Have a holiday tea party
Comments: 0
Plan a
holiday tea
Teatime!
Can't you just picture it? It's as if it's just part of being a girl ... hats,
little teacups, beads and bracelets. Little girls love tea parties... and big
girls do too.
There
are so many great reasons to join up with our friends across the Atlantic
and begin the tradition of afternoon tea EVERY day, but especially at the
holidays, creating the tradition of a special holiday tea will provide a fabulous
memory for our girls that will last a lifetime!
Some
of the benefits of planning a holiday tea:
1.
It's fun! As I said
above, girls of all ages LOVE the ritual of tea. Picture young ladies
dressed in their holiday finery... soft Christmas tunes playing in the
background. There is something about pouring the liquid out of the pot into
lovely cups... it's just a little slice of heaven.
2.
It's peaceful. Be honest! This
time of the year can be downright nutty at times and throughout most of the
holiday season life is anything but peaceful. Provide a respite from the
craziness of the holidays around a cup of tea. You'll see... peaceful....
ahhhhh, this is how the holidays should be!
3.
It's memory building. Think of years from now when your girls will be
recounting the fond memories of your holiday tea together. Better yet, imagine
seeing your girls start the same tradition with their girls.
4.
It's enriching. There is really no easier way to teach your young ladies
manners than at a lovely tea table. Opportunities abound in teatime to show
your little ladies how to be kind, quiet and caring, as well as how to use
a fork, sip without slurping, etc.
5.
It encourages conversation. What a great time to set aside and reminisce about
old family traditions and memories of the holidays. Talk about favorite Christmases past or memories of your
grandparents' visits for the holidays, etc.
Now
the last thing I want to do is create more stress for your holidays by throwing
something difficult on you.
Relaxing tea parties can be very simple and resources and books abound
on the topic. Here are some easy steps to plan your first holiday tea.
1. Keep it small. Invite only your
daughter's closest friends and limit it to just a few for this first tea. If you're inviting moms and daughters
and can enlarge your dining room table, plan for a comfortable space between
guests at the table.
2. Set your date. The typical English teatime is in the
afternoon but that doesn't have to be the rule for the holidays. Find a time that works best for you and
your guests, and limit the time to about a two-hour slot so the time in itself
doesn't create stress for your guests.
3. Plan your menu. Again, simple is best. Scones, cucumber sandwiches, and a nice
array of holiday cookies would make for the perfect tea menu. We always have
some back up peanut butter and jelly sandwiches too, just in case for the
younger ones.
4. Send your invites. Keep them simple as well. Print them out with a fancy font on
your computer and stamp with a poinsettia or other holiday image. Or use the
wonderful clip art available online.
Or, even better, if your girls enjoy drawing and you have time, make
handmade invitations.
5.
On the day of the tea, set an elegant table. This is the only part of our holiday tea where I'd say go
elaborate rather than simple. Use
your finest plates and teacups, cloth napkins and napkin rings if you have
them. Have your girls make up
place cards for each guest so as they come in they can be seated
immediately. Turn on the holiday
music and start the tea water to boiling as the guest arrive so it will be at
it's freshest when you all sit.
Most of all relax and enjoy the tea with your guests. This is not an event where you'll want
to be getting up and down. Pour
out and begin sharing your favorite holiday memories.
Start with
a holiday tea this year and you'll see... it will become an annual tradition
not to be missed!
Back to entries Comment on this entry