A few months ago, my book club selected The Paris Wife by Paula Mclain to be our next reviewed book. I had offered to host the discussion at my house and forgo the usual restaurant location.
Originally, I had planned to defrost a few appetizers and uncork some wine. This has always worked well in the past. But after finishing the book I was inspired to try something a bit different.
In keeping with the theme of the book (Ernest Hemingway’s life in jazz-aged Paris), I thought it would be fun to send out invitations the old fashioned way – snail mail. After popping into the local stationery shop, I was encouraged by the owner to experiment and make my own 1920’s Parisian invites.
I am not very crafty so the idea was a bit daunting but after concluding that I could use a glue stick and scissors, I gave it a go.
I printed the invites using a Paris-themed font that I downloaded from the Internet and affixed a black ribbon to each card. After addressing them with French-flare, I mailed them out to the women in my book club.
THE PARIS WIFE
In the 1920’s Paris was the place to be,
If your name was Gertrude, Zelda or
Hadley.
The booze did flow and tempers got wild,
And the women were anything but meek and mild.
He was the cat’s meow, that Hemingway,
But about his antics I bet you’ve a lot to say.
Throw on some pearls, put a feather in your hair,
Channel your inner flapper, and that is a dare.
Come for drinks and food to XXX Avenue
To talk about the Ernest you thought that you knew.
- – - – - – -
Thursday June 2, 7:00 p.m.
Tarot card readings from 7:30 pm.
Lots of food and drinks*
*(Just don’t tell those temperance fools)
My husband questioned why I was putting so much time and effort into inviting my friends for book club when I could easily send an email in a matter of minutes.
The answer is simple. Many of us moms (and dads too) spend so much time, energy and money too, creating experiences for our kids. Memorable birthday parties and graduations, and even end of session soccer soirees are among the events we host for our kids. When it comes to us, we often pass on festivities for practicality and ease.
This time I decided to reward my friends, making it a night for us and myself. Something beyond the trip to the local watering hole for pinot noir and firecracker shrimp.
When my friends arrived they were treated to “champagne” and cassis – the drink featured throughout the novel, a feast of French-inspired food and tarot card readings.
The response from my friends was heart-warming as most everyone remarked how fun it was to receive an invitation in the mail setting the tone for our special evening the minute those envelops were opened.
Do you ever feel like you place more importance on your kid’s activities as you do your own? How do you overcome such feelings?
photo credit: http://www.letstalkvintage.blogspot.com
