by Anne Greenwood Brown
It’s Party Time! One of the time-honored traditions in our house are Book-to-Movie Premiere Night Parties. Depending on the movie, sometimes they work out as mother-daughter affairs, other times they’re a fun Ladies’ Night Out.
With the recent premiere of Eclipse, we had a high school graduation themed party, complete with diplomas, miniature graduation caps, cocktail meatballs, and–of course–my famous trivia game. A trip to the liquor store turned up an armful of red wines with such labels as: Jacob’s Creek, Alice White, Shine, and Wolf. Perfect, right? The top three winners of the trivia game (and depending on their age) got either a bottle of wine, a copy of the recently released, Twilight Saga novella, or a Barnes & Noble gift card. Of course, the soundtrack added just the right ambiance.
The three keys to a good Book-to-Movie party are a table top theme, entree, and signature drink that reflect the book and get people revved up to see the movie. If you’ve got time for a short contest or game, go for it!
Some past examples include:
P.S. I Love You (by Cecelia Ahern)
- Table Top: Green table cloth; Potted Shamrock
- Entree: Corned Beef & Cabbage
- Signature Drink: Guinness or Irish Coffee
- Game: Best Shoes Contest
The Time Traveler’s Wife (by Audrey Niffenegger)
- Table Top: Scattering of Watches and mini Hour Glasses from kids’ games
- Entree: Chicago Style Hot Dogs
- Signature Drink: Goose Island Beer
The Girl Who Played with Fire (by Stieg Larsson)–in theaters now
- Table Top: Mocked up Millennium Magazine covers; Matchbooks
- Entree: Swedish Pancakes & Lingonberries
- Signature Drink: Strong Coffee
Some upcoming movies promise more fun!
Eat, Pray, Love (by Elizabeth Gilbert)–hits theaters Aug. 13, 2010
- Table Top: Red & White Checked Table Cloth; Travel Post Cards
- Entree: Bruschetta and Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini
- Signature Drink: Chianti
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (by J.K. Rowling)–hits theaters Nov. 19, 2010
- Table Top: Witch Hat, Wands, Snakes (for the brave)
- Entree: Bat Wings (chicken wings) & Dragon Balls (meatballs in grape jelly & BBQ sauce)
- Signature Drink: Pumpkin Juice (Apple Cider w/ nutmeg and cinnamon–add Cinnamon Schnapps for adults)
If you decide to have a Book-to-Movie Party for these or any other upcoming movies, please post photos! I’d love to see what you come up with!