7 Creative Ways to Celebrate Anne of Green Gables

With the recent passing of Jonathan Crombie, the actor who perfectly portrayed Gilbert Blythe, articles and reminisces about Anne of Green Gables are popping up everywhere. Unashamedly, I admit that the Anne-girl and Gil will forever hold a special place in my heart. In my growing-up days, my mom and two sisters and I chose one night every summer to have an Anne marathon. We watched all twelve hours of the miniseries straight through. Often, my dad joined in for a few hours, too. Anne of Green Gables is not just for ladies. It's my grandpa's favorite movie. Anne speaks to the hearts of kindred spirits everywhere, women and men alike.
Here are a few creative ways to celebrate Anne of Green Gables and to keep her one-of-a-kind personality alive in your home and heart.

1. Watch the miniseries. Yes, this is rather obvious, but many have not yet seen these breath-taking films, and I implore those who have not to do so immediately!

2. Read the original Anne books by L. M. Montgomery. PLEASE do not stop after book number one. Why? Because as wonderful as it is, the first book is actually my least favorite in the series. They get better. Growing up with Anne in all of her phases of life through these books--from girlhood, to young womanhood, to becoming a wife and a mother--is an experience you do not want to miss. I read the series for the first time in 9th grade, and I am currently rereading them at age 21. It has been far too long.
The series in order: Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, Anne of Ingleside, Rainbow Valley, Rilla of Ingleside

3. Listen to the audiobooks with your family. Introduce your family, especially your little girls, to Anne. Audiobooks can be played on car trips, during spring cleaning, before bedtime, during exercise hour, etc.

4. Learn "Anne's Theme" on the piano. My dad says the Anne of Green Gables theme song by Hagood Hardy is the most beautiful song ever composed, and I tend to agree with him. The sheet music can be ordered online.

5. Make an Anne-inspired craft. Use fancy lettering and watercolor pencils to write one of Anne's inspiring quotes and frame it in your room. Or decoupage a quote onto a journal cover. Try one of these quotes:
"It's not what the world holds for you. It's what you bring to it."
"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?"
"Dear old world, you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you."
Stitch an Anne-inspired embroidery (perhaps a quote or a silhouette of Anne, Diana, or Gilbert). What other Anne-girl crafts can you think of? Be creative!

6. Give your hair an old-fashioned Anne style. Try one of Anne's beautiful, fluffy buns or her classic French braids. Tutorials can be found on Pinterest and from many other online sources.

7. Make Marilla's famous raspberry cordial. But don't mix it up with her red currant wine! ;) 
Recipe: Nourishing Simplicity: Marilla's Raspberry Cordial