Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Tea Party

by Megan
(Campbell, CA)

The best part of this party was that I did it on a budget. Be creative, don't be afraid to ask family and friends to borrow items, scour thrift and antique shops and use the Internet to bring out the artist in you.

Top Items to do before hosting your party:
1. Order or make your invites and include the saying “Don’t be Late for this Very Important Date!”
2. Find an outdoor space that can accommodate your party
3. Mix long and round tables in banquet style seating
4. Mix-match chairs for seating, use one large oversized chair for the host at the head of the table
5. Find vintage lace tablecloths at thrift and antique stores (the more stained the better and less expensive)
6. Mix and match your china with friends or family for the place settings
7. Borrow or find clocks and frames to use as decorations on your table or to hang around your setting
8. Borrow teapots to mix with your own or go to local thrift stores. I found two silver teapots, cream and sugar containers and a silver platter for $25.
9. Attach Drink Me tags to all your pitchers, teapots and teacups. (For water pitchers I used old white wine bottles)
10. Go to your local craft store and buy cut out butterflies to paint and hang above the tables or in trees. (This is a great craft to get your kids involved in)
11. Buy flowers to arrange in centerpiece vases. (Again, thrift stores and home good stores are great places to find inexpensive items) Tip white roses with red paint. I also stuck red roses in some of the outdoor shrubs.
12. Buy foam board at a dollar store to create cartoon characters cutouts. (Use the Internet for “how to” instructions on how to draw the characters)
13. Make everything the night before so that the day of you have plenty of time to decorate your tables and greet your guests.
14. Buy vintage mini perfume bottles and vintage skeleton keys at antique shops to give as favors to your guests (I attached scripture verses with ribbon to them or you can use your favorite quotes)
15. Grandmas and Moms are great resources, we found vintage miscellaneous items from their homes and garages

Here’s my sample menu:

Chocolate Chip & Blueberry Scones
Ginger Cookies with Lemon Curd
Bibb Salad with Green Apples, Avocado and Green Tea
Deviled Eggs
Stuffed Mushrooms
Orzo Pasta Salad
Chicken Wraps
Blue Cheese, Pear and Walnut Sandwich
Goat Cheese and Basil Asparagus
Stuffed Chicken Pastry

Dessert:
Melt Away Cookies (that say Eat Me!)
Mini Lemon Honey Cupcakes
Bon Bon Frozen Pie


HAVE A MAD TIME!

Megan and Jason