"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney

Monday, June 17, 2013

Party Like the Book

I enjoy planning parties. I especially enjoy theme parties based on favorite reads. Below are a few examples.

Wonderland Tea Party – My girls are both fans of Lewis Caroll’s Alice. Here are some pictures of our party designs: http://pinterest.com/sylvianey/my-alice-tea-party/

Dr. Seuss – This party can be adapted to a single Seuss book theme such as Cat in the Hat, Hop on Pop, Lorax, etc. Here are some pictures from the party for my girls: http://pinterest.com/sylvianey/my-dr-seuss-party/

Great Gatsby – I’d love to host one of these, perhaps for New Year’s. To recreate one of Jay Gatsby’s legendary Saturday night galas, invite your friends over to your mansion-away-from-home with Long Island flair for an opulent evening filled with ecstatic jazz (live is best, but if not, a throaty record player will do), and more gin rickeys than you can shake a stick at, dolls. Then slip off your dancing shoes and cap the evening off with a midnight dip in the pool. 1920s fancy dress required for entry; the more pearls and longing looks, the better.

Night Circus – This book begs you to have a fun and mysterious reenactment. Dinner, of course, starts at midnight. Partygoers must wear only black and white, with an occasional dash of red if desired, and the decor should match — black and white plates, napkins, down to the food, which must be as delicious as it is colorless. Several magicians — also dressed in black and white — should be patrolling the event, creating wonders with various levels of veracity. Caramel popcorn should be served for dessert.

Garden/Tea Party – good for Disney Fairies, the Fablehaven series, Mary Poppins, Secret Garden, and Anne of Greene Gales - With festive recipes, a collection of bird houses, and a few crafts this party is simple and fun. http://www.karaspartyideas.com/2012/03/secret-garden-7th-birthday-party.html and http://thefastlanekids.blogspot.com/2012/03/anne-of-green-gables-tea-party-on-first.html

Fancy Nancy - The girls get glitter in their hair and sparkly stars on their cheeks. Then they each get their very own hot pink tutu and butterfly wings to wear and then off to the Kings crown. http://www.andbabiesmakefour.com/2010/01/happy-birthday-to-my-favorite-fancy.html

Jungle Book - I love the palm trees.  She gives directions on how to make them yourself which makes this Jungle Book party a forest feel. You can also adapt those luau party decorations you have. http://www.greygreydesigns.com/2010/10/grants-jungle-book-2nd-birthday.html

Hunger Games - Fun party food like Cookies from Peeta’s Dad, Chocolate Rock Favor bags, goat cheese on bread, poisonous berry mini cake. http://www.confessionsofacookbookqueen.com/2012/03/hunger-games-party-food-ideas/

Winnie the Pooh - The whole feel is very natural, with references to bees, honey and the 100 Acre Wood friends. With very neutral colors, paired with shades of yellow and touches of red, and burlap fabric. http://www.lynleespetitecakes.com/2011/07/silly-old-bear.html

Bookworm – Celebrate your love for all books with this theme including a great color scheme and fun food ideas like Nerds, apples, worms, and lots of fun things to feed your brain, this bookworm party would impress any reader. http://www.jatyourservice.com/2011/09/glitzy-bookworm-ette-birthday.html

Have you hosted or attended any parties based on favorite reads? Please share your own ideas and links below.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

You have some great ideas for parties. Me? well living alone and my only relation who converses with me living in Spain I avoid them. I enjoy when I do visit my son and we all go out for a meal......we being his in-laws.

Yvonne.

Suzanne said...

Love your post :) I planned a retirement party last year here http://www.hwtm.com/index.cfm?page=albums/view_album&albumid=7009. My favourite though was a few years ago a Harry Potter party for one of the boys :)
Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe

EireKitten said...

Great ideas! My ten year old recently had a Greek Goddess theme party (they are all reading the Percy Jackson books). All the girls brought sheets to make togas, and I fashioned some kotinos (olive branch wreaths) that I had lightly sprayed with gold paint. The girls had so much fun and they got to take their wreaths home as part of their swag.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Those are some great ideas. The book worm, hungers games and wonderland ones are my faves.

Nicole said...

Fantastic list! I'm going to need to try out some of these, especially that Hunger Games one.

Sylvia Ney said...

Suzanne - I enjoyed the retirement pictures - great idea! The Harry Potter one is a good idea too - so much potential!

EireKitten - Percy Jackson is another good one. Do you have a link to pictures?

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Holy moley!

My poor underprivileged kids... when they were growing up, their parties consisted of their favorite foods for dinner, bowling or a movie, and a friend or two to spend the night. And cake & ice cream, of course. Poor things.

That Gatsby party would be awesome.

Dana said...

These are great ideas! You're much more creative than I am. The Gatsby party sounds wonderful!