For this book event, I've put together two "upper class" themes as well as two "working class" themes to choose from, inspired by the characters that represented each in the novel. There are also some bonus ideas at the bottom if you want to magnify motifs at your party! -Abby
Menus:
English Tea: Ham and asparagus mini-quiches, a variety of teacakes, lemon tea cookies, English Breakfast or Earl Grey tea with cream
Five-Star Hotel: Steak and brie crostini, ham-wrapped white asparagus, lobster tartlets, champagne or "Cosmo"politan cocktails (for Sir Cosmo)
Color Scheme: Gold & silver, pastels
Activities: Color fashionable gowns (and don't forget to name them), take selfies, DIY manicures, make your own moonstone earrings from a jewelry kit and moonstone beads
"'I call this gown, my dear friends, the Sighing Sound of Lips Unsatisfied.'""'Will one of your men take a photograph of those of us who were in my lifeboat? You have a camera, don't you?'""...Lucile asked abruptly, turning back to her dressing table, reaching now for a bottle of crimson nail polish.""'Moonstones from Ceylon, very fashionable.' ... 'It's supposed to protect against the dangers of travel.'"Ambiance: Jasmine candle or incense; paper parasols (for Elinor); an "abundance of flowers" including roses, peonies, and daffodils; play music from a string quartet
"She glanced at her sister walking quickly toward her, humming some new song, twirling a red parasol as she walked.""They were sitting so close, she could smell vestiges of Lucile's favorite jasmine perfume, now at the bottom of the sea.""The room was bursting with an abundance of flowers -- roses, peonies, daffodils -- every kind imaginable...""The music stands -- for Lucile's favorite string quartet -- were being set up next to the catwalk."
Menus:
Farmers Market Fresh: Salami caprese charcuterie board or Italian tomato and mozzarella crostini; apple and orange fruit salad; black tea or Tom Collins/American Collins (in honor of Tess)
Tastes of New York: Sausage and pepper skewers, steak and corn kabobs, and/or brisket potato skins; gelato; gin martini with stuffed olives
Color Scheme: Red, white, and blue
Activities: Construct a Titanic 3D puzzle, carve figurines (out of wood or soap), read the myth of Pygmalion, bake "button cookies"
"On the second day, Tess found Jim on the deck, surrounded by a cluster of the younger children, carving small figures for them from discarded pieces of wood.""'We're trying to put together a puzzle, Miss Wade. There are a lot of pieces not yet in place.'""Elinor laughed. 'Don't you see, dear? She is your Pygmalion.'""Tess smiled. 'I'm still very good at buttons, though they'll soon be out of date.'"Ambiance: Light a lilac/rose candle, put out a decorative baskets of apples and oranges, group small American flags in a jar or simple vase
"Nobody had ever given her flowers. Tess took the fragrant bouquet, inhaling the heady fragrance of lilacs and roses.""The park was a sea of patriotic color, with flags of red, white, and blue waving amid an array of women dressed in dazzling white."Make a batch of Ocean Water punch and float Titanic and iceberg ice cubes
Satiate your sweet tooth with Lifesavers hard candies
Learn more about the construction of the Titanic ship, the passengers, the aftermath, and more on TitanicFacts.net
Expand your food offerings with authentic Titanic menus
Read about the actual Lady Duff-Gordon and her real-life secretary, Laura Mabel Francatelli
