How to Throw an Alice in Wonderland Costume Party

An Alice in Wonderland themed costume party is a great idea for a birthday party, Halloween, or regular party. Both adults and children can enjoy going through the looking glass into this Wonderland celebration. Follow these steps to head down the rabbit hole to the best bash you've ever thrown.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Plan the Party

1. Decide where and when to have your party. An outdoor garden location is ideal for an Alice in Wonderland costume party. For a children's party, the afternoon is best. For an adult party, have it outside at night and decorate with multi-colored lights to bring out the dark, weird side of Wonderland.

2. Write up a budget and guest list. Think about the number of guests when planning the food, drinks and activities.

3. Create and send Alice in Wonderland themed invitations. Send the invites at least 2 weeks in advance. However, if you send them a month in advance, you will have greater response and the guests will have more time to get costumes.

4. Begin a list of everything you need to purchase or gather for the Alice in Wonderland party so that you have everything ready for the event. Don't forget to rent, buy or make your costume.

Party Time

5. Decorate your Wonderland. Be creative. For a children's party in a garden decorate with over-sized playing cards and cut-out hearts. A cut out of the caterpillar on the mushroom with a fog machine is great for a trippy adult party. (For a Mad Hatter Tea Party, see "How to Plan a Mad Hatter Tea Party," under related eHow's).

6. Play music during the party. The Alice in Wonderland movie soundtrack is a good optkion for a children's party, while Jefferson Starship's "White Rabbit" is better for an adult party.

7. Plan a few Alice in Wonderland activities. If the party is for children, play "pin the grin on the Cheshire Cat" or "pin the tail on the White Rabbit." Both adults and children can enjoy playing "Queen of Hearts croquet" (see tips below for how to make this game). For an adult party, have a costume contest.

8. Provide Wonderland themed food and drinks. To make mushroom treats, take large marshmallows, apply a dot of melted chocolate or icing and thenplace a vanilla wafer on top. Write "Eat Me" in icing on cookies or cupcakes and write "Drink Me" on party cups.

9. Buy or make gift bags for a children's party. Fill the gift bags with playing cards, Alice in Wonderland stickers, Alice paperback books, a small mirror and gummy caterpillars.

Tips & Warnings

• To play Queen of Hearts croquet, cover the heads of your croquet mallets with a bright pink socks or material. Glue on googley eyes and black foam beaks. Tie ribbons around the necks. Use kush balls for the hedgehogs. To make playing card soldier wickets, find over-sized playing cards at a party store and tape them onto actual wire wickets. Then draw or paint funny faces on them.

Resources

• Find Alice in Wonderland party supplies at The Party Works online.
• Get Alice in Wonderland stickers at the Amazon website.