Photo: Annie Leibovitz
This Saturday, I’m throwing my very first tea party. Of course, it won’t be your typical prim-and-proper gathering where the air is so thick with tension, the guests are afraid to utter a word. This will be the kind of a tea party that makes Mad Hatter… go mad!
With Alice In Wonderland being a popular theme these days, I thought you might want some tips on how YOU can throw your own Wacky Tea Party!
- Pick a Theme
No party is complete without a theme. Themes allow people to relax, not to take themselves too seriously, and just have fun! Being inspired by grandmas – especially the batty, eccentric kind that live in houses resembling wonderland – I knew that quirkiness bordering on senility was the way to go! I once read a story about an old lady that lived in a house full of birds – cages piled up to the ceiling, birds flying everywhere, utter madness. This is the kind of stuff we’re talking about!
Whatever the theme, you’ll want to decorate my house accordingly. Excess is the key, as you want your decorations not just to reflect the theme, but to exaggerate it! Luckily, my mom has a collection of quirky antique china and utensils…
- Invite some Colorful Guests
“You won’t be bored with me, but you will be embarrassed,” my friend Leon once told me. I’ve invited friends from all kinds of motley circles – from musicians to marketing analysts to puppet-makers. Some hosts may wish for subdued guests but I like mine to be a little out there – they make for the most interesting conversation!
- Dress Like a Mess!
Do I even need to mention that the loopier the outfit, the better?! With me, it’s always ‘dress to impress’ – even if the only person impressed in the room is yourself! I firmly believe that better times are to be had when you’re wearing something outlandish – you effectively become a character stripped of all your insecurities, there to have fun. Besides, who can resist wearing a huge party dress?!
- Fun-tivities
Having interesting guests plays a big role in the success of your party, but they alone won’t be able to provide the necessary entertainment. Engage your guests in some kind of activity – games, story-sharing, or – in our case – baking and decorating cupcakes! Each guest will be given an opportunity to deck out their own cupcake to fit their personality – or, rather, persona they’d adapted for the night!
Deerlings: what would you wear/do for your Wacky Tea Party?
This is wonderful! I’ve been wanting to throw a tea party with my best friend for the longest time.Thank you for this!
Doe Deere Reply:
February 12, 2010 at 10:32 pm
You’re welcome!
Sounds like it’s going to be a blast! :D I really love the china and silverware.
I love Japanese Lolita fashion and Alice in Wonderland… and I also loved the new Sherlock Holmes movie. Everyone would decorate their own top hats and eat on faux-jeweled plates! Like the bounty from a detective’s hard day’s work. :D And me? If money and time were no object, I’d wear a red victorian dress with gold trim and black lace. And my own velvet mini hattie as well. :D
kagitsune Reply:
February 12, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Oh, and BTW, could you put references for your post photos? They’re always really pretty and I want to know where I can see more! :D
Doe Deere Reply:
February 12, 2010 at 1:59 pm
I’m usually really good about crediting people but some pictures I just don’t know the authors. If you do, please let me know and I’d be happy to add a credit!
Mina Reply:
February 15, 2010 at 7:13 am
Eg. this pic http://www.flickr.com/photos/limecrime/4333001418/
is from lovely Rhiannon.
http://www.liebemarlene.blogspot.com/
I threw a vodka glitter teaparty once and built a sugarlump castle to go with it!
beautiful editorials!
xx
LOVE FROM M POPPY
LIVING IT UP IN LONDON
UNIQUE AND STYLISH
I lovelovelove that first photograph by Annie Leibovitz. It’s one of my favorites.
As far as what I’d wear for a wacky tea party (which I was actually planning not too long ago for a clothes exchange) would definitely be some bold colored stockings, a fluffy dress, and my five inch leopard wedges.
