Curb your loins ladies and gents, queens and cards, rabbits and hatters, because Alice in Wonderland Day is nigh! It’s just overshadowed by the more formidable holiday of the Fourth of July.
The tale of Alice in Wonderland started as a simple story. Told by Lewis Carroll to three small girls in a boat adrift on the Isis River, the youngest–who happened to have the name of Alice–loved the story and begged him to write it down.
Two years later (with the help of a little opium) Alice in Wonderland was published.
Even without the opium it probably would’ve taken that long to write, it just wouldn’t have had the same bizarre charm to it.
And now, every July 4th, the Brits toss on an awesome top hat and throw a party, and it’s been down the rabbit hole ever since!
Things to do on Alice in Wonderland Day
Read Alice in Wonderland
Obviously, you can’t just start reading it in some plain, relaxing setting. You need to set the scene. This is Alice in Wonderland Day, after all.
I recommend a blanket under a tree in a public place, because the book should be read out loud for the world to hear. To children, yourself, befuddled strangers, and even the squirrels.
Preferably in costume.
If you’d rather read indoors, try starting out in an oversized armchair. There is always a chance you will change sizes while reading, so have a smaller chair available as well. One that’s not precariously close to breaking under your weight, because that’s a bit much.
Alice in Wonderland: The Original 1865 Edition
- Through the Looking Glass – Follow Alice through a mirror and settle into some chaos! Is it Alice’s dream? The King’s dream? Not to mention, you know how much I love unicorns.
- Picnic Blanket – This is just the blanket you need to get you in the spirit of things. Just make sure you don’t lose your food in the void.
- Alice Costume – This adorable apron can be worn every year. And reused for baking, or dressing up as a 50s housewife. Plus, you won’t look so weird reading a book out loud to yourself in public when dressed as an actual book character people recognize.
- Tutu – For those who like to commit, this blue tutu worn under the apron will turn you into the hit of the picnic party.
Throw a Tea Party
It can’t be an Alice in Wonderland Day without a tea party.
Place a large table outside, with mismatched chairs, and get ready to throw down. You’ll need teapots, teacups, saucers, and a fantastic tablecloth.
And top hats. Lots of top hats.
- Table Cloth – Set the mood of your party and keep your table clean. Winning!
- Serve Tea – The owner of this store grinds the tea with a bicycle. You can order loose tea and powdered tea; it’s important that your guests are slightly confused. It is a Mad Hatter tea party, after all.
- Mad Hatter Tea Cups – These adorable paper cups will get everyone in the mood for a proper tea party. And who doesn’t love an easy clean-up!
- Colorful Party Hats – As mentioned before, for this party, everyone needs a hat. Keep these around for those friends who “forgot” one.
- Unbirthday Gifts – These pins and keychains are the perfect gifts to celebrate this very unspecial day.
Decorate Your Home
Good news! These decorations can be left up all year. Unless the decor is a tad too much for the setting of what you want your normal home to look like. In that case, stash them away in the basement and bring ’em on out on the 4th.
- Wall Clock – This is a great place to start. But don’t stop at one, and make sure that none of them work. Or that they all say a different time.
- Unbirthday Banner – This cute unbirthday banner can be personalized. Feel free to use a name that isn’t yours.
- Throw Blanket – Really, this can be used for anything. A couch cover. A wall decoration. A curtain. Be like Alice and think outside the box.
- Garden Ornaments – Your homeowner’s association will love these. I promise.
- Metal Poster – That’s right. A metal poster. Where wouldn’t you hang this?
Have an Alice in Wonderland Arts & Crafts Party
Do you love arts and crafts? Is your living room actually a storage room for paint, glue, fabric, and glitter? Let’s make a beautiful mess of it.
- Crochet an Alice Doll – This doll is only slightly creepy. Settle in, drink some tea, and read the directions, because this Alice in Wonderland amigurumi doll isn’t for beginners.
- Alice in Wonderland Rug Hook – Yes, this art form survived the 80’s. Follow the pattern, and you won’t get lost like Alice did.
- Create Story Stones – This one is great for kids. Simply place the picture on the stone, rub, and voila! Art! Place the stones in your garden, on your bookshelf, or leave them in the bag and bring them out for story-time.
- Water Color Kit – Another great idea for kids, as well as adults who never quite got past elementary art. With 4 different canvases, you’ll be able to re-decorate your house in no time.
- Coloring Book for Kids – This is the perfect opportunity for your kids to practice illustrating. The pictures are perfect for crayons, and the story has been abridged for younger readers.
- Crayons – Did anyone else become obsessed with keeping their crayons color-coordinated? Well today’s not the day for OCD, so instead, scramble your colors and choose the shortest, because it’s gotta be the bestest.
- Coloring Book for Adults – Coloring isn’t just for kids. And as an adult, it is perfectly acceptable to color outside of the lines.
- Gel Pens – 100 different colors. Just make sure that the roses are red or off with your head.
Play Alice in Wonderland-Themed Games
No one is going to be bored at this party. Tea, books being read aloud, along with lawn games will make sure of it.
- Croquet – This backyard game never gets old. And the flamingo mallets are a fantastic touch. Reuse them as lawn ornaments?
- Giant Chess Board – Get your steps in AND get an arm workout while on this giant chess set. Your backyard is rapidly becoming the place to be.
- Playing Cards – Buy these Alice-themed playing cards and settle in for the day. Play Solitaire. Learn Hearts. Or Bridge. This book will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about card games.
Watch the Movies
It isn’t Alice in Wonderland Day without watching at least one of the movies. Definitely have them all on hand, in case it rains and your guests start getting feisty.
- Alice in Wonderland – The classics are always the best place to start. Made in 1951, this movie has all of the original Disney magic. If you know, you know.
- Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton’s Version) – Again, if you know, you know. Only Tim Burton could pull off this remake.
- Alice Through the Looking Glass – This one was directed by James Bobin. Don’t worry. It’s still weird.
- Movie Projector – Obviously these movies need to be watched outdoors, projected onto your house wall. Or a sheet tied between two trees with people playing chess and croquet below.
- Outdoor Solar Lights – Shaped like mini mushrooms, of course, so that your guests can see. Only kind of important.
In Conclusion…
Yes, this day coincides with another day. This is not a valid reason for ignoring it. It just means you have to be a bit more creative while fireworks light up the sky.
Make your neighborhood party even more colorful by adding some Alice in Wonderland chaos to it!
Too bad there aren’t fireworks that create the outline of a creepy cat with a cheesy smile…
