10 Ways to Celebrate Pride & Prejudice Day
On Friday 28 January, we'll be celebrating Pride & Prejudice Day! There are lots of ways to get involved, wherever you are in the world - whether you attend an online event, join us on social media, or read along at home!1. Share your favourite line from P&P
Everyone has a favourite line from Pride & Prejudice, and we want to hear them all! On the day, look out for our post on social media and share your favourite line with us, tell a friend, or shout it from the rooftops!
2. Dress appropriately (long sleeves!)
We like the idea of dressing up but let’s not get carried away. It’s still January. Long sleeves, layers, and maybe just a few ostrich feathers in our hair…
‘your coming just at this time is the greatest of comforts, and I am very glad to hear what you tell us, of long sleeves.’
3. Catch up with your correspondence
Pride & Prejudice is full of letters. Make like Mr Darcy and write to someone you love (email/text/WhatsApp also count!)
“But do you always write such charming long letters to her, Mr. Darcy?”
“They are generally long; but whether always charming, it is not for me to determine.”
4. Take some refreshment (ideally soup)
“The soup was fifty times better than what we had at the Lucases’ last week”
May we recommend soup as the most Pride & Prejudice of foodstuffs? It’s warming, wintery and delicious – and there’s a flavour for every character!
In our humble opinion:
Elizabeth Bennet = Lemon chicken soup
Mr Darcy = Celeriac, hazelnut and truffle soup
Lydia Bennet = Tomato soup with cheese and Marmite toast
Jane Bennet = Cucumber, pea and lettuce soup
Lady Catherine de Bourgh = Hot Bloody Mary soup
Charlotte Lucas = Lentil soup
5. Go for a brisk walk
Need we say more? Make like Lizzy Bennet and enjoy a brisk country walk, the muddier the better!
‘Elizabeth continued her walk alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity, and finding herself at last within view of the house, with weary ankles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise.’
6. Pay some elegant compliments
Many compliments are paid in P&P – mostly by Mr Collins. We’re not saying you should emulate him in any way… but it is always nice to be complimented on your ‘fine eyes’ or ‘superior dancing’!
“though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible.”
7. Practice an accomplishment
āIt is amazing to me,” said Bingley, “How young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished as they all are.”
Today is a great day to play an instrument, practice a craft, play sport – whatever your hobby is, you know Mr Bingley would be admiring and Mr Darcy would not!
8. Read a book
“Do you prefer reading to cards?” said he; “that isĀ ratherĀ singular.”
There’s no doubt about it, this is a day for picking up a good book. Whether you’re gripped by something new, comforted by something familiar, or indulging in Pride & Prejudice again for the hundredth time, get yourself a cuppa, make yourself comfy, and settle down with a good book/audiobook.
9. Play a game
Well, we may prefer reading to cards but we also like cards and games very much indeed – just as Jane Austen did. Today is a great day to indulge in a card game, board game, video game – whatever you like!
‘Lydia talked incessantly of lottery tickets, of the fish she had lost and the fish she had won’
10. Go dancing (in your kitchen if necessary)
“I have been most highly gratified indeed, my dear sir. Such very superior dancing is not often seen. It is evident that youĀ belong to the first circles.”
Like Lydia, we love to dance! Whatever it looks like, and whatever you’re dancing to, finish the day in style! š¶
If you like this, check out our 10 Ways to Celebrate Pride & Prejudice Day on TikTok!
Enter our Pride & Prejudice Day competition on Instagram
Or sign up to one of our P&P Day events!