I think I might want to have a tea party in the park for my 20th birthday on march 27th. I think I shall spike the tea with drugs to make it MAD! I think I will wear an outrageous bouffant & hair accessory (I have many, but which one to pick?), violet tulle tutu I made, corest I found in the thrift store dumpster, and of course, no mad tea party would be complete without limecrime Airborne Unicorn lipstick prints on the teacups!
I want to host an event in my community that’s a fashion show/tea party. I’d serve cocktails in brightly coloured, metallic-glazed tea cups!
OMG Girl! This is epic :)
Much love always,
Glendy
Doe Deere Reply:
February 12, 2010 at 10:32 pm
You’ll be missed ;) But don’t worry, there will be more parties to come!
How funny, my friend is throwing a tea party this Saturday as well. I’m going to dress lolita for it and I made cake pops.
Doe Deere Reply:
February 12, 2010 at 10:33 pm
What’s a cake pop??
Bebette Reply:
February 13, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Oh my goodness. Its a cake-lollipop sort of confection. This is the place to go to learn about cake pops: http://www.bakerella.com/category/pops-bites/cake-pops/
I would hold it on the floor on a fancy printed tablecloth or rug with spiced teas and have the guests give each other henna tattoos!
“better times are to be had when you’re wearing something outlandish – you effectively become a character stripped of all your insecurities”
I fully agree with this! It is true. I am much more out going when I am dressed up then in my teacher gear at work!
Melinda Reply:
February 13, 2010 at 1:13 pm
I second this one, I’m working on my blog right now about how I dressed up for the Wolfman, but instead went to see Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Oh the shame!
This girl always has the most amazing parties!:
http://faerishimmer.livejournal.com/198453.html
http://faerishimmer.livejournal.com/198853.html
As for me, if I were going to a Mad Tea Party I’d wear something really cute, girly, and striped, like a dress by Jessica Louise. This one is a good example. I’ve also got this blue Jessica Louise dress.
Kuri Reply:
February 13, 2010 at 1:05 am
Thanks for the idea ;) A faerie tea party for my birthday sounds perrrfect.
I had an alice in wonderland tea party for my sweet sixteen. We had tea in mismatched tea cups, and played apples to apples. I wore a blonde wig, lacy burgundy dress and a top hat bigger than my head. It was great.
My God! I do this as often as I can! I love Tim Burton, Alice in Wonderland, and different music like the White Stripes. a popular theme with me is “opposites”, not only is do I ask everyone to come in pairs and dress as complete opposites (mad as hell too!) but I have iced tea instead of hot, and ‘upside-down’ food as I like to call it lol we always have the best time! It’s so crazy that you posted this because I was thinking of having another one soon. All the best with your first Mad Tea Party! it will be awesome!
Zane Reply:
February 12, 2010 at 7:52 pm
also, that tea set is to die for! your mum is the coolest :D
I’d love a Victorian tea party where someone would play the Violin and everyone would tie ribbons in their hair and wear mary janes.
Sounds and looks yummy, wish i was going, next one..tehe!!
HEY HEY FINALLY i get to write a comment, woot hoot…hope all is well, cupcake hugs
Doe Deere Reply:
February 12, 2010 at 11:01 pm
There will most certainly be a next one – hope to see you then! :)
I just love this. Sounds like a really fun idea.
This makes me want to throw a tea party. I have a cute little pink tea set that my best friend got me for my birthday a few years back that has sadly…NEVER BEEN USED! It’s time to put it to good use i think. :)
Oh dear I so want to do this. But I don’t really know who to invite… hmm…
Well, since I don’t actually like tea, I made ice tea! it was yummy, although maybe a tad too sweet ^^
you should check out the tea time links on http://oldfashionedliving.com
huugs
(btw, just decided to have cupcakes instead of real cake for my graduation party, it’s gonna rock!)
