About Mad Hatter Tea Parties

When reflecting back on the famous book "Alice in Wonderland" written in 1865 by Lewis Caroll, the "Hatter," a fictional character, threw a tea party in which the main character in the book, Alice, attended.
The tea party was considered to be crazy as the Hatter believed he was stuck in time due to being turned away by the Queen.
The book sparks an interesting theme and design in which people choose to replicate the tea party scene for parties and themed social gatherings.

Significance

The significance of hosting a mad hatter tea party would be to implement the mad hatter theme as well as a touch of whimsy into the party scene. A mad hatter tea party is a great way for adults or children who have an admiration for Alice in Wonderland to be able to enjoy an afternoon playing card games, exchanging humorous riddles, dressing up and reflecting on the famed children's book, "Alice in Wonderland."
A mad hatter tea party is meant to replicate acts and events that took place in the book when Alice attended the mad hatter's tea party and questioned Hatter's crazy behavior.
The Hatter was famed for exclaiming senseless riddles to Alice due to his mental state, which in turn made Alice upset yet intrigued.
From clocks that don't tell time to a picnic table set outside underneath a tree, replicating the tea party from the book is a great way to create a mad hatter tea party.

Potential

The potential for mad hatter tea parties would be that guests can engage in an enchanting party that revolves around light refreshments as well as games and activities. Card games such as spades, euchre and poker are great choices for any mad hatter tea parties.
Suggest to guests before the party to not only wear homemade hats but to also select a favorite chapter from the "Alice in Wonderland" book and share it with other guests at the party.
Guests could also showcase their mad hatter skills by generating their own riddles and poems that are both funny and meant to create a sense of bewilderment that will fit in with something the Hatter would have said to Alice or other guests.

Features

Some of the features of a mad hatter tea party would be to have the host transform into the Hatter and another into Alice while wearing costumes of the characters as well. The main focus could also be on the guests wearing crazy hats, anything from small to large with different designs and funky embellishments such as ribbons and silk flowers.
The party is meant to be lively and fun so guests should choose to abide by that general rule. Decorate a table scape that permits mismatched fine china wear and tea cups preferably in pastel hues.
Have pastel-colored tablecloths as well as mismatched flower arrangements adorn the tables. Combine silverware with gold toned place settings to create a mismatched, yet classy look. Choosing simple finger sandwiches such as cucumber, egg salad, peanut butter and jelly, brie and poppy seed are interesting yet intricate sandwiches that can accompany the tea being served at the party.
Tea such as orange pekoe or flavored teas like mint or raspberry are preferred choices for this themed tea party.
Have copies of "Alice in Wonderland" sitting out for guests to enjoy as well as several clocks set at different times hung on the walls; as this was a bizarre decor accessory of the Hatter.

Effects

The effects of having a mad hatter tea party would be to allow guests to share in replicating the Hatter's party. Hosting the party outdoors on a picnic table or long table is an easy way to replicate the actual setting of the party from the book. Having a party that is whimsical in design as well as magical in nature much like the atmosphere of the party that Alice attended in the book is the effect that should be sought after with this party. Creating and distributing party favors such as pastel colored sachets, gourmet chocolates and wrist watches make welcoming gifts that guests will enjoy taking home.

Size

A mad hatter tea party can be a small and casual get together with only four to five people or it can involve several guests who choose to participate in dressing up like Alice, the Hatter or other characters such as the Queen of Hearts, White King, Cheshire the Cat and March the Hare. If a large costume party is being implemented and several guests are expected to come, try to arrange for each to come as a certain character and then interact in a small skit with the other costumed characters.

Resources

• Excerpt from the Mad Hatter's Tea Party