Down the Rabbit Hole & Around the Wold
Summer is a magical time of year. It’s when the cold weather subsides, families take on new adventures, and some people depart their jobs for their next chapter. Some retirement parties are fun. Some are beautiful. And then there are the ones that feel like a love letter to the people who make your days bearable. This one? All three.
When my work bestie announced her retirement, I knew we couldn’t do “basic.” This was the woman who showed up with wisdom, humor, and grace every single day so her send-off had to be just as intentional. The theme came together almost instantly, Alice in Wonderland meets world travel. Whimsical, to pay homage to the crazy situations we experienced together and survived with laughter and delirium. Meaningful, to reflect how much she helped shape my career. And full of story, just like her career.
A Menu That Traveled the Globe
One of the most important things to me when I plan anything is the food. So as I thought about the menu, I knew I needed to think outside of the box (or in this case, the culture). Because travel has always been close to her heart, the menu became a culinary journey inspired by her travel bucket list and some of her favorite places to visit. The menu started with her bucket list, Japan as traveling there was on the horizon as she looked into future trips. The Japanese small bites were the perfect way to kick things off as they were light, flavorful, and elegant. Next, I set my sights on the Middle East with entrees that felt warm, rich, and communal. During her career she spent time in the Middle East and developed a strong appreciation for the beauty of their culture and the warm, fragrant tapestry of aromatic spices in their dishes. I rounded out the menu with a tribute to her roots, German desserts. These desserts provided a strong (and sweet) finish to our meal, because every great adventure deserves a proper ending. Each course represented a “stop” along her journey, tying food to memory and experience. It wasn’t just a meal, it was storytelling through flavor.
The full on theme menu was as follows:
Mad Hatter’s Morsels: Japan Edition (Appetizers)
· Mad Hatter's Moon Pockets (Gyoza)
· White Rabbit’s Crunchy Curiosities (Tempura)
The Queen’s Middle Eastern Feast (Entrees)
· Jaberwocky Koobideh (Beef Koobideh)
· Mad Hatter’s Twisted Chicken (Chicken Shawarma)
· WonderGrains (Basmati Rice)
· Leaves of Wonderland (Salad)
· Caterpillar’s Chickpea Chat (Chickpeas)
· Mad Veggie Tea Roast (Grilled Veggies)
Wunderland Treats from Deutschland (Desserts)
· Cheshire’s Chocolate Woods (Black Forest Cake)
· Tweedledee’s Twisty Treats (Assorted Pastries)
A Queen of Hearts–Worthy Table
With the menu set, I poured my heart into the decor. With such a whimsical and sentimental theme, I knew I was not going to play it safe, even if we hosted the celebration in a neutral office space. The décor was where the whimsy really took over. I decorated a gift area, the food table, and the most important space, a long conference table for us to break bread and reminisce on our times together.
The table was decorated to imitate the Queen of Hearts’ feast. I found a vibrant red tablecloth at the Goodwill to set the scene. Next I made custom floral arrangements using black, red, and white florals. I enhanced the look with battery-operated tealights, taper candles, and votives to create a warm glow and elegant aura.
I used hand-crafted paper flowers from a friend, both large and small, to add texture and fantasy to the gift and food areas. I also added some of the usual Alice in Wonderland characters around the room to lean into that slightly mischievous, magical Wonderland vibe, playful but polished, bold but still elegant.
At the entrance of the room, I hung custom Alice in Wonderland–themed letters spelling out the retiree’s name, anchoring the table and making it unmistakably hers.
The Sweetest Personal Touches
While it is hard to truly pick a favorite element from this event, one of my favorite details was the place settings. A dear friend of mine created custom Alice in Wonderland–themed postcards for me to use as place cards for everyone’s seat. On the front, I write the attendee’s names with my Cricut. I used clear printable sticker paper to add the menu to the back. Guests loved flipping them over and realizing they were part of the experience.
While the place cards were incredible, the true showstopper for my friend was a heartfelt “passport” to her career. I created a “passport” that highlighted her incredible career, complete with themed visas tied to each destination represented at the party. Each stamp marked a distinct chapter. It included her years of service, growth, impact, and legacy. It was thoughtful, personal, and a little emotional. At the end of the passport, I included heartfelt “postcards from Wonderland” from our colleagues.
Favors Fit for World Travelers
To me, no celebration is complete without a party favor. As with other elements of this celebration, I needed them to be on theme and functional. I really try to avoid giving people things that will just end up in the junk drawer, whenever possible. To close out this trip down memory lane and peek toward the future, each guest left with a mini suitcase shaped favor box that contained a luggage tag, peppermint patties, and a sachet of teas from around the world.
Why I Loved Creating This
This party was a reminder of why crafting is my love language. Every handmade detail, from the passport to the postcards, was about celebrating a life well-lived and a career that mattered. Retirement isn’t an ending. It’s just the next adventure. And, if you ask me, she’s only just getting started.