I had a tea party for my 17th. It was so cute. We played croquet and hula hooped. There was a cupcake platter, big heart shaped cakes, and everyone drank out of tea cups. We all wore big frilly party dresses and top hats and gentlemen’s accessories. And I covered the place in streamers, glitter, paper hearts, and mini playing cards. ♥
I live in a small town, but we actually have a very fancy Victorian style coffee/tea house that offers tea party packages. From fancy little girl birthday parties to grown-up themed affairs, they can hook you up with fancy teapots, teas, china, biscuits and all sorts of dainties. They’re also open to the public so you can stop by for a proper tea any day!
What interesting timing! In December I decided I was going to have a tea party for my birthday! We’re going to see Alice in Wonderland (dressed in modern Victorian outfits), then drive to my friends house for tea sampling, croquet and horseback riding!
omg im soo glad tht ur doin this iv been plannin a tea party for like ever. i cant wait to see ur pics of urs i bet it will b amazin. mines alice in wonderland theme, my freind kean is gunna b the mad hatter for me an answer the door to evryone. omg i cnt wait woo, im soo overly excited bout it!!!!
mama’s antique china with lots of centrifuchsia lip prints! xoxo
Oh, I would love if you posted some pictures of this tea party!! It sounds amazing! I’ve always wanted to have my own :]
Doe Deere Reply:
February 14, 2010 at 1:25 pm
I definitely will on Monday!
A few months back I participated in this tea party fundraiser. My table was “Alice in Wonderland” themed, complete with mismatched chairs and quirky tableware. I was dressed as the Mad Hatter. I wore a tuxedo shirt, black skinny jeans, a super-bright blue floor length suit jacket (amazing thrift find) and matching top hat. It was so much fun, I would really love to do it again! Maybe for my birthday in April. : )
Oh dear…I could never throw a tea party…All of my friends are frat boys…
I am so happy I read this blog entry!!! My best friend from back in high school randomly texted me Saturday night and we decided to have a little tea party this afternoon. I hate spending Valentine’s alone, i mean who does? So rather than sit all day or try to work all thorugh today, i met up with my friend. She broke out her grandma’s fine china, i brought some cookies and flowers, and we grabbed her boyfriend, roommate and brother to join us. I dressed up in my Valentine’s day best (which included lots of pink, red and magenta!!). We had yummy green tea and played some Wii. Thanks for suggesting this!! I only wish we had taken some pictures….I guess this means we need to do it again sometime soon : )
i love this. now i really want to throw a tea party! but unfortunately, i don’t know many people who’d be interested…
Vivian Reply:
May 29, 2010 at 6:02 pm
I know how you feel…..
Some people are just so closeminded…..
Oh how fun! I’m thinking I *have* to put together a Roundup for the upcoming Alice movie. I’ll be linking to this.
[...] Throw yourself an Unbirthday Party! [...]
I volunteer for a charity table setting luncheon and this will be my 12th year. My theme this time is ‘Go Ask Alice’. It is in October an I was concerned that the world would be bored with Alice in Wonderland by then and there may be another table or two with the same idea. But “quirkiness bordering on senility was the way to go! I once read a story about an old lady that lived in a house full of birds – cages piled up to the ceiling, birds flying everywhere, utter madness” was exactly what I was looking for. I knew the effect I wanted, I just didn’t have the words. You have given me the spark I was looking for.
If you are interested, I will post towards the end of October if you remember. Anyways…thank you
[...] but not least: Wacky Tea Party : I am so doing this. Possibly for the newly engaged sister of mine. Or just because it’s [...]
Wow!!! Such a great idea!! but, sadly, if i ever proposed the idea of having a Victorian (or Alice in Wonderland) themed tea party with MY friends, I’d be stoned. LOL. This is so cool tho! I’m way into this stuff. i have the Victorian crazy, puffy dresses, the tea china, the hats, everything. i love it! i believe i was born into the wrong century. I love this stuff. I’m truly obsessed. Its nice to find a place that i can talk to others that love this stuff too.
how do I get an outfit like that? i really want that dress