05.19.06
A very merry unbirthday…
to me! Actually, it’s my real birthday smack-dab in the middle of June and it’s the big 3-0. I normally don’t do much to commemorate another passing year, but I wanted to do something big for this one. Even if it’s a tad belated. Belated because I want to make it a spectacle, and you can’t do that in 3 weeks. I need at least 4… hehe.
I want to do a mad-teaparty/alice in wonderland themed party. I know I know, I’m not turning three, but I have always wanted an Alice party. I want one of those tipsy whimsical cakes (with a cupcake topper) and each table to be a different theme! I’m actually going to attempt to build a large teapot and using my fog machine, I want to emit steam from the spout! The drawing below gives you a vague idea of what I’m trying to do.
The tables in the yard should have all different colored tablecloths, brightly-colored chinese lanterns strung across from the tree to the gazebo, a cheshire cat etc and so on. Each table will have a different theme:
- 1. Queen of hearts – all black, red and white. Cards everywhere, red and white roses and tiaras!
- 2. Tweedle Dee and Dum – those beanie hats with propellers, swirly lollipops and other candy
- 3. Mad hatter – teapots and teacups everywhere, topiaries etc
- 4. White rabbit table – carrots, fake pocket watches… ummm… other bunny related items?
- 5. Cheshire cat table – all pink and purple things (a la disney… just love those colors!)
For the buffet, I need to come up with some food items! But I know I want to have graduated pedestals with cookies that say “eat me” and little bottles with tags that say “drink me”. I have a TON of these little highball glasses that I got from overstock.com. I’ll make cheshire cat coolers, mad hatter iced tea and I think one drink should be called “off with your head!” That one will have plenty of booze in it ;)
| Here are some tippy cakes that I want! This one is my absolute favorite… with the Cheshire Cat on top… but how could we eat that? I am posting quite a few cake pics because… I adore fun confections. Always have, always will… and hey, who doesn’t? :) |
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This one looks like it’s 1/3 cake and 2/3 frosting. |
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cute :) |
| I think this one is my favorite after the chesh cat one. Stripes, polka dots and harlequin… the busier the better :) |
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Where did this love of Alice come from? Not sure… Alice in Wonderland images have always been smile inducing, but it wasn’t until they put them onto little pieces of metal that I felt the need to collect them. Collect them all.
I’m a recovering pin addict. There, I said it. Back in 1998-ish the pin trading phenomenon started at all the Disney parks… I got hooked in 2000. My first pin… a cheshire cat. After that, it was a huge blur and my last count (before I unloaded them all) was over 2500 pins. (Average price, $6.00 each.. you do the math!) But… I started selling them on ebay and trading so it became somewhat of a business where I could pay for my habit selling my habit. So, I would drag family members and friends down to disneyland at 5 in the morning to get in line for the latest limited edition pin because each guest was only allowed 2. That buzzword will forever stick with me… someone says “limited edition” and I nearly trample people getting to whatever that item may be. The pin trading/collecting created an even deeper need to collect Alice in Wonderland items. I got rid of 2400 pins, but the last 100 consists of Alice, lady and the tramp and nightmare before christmas pins… but mostly Alice pins.
The art from the Disney movie is wonderful… the characters, the enchanting colors and attention to detail… simply delightful. I also fancy the illustrations of Sir John Tenniel and carry a few necklaces with his alice images on them up at the shop (they have sold so I’m a tad inpired to create a whole “mad teaparty” alice themed room for everyone’s shopping pleasure!).
I’ve been doing research for my party today and I’ve found the most amazing websites! I’m not the only one obsessed with Alice in Wonderland… I guess there are quite a few fans out there, fans that do actual research :) A lovely lady named Lenny has the best website chock-full of Alice info, complete with a bio of Lewis Carroll, pictures from the disney movie, tenniel illustrations and even access to a Lewis carroll font… wow! If you have any interest, you should check her site out :)
Another site I found is dedicated solely to disneyland postcards of the past. They are so cool! Because we frequent Disneyland so often, it’s easy to spot the major differences, and entertaining to see how the park has changed over the past 50 years. I also found out that the alice in wonderland ride opened on the same day as my birthday in 1958. Coincidence? I think not!!!
