present you with inspiration for your own Wonderland. Click on my rad Polyvore collage above, or peruse the party favors below!

First, I'll delineate several icons of Alice's world that can serve as inspirational jumping points to get you brainstorming. Think gardens. English gardens: topiaries and formalities such as roses. Daisies, yes, but mainly red and white roses ("We're painting the roses red/Who's been painting my roses red"). This setting lends itself to girly tea parties, showers, rush parties, and that sort of thing. Croquet and crumpets, perhaps a nice ladylike game of cards.

Now red hearts and black spades for the Pack of Cards that tends the Queen's garden. There are wonderful illustrations in the free domain since this story is so old. A simple Google will pull up Victorian Mad Hatters, frantic rabbits, and menacing caterpillars you can use as clip art or whatever. Sub-icons may include doors & keyholes, pocket watches, and mushrooms. Bottles labeled, "Drink Me" and cookies proclaiming, "Eat me."

Although an Alice in Wonderland birthday tea party (or Un-birthday party) would be beautiful in the garden for a little girl, I know this isn't a theme tangible or beloved by all. Of course with Tim Burton's version coming out in 2010, I'm sure a whole new generation of dreamers and daydreamers will get hip to this classic tale.