queen of connection | Shelby L. Phillips

Planning A Tea Party?

May 19, 2010 at 2:50 pm 1 comment

When I turned eight, my mom threw me the most fantastic Alice in Wonderland birthday party.  Having never forgotten the details of that day, when I grew up, I was inspired to create my own Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties for my friends.  I am so tickled to be sharing some of my tea party ideas with everyone today because I have such fond memories of my adventures in Wonderland!

I remember my eighth birthday party like it was yesterday.  You had to crawl through a rabbit hole just to get into the party. The White Rabbit (my aunt) greeted you and gave you a door prize number to wear around your neck.  One lucky little girl was going home with a live animal. Can you guess what it could possibly be? Yes – a white baby bunny! And that was just the beginning. This party had gigantic hand-painted backdrops, oversized props, costumed characters played by family and adult friends, skits performed by me (I was Alice of course) and others, games, singing –- it was truly the event that inspired me to become a party planner…and I was only eight!  Boy, Mom’s good!

This month’s episode of Shelby’s Secrets to a Great Party!, YouCanPlanA Tea Party – A Mad Hatter’s Tea Party — is of course a spin off of the original…a grown up version to be sure! I wonder what memories you’ll create that will stick with you and your guests for thirty years?  Have fun putting it together and I’d love to hear how it comes out! You can view the episode at http://www.YouCanPlanAParty.com

P.S. My mom and I went on to write a series of books together called The Enlightened Party Planner: Guides to Creating Parties From the Heart.  Book three is entitled Our Favorite Parties. It is a richly detailed volume devoted to fifteen of our favorite theme parties given for our friends and family, three of them Mad Hatter Tea Parties! Written in narrative style, each offers clever ideas for themes, invitations, costumes, décor, music, food and beverages, activities, and special touches – the six elements of a successful party! Check it out next time you’re having a cup of tea at http://www.lulu.com/enlightenedparties. The book series is also available at Amazon.

Currently the host of “Shelby’s Secrets to a Great Party!” airing on YouCanPlanAParty.com, Shelby Phillips is an award-winning party design expert with over 20 years experience. Shelby has co-written a book series titled “The Enlightened Party Planner: Guides to Creating Parties from the Heart” and developed a 6-step formula for bring people together to celebrate. She has also been a host and designer on the Style Network’s “Big Party Plan Off,” and owner of a successful event planning and promotions company.

Entry filed under: Celebrations, Party Ideas, Party Planning, Theme Parties. Tags: alice in wonderland, invitations, party decorations, party ideas, party theme, planning a party.