So, really I should be working right now, but doing research for my Alice party has taken over! We had an odd morning, graffiti on the wall coming from the parking lot (which to my surprise, came off with some scrubbing and un-diluted cleaner… I think it’s high school kids with nothing better to do, it was a green bart simpson look-a-like which is OH so classy… Matt Groening they are not) and lots of ants in here… going after nothing. I hate to spray them, but I must :( So, writing about teapots is a lovely distraction.
Pictures from our 3rd anniversary event should be up in a day or two… we put together goodie boxes with a coupon for your next visit, we’re going to have food, drinks and a sale. I think I’ve already mentioned all that. I found out today that many of my customers have been reading this blog! (but nobody will comment!!) Thank you so much! I noticed that we’d had over 600 hits, I didn’t realize we had so many readers, I thought I was just refreshing it too much throughout the day ;)
So, for those of you reading… you should comment! I’m encouraged by such acts and may write more ;) I would love to know what you all think!
Take care everyone, and have a happy weekend! Back to work with me!
joanne said,
May 23, 2006 at 5:59 pm
What’s a URI? Anyway, Becky and I had lots of fun at your 3rd Anniversary celebration. And…..you can’t possibly be reaching “3-0″. Happy Birthday when it arrives!
Violets Are Blue » Go Ask Alice… said,
October 1, 2006 at 4:30 am
[...] Anyone who knows me, knows I really enjoy Alice in Wonderland… anything. Cakes, films, art… But, ironically (or lazy on my part) I have never read the books. Shame on me. I have a few of the books just for the sake of the art, but I really should sit down and read them. Although, the Disney film will always be my favorite ;) [...]
Jenny said,
September 20, 2007 at 2:10 pm
OMG! Thanks so much for posting this… I’m having a Malice in Wonderland themed halloween party for my 21st birthday. Your ideas are wonderful. I hope I have as much fun at my party as you did at yours. Thanks again… Let me know if you can think of any other great ideas.
tooti said,
October 6, 2007 at 2:04 am
Thank you lots!! At last I found some “adults” who share the love of Alice in wonderland!
Me and my twin sister are preparing for Eid “a holiday- for those of you who don’t know” party at our house and this year we picked Alice in wonderland to be the theme.
By the way, we turned 28 last month ;)
Eid Mobarak and a very merry unbirthday to all of you ;)
Tooti
Jeddah – Saudi arabia
Amber said,
October 29, 2007 at 7:27 am
I am curious to know how it all went. My husband and I are planning to renew our vows and I chose an Alice in Wonderland theme for the wedding…however the lack of Alice in Wonderland “props” is making me extremely nervous that this is not going to be the wedding I originally imagined…any building tips (like for your giant teapot) would be such a big help!!!
Hope your party was fabulous!
steph said,
January 1, 2008 at 2:52 am
wow, i am planning a mad hatters tea party wedding and you have come up with some unique ideas. i would really like to know how everything turned out
Nancy said,
January 23, 2008 at 9:04 pm
i am planning my sister’s baby shower, and the theme is Alice in Wonderland! How did your birthday go?? Your ideas are so fresh and great!
hollie hegyi said,
February 7, 2008 at 9:24 pm
How much would one of these cost ? where are they made and where can i have on made for little sisters baby shower it is march the 9th please respond asap thank you very much
hollie hegyi
madi said,
March 20, 2008 at 1:59 am
hello!
i came across your blog as i am researching for my 21st…..i want to do an alice in wonderland theme!!
do you have any info / tips etc of stuff you did??
or where i can find giant things?!
thanks.
madi
carrie said,
March 25, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I’m planning my wedding right now for ‘09 and I’ve always wanted to have a subtle alice in wonderland theme for my recpetion.
So far I’ve found the perfect setting, A formal rose garden that will be in bloom around our date. I’m planning on using tea pots as center pieces on some tables and houkas (a la the catepillar) on a couple of tables, I’m hoping to use playing cards and place cards. I’m not going to have a wedding cake but inst”Drink me” tags on all of the glasses. I like the idea of using pocket watches. I was thinking about putting a croqet mallet and balls on the food table and my sister and I are going to get a few silk white roses and dip the tips in Red paint. It also occured to me that a chess board would make a good center piece. I like the idea for your tweedle dee and tweedle dum themed table and may use that as well. Thanks for sharing your ideas. Its inspried me
Clare Jeffery said,
March 31, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I am having an Alice in Wonderland themed 21st July 2009.. am soo excited.
