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Gracious Living: Children's Tea Parties
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Secret Pebbles™ |
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Gracious Living: Children's Tea Parties
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Secret Pebbles™ |
Recipes - Beverages Children Gracious Living
So many gracious activities have fallen by the wayside. Here are some ideas to slow down the fast paced lives our children lead while they practice their manners and have fun. Besides, you'll enjoy the festivities, too. Always, |
How To Have a Successful Children's Tea Party By Jane Marie
The whole idea of a tea party is to do things the old fashioned way.
GUESTS Decide how many little ladies and/or little gentlemen you want to invite. The smaller the group, the easier the supervision will be, as well as the degree of gentility. You may want to include the parents to help insure good behavior.
LOCATION Consider the amount of room you have available. Think of all the possible locations in and around your house or apartment:
FURNITURE Make sure you have enough chairs or blankets for seating. If you're short on chairs and tables, and want to use miniature furniture, try sturdy cardboard boxes covered with table cloths, pretty sheets, or fabric remnants large enough to hide the boxes. You and your child can decorate the chairs by tying bows around the backs of each chair. If you have some artificial or fresh flowers, stuff one in each of the bows.
INVITATIONS You could purchase invitations, use a software program to generate an attractive invitation on your computer or if you have the time, you and your child can make them yourselves.
SAMPLE INVITATION
Postcards printed with the party information would also work. Postage will be slightly less.
TEA SERVICE / TABLE SETTING / DECORATIONS Tea Pot If you have a child's tea set, use the tea pot to serve the beverage. A pretty pitcher will work, too. Plastic is better for younger children.
Food Service Use lots of paper doilies. If you have a tiered dish or pretty platters, use them as part of a small buffet. Tea Cups Plastic or paper cups with matching plates will work well. Look for paper cups with fold out handles. Use china or glass punch cups if you dare. Plates 6 inch, small dessert plates are a good size for finger foods. Try colorful paper plates, glass or ceramic. Mix and match if you're short on quantity. Silverware Finger foods are best for children. If your guests will need silverware, plastic is perfectly acceptable for children, but why not pull out the silver that you've been keeping for special occasions? Remember, the more you use it, the less it tarnishes. Napkins Paper napkins are fine - especially if you will be using paper plates, but cloth napkins will make the children feel special. Fold the napkins into triangles or other interesting shapes Centerpiece Place fresh or silk flowers in a low bowl in the center of the table(s). Tall centerpieces prevent guests from seeing each other. More Decorations
Place Cards Make your own by folding a 3-inch square of construction paper in half and printing each child's name on it. Let your child decorate these to match the color scheme. Favors
Music Soft classical music sets an elegant tone and will help calm excited children. B&N MUSIC - Classical Store
MENU IDEAS WARNING Ask each parent if his or her child is allergic to peanuts, etc.
GOOD MANNERS Welcome the children to the your party. Tell them this party is meant to be fun, but will be different from what they may be used to. Explain that children in Victorian times often had tea parties just like their parents did and still do today, particularly in England. Everyone is to pretend they are in the year 1880. Ask anyone who is wearing gloves to remove them. Tell them that proper etiquette and good manners can actually be fun and interesting. Explain:
If the children look at you as if you are crazy, give an example.
ACTIVITIES / GAMES Make and decorate paper fans. Purchase small straw doll hats from a craft store and decorate. Make small paper hats from construction paper and decorate for teddy bears or dolls. Read a short fairy tale. A gentle game of Crazy Eights, Go Fish or Old Maid is in keeping with the spirit of a tea party. Just don't let the children play Slap Jack! Sing old fashioned songs such as "The Band Played On" or "Little Buttercup." Take a group photo. Print out digital photos for each child on the spot or e-mail pictures after the party. Try Poloroid pictures for instant excitement. Prizes
A tea party will be remembered for a lifetime. |
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