Monday, January 31, 2011

Leila's Alice in Wonderland Party

I think it was about a week after Leila's third birthday party that she told me she wanted an Alice in Wonderland birthday party when she turned four.  Imagine my surprise when I asked her a few months ago what kind of birthday she wanted and she was still stuck on Alice!  So, my I started thinking.... I bought some cute graphics on Etsy and made my own invitaton:


I had a lot of fun making the party favors this year.  Each girl got an Alice in Wonderland bottle cap necklace, teacup charm bracelet, fabric-covered button ring and book.



When the big day came I was so excited to decorate! I rented small tables and chairs, and borrowed a bunch of mismatched teacups, teapots and other goodies from a family friend .  My friend Erin sent over some cute decorations (including the awesome "painting the roses red topiaries and bunting) that she used for a Mad Hatter wedding shower.  I made a bunch of "eat me" and "drink me" tags, and glued googly eyes to a bunch of fake flowers and scattered them all around.



Outdoor decor was fun too!  Paper sign from Kutekardz on Etsy, attached to a spray-painted yardstick:



I glue gunned cards to a Valentine's wreath, and we had a clock stopped at 11:00 (party time!) by the door.
 Lots of smiling flowers!

Food was kept simple.  "Tea sandwiches" (crust-less peanut butter and jelly cut with flower cookie cutters), three different kinds of goldfish, mac 'n cheese served in individual ramekins with mini forks, and good old pizza.




Each girl had their own tea cup and were served their choice of tea (lemonade, fruit punch or berry punch)



When the girls were just about done, there was a knock at the door....

....and it was Alice, herself!

She read the girls the Alice in Wonderland book.


And then helped the girls decorate sugar cookies and color Alice pages!





As if the girls weren't sugared-up enough from the cookies we had a variety of desserts for them to choose from, including cupcakes, pink meringues, "Eat Me" and teacup cookies.




This was the first year that we let Leila completely choose the guest list for her party.  She knew that she only wanted girls, but (and this is a direct quote) "Daddy can stay if he dresses up."  And being the fun daddy he is, he did! Tony found a green jacket and cummerbund from the goodwill and made a top hat out of cardboard and felt! Gianna was a little Queen of Hearts (dress by Lover Dovers Clothing)



And Leila, of course was Alice.


This party was a lot of fun to throw!

19 comments:

amaya said...

you don't miss a single detail, do you. What a beautiful parrty; I wish you were my mom! lol!

Heather @ Glitter and Gloss said...

Thank you, Amaya! It was a lot of fun to throw!! :)

Gina said...

You are the best party-thrower ever.

Got any cute BOY party ideas?

Heather @ Glitter and Gloss said...

:) Thanks, Gina! What about a firefighter party?? You know I'm partial to firemen!

Cortni said...

Love it!! Where did you get the supplies for the teapot bracelets?

Jenni said...

wow! that looks like one amazing party!!! you got every single detail! great job mama!

does she have her request in for next year already?!

Heather @ Glitter and Gloss said...

On Etsy! :)

Dear Lillie said...

Happy Birthday to little Leila and what a fun and beautiful birthday party!

W and J said...

Um...

#1: WOW!

#2: Can I please be four again?! I wish I was invited!!

#3: I'm *SO* hiring you for future b-day bashes..or at least going to desparately pick your brain!!

#4: Sooo loved all the tea cups & tea pots & outdoor decor! And those favors are a.mazing!

I *think* that's all! Well done, Mama!

Heather | Cookie Mondays said...

so much fun! and the first thing camden told everyone when we got home is that tony poured the tea. chloe and chayse thought that was HILARIOUS! :) hahaha!

beSlightlyAskew said...

I love this! Wow! I wanna come to your parties.

Tara said...

absolute PERFECTION!!!!

you always do such a fabulous job!!!!

JoAnn V. (http://joboogie.typepad.com) said...

Super cute party! Love it! :)

mel @ the larson lingo said...

Such a fun party! You did a great job! Loved all the little details. So glad we could be there to help celebrate! :)

Unknown said...

What an adorable theme and party. Those cupcakes are sweet.

Jessica @ Barefoot by the Sea said...

THIS is the cutest idea I've seen in a long time! I love all the details and now am your newest follower!

Check out my tutorial too! www.barefootbysea.blogspot.com

Tara said...

p.s. i know i may be getting a little ahead of myself, but would it be possible for me to borrow your cupcake tower thingy for brady's party? i cringe at the thought of buying one cuz i know it wont get used but once a year...

Heather @ Glitter and Gloss said...

Of course - just remind me!

tammyjh84 said...

I love the whole party, great idea. I'm going to copy the idea for our local library and host an Alice in Wonderland Party.
Quick question, I looked on etsy for the teacup charm bracelets but could locate them. Do you know who you bought them from?
Thanks
Tammy

 

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