I have a props company making props for me.. cant wait. Is costing me a bomb, but so worth it, only turn 21 once.
But loads of ideas i’ve been coming up with that arent so costly. i’m having an afternoon tea buffet.. like sandwiches (with crusts taken off) and a big selection of cakes, pastries etc eat me cup cakes.
I’m having pimms on arrival, and every glass will have drink me, tags on.
lots of having laterns & bright lights all around the marquee.
Its not fancy dress, as i want to be the only one as alice, but i’m getting a dressed made up like “new/modern” alice gwen stefani theme, as i already have an orginal alice dress, but wanted something a bit more adult, and i dont do brought off the shelf costumes.
i’m going to have loads of ballons, confetti, and you can get fairly cheap custm bannes made up for under £20/£30 that can say happy unbirthday, welcome in wonderland etc from http://www.partydelights.co.uk
Only thing i’m stuggling with is what to do for invites, i dont like invites shaped like tea pots, but i want something really out there & orginal??
Nadia said,
April 9, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I wanted to know how everything turned out….do you have pictures?
emily said,
April 28, 2008 at 1:26 am
This site is awesome! I am planning my daughters birthday for July 2008. So much to do…so little time! Thanks for everyones comments. Im having trouble trying to figure out how to make life size cut outs of the characters…not the best at drawing. :( I have so many ideas but have not put them together yet. If anyone has pictures of their parties…do you mind posting them? Would love to see them!
Lauren said,
May 18, 2008 at 7:40 pm
I am going to have an alice in wonderland wedding. I need to find decorations. I need ideas on colors and how to incorporate the theme without it looking like a birthday party. I want to go for spring colors, not black, white, and right. I am very into the surrealist part of alice in wonderland.Please I need ideas! thanks
Dayna said,
August 28, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I wanna have an Alice in wonderland Birthday Party I’m turning 19 years old its a big thing when your living in the northwest territories.
I am excited!! Great Cake ideas.
Miriam said,
October 14, 2008 at 11:55 am
I will be celebrating my daughters sweet 15 next Nox 09 . She want’s a Alice in wonderland theme because she’s want’s somethig diffrent.
I saw your blog and you have great ideas wondering if you can help me with ideas and or show me pictures of how your parety turned out.
Please help don’t have a clue were to start with decoration, table , drinks and all that good stuff.
Can you please help.
Thank you,
Miriam Marroquin
Abby said,
January 9, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Great theme….I’ve having it as my 25th…raunchy alice I’m calling it! I’ve googled so much but I love your cakes…Will be ording one for myself. I’m gla so many other people are still big kids at heart! I can’t wait for all the photos I think it will be mad! ha
Carole said,
February 15, 2009 at 9:19 am
I’m having my 60th birthday this year and I love Alice in Wonderland, have been searching for a mad hatter cake for it but love the whole idea of the theme birthday. Love your ideas.
Liz said,
April 3, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I stumbled across your page while searching for bday ideas. I am trying/wanting to do the exact same thing for my 30th bday in 3 and a half weeks. You are right it’s not enough time, espacially when I have no money. I really wanted this to be a special birthday, because it is sort of a milestone even though age is just a number. I only feel 22. Wish me luck!
Cath said,
May 18, 2009 at 7:38 pm
There are so many great ideas on page. So glad everyone shared. As maid of honor, I’m planning my best friend’s bridal shower and she has requested an Alice/Mad Hatter Tea Party theme.
he only prop I cannot find is the large red chair Alice sits in at the end of the table. I wanted to have this as the bride’s chair. Anyone have any suggestions on where I can rent one or how I can maybe make one? I have some time. Party is not till end of August, but I know this one will be hard to find.
Thanks!
Mariah said,
August 6, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Hi. I stumbled across your site while looking for ideas for my little girls’s first birthday party. I was wondering if you had any pictures from your alice themed party….i’m looking for some inspiration.
Thanks
Mariah