If your daughter never misses an opportunity to play dress up, chances are good that she will love having a tea party with her closest friends and you. In fact, she may have already asked you about hosting one in your home for her upcoming birthday. Especially with somebody’s royal wedding coming up, chances are that “tea party” will again mean tea, crumpets and silly hats!
The Invitations
Given that tea parties are about your daughter’s first attempt at being a grown up, you could offer to have her invitations printed up. Indeed you would likely never indulge this luxury if she were having a party with 25 of her closest friends, but a tea party to be “just right”, you’ll want to have no more than the number of girls that matches your daughter’s upcoming age.
The invitations could read something like this:
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Payne
Request the honor of your presence as they celebrate the joyous occasion of
their daughter Emily Jane’s eighth birthday.
Please wear your fanciest dress as we sip tea and eat sandwiches.
Hats and gloves are encouraged
Tea starts promptly at 4 o’clock in the afternoon of 16, April 2011
Please RSVP by or before 10, April 2011
If you don’t already own a formal tea set, you can easily find one at your local vintage shop. If you do not live near one or they have one, but it’s missing a teacup or two, eBay will undoubtedly have one that your daughter will fall in love with. Given that it’s eBay, you’ll likely be able to bid or one for a relatively inexpensive. It may have been used before and perhaps quite antique. It may also be a new one, still in its original packaging. You never know precisely what you’ll find (and sometimes that’s very cool!)
The Table Centerpiece
Depending on the length and shape of your table, you can add a few adornments to the centerpiece, such as something she holds dear – a stuffed animal, or perhaps or a photograph of her grandmother or other ancestor. Be sure to place at least one sugar and one creamer at either end of the table to avoid spills and too much reaching with little arms.
Might I Suggest a Sandwich to Accompany Your Tea, Mademoiselle?
Traditionally, cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches, with a touch of dill, are served at formal teas. Below are some recipes to consider making:
Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 10 whole wheat bread slices
- All natural cream cheese
- 2 Cucumbers, peeled and sliced thinly
Prep:
Let cream cheese sit out for about two hours to soften up. (Alternatively, you can put in a food processor).
Spread your cream cheese onto half the slices of bread. Add 4 cucumber slices and a sprig of dill. Knowing how much little girls despise edges, best to remove them. Lastly, create fun shapes – triangles, rectangles, circles, etc.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Make these sandwiches as you would normally. Again, slice off the edges and cut into fun shapes. If there’s still some room on the platter with the cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches, add them.
Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 10 slices whole wheat bread
- 1 pound your favorite ham, sliced
- ½ pound sliced cheddar cheese
- ½ pound sliced Swiss cheese
- Mustard and mayonnaise
Prepare these sandwiches as you normally would. After you’ve removed the edges, and cut into cute shapes, add to a platter.
Your Daughter’s Favorite Fruit and Whip Cream
Whipping cream is very easy. In a mixing bowl, blend 2 cups of heavy cream and 4 tablespoons of sugar. Mix until whipped. Pour over berries.
Preparing Tea
You may use tea bags or a strainer filled with your daughter’s favorite black tea. If you have concerns about giving that many little girls such a large boost of caffeine to go with their already “amped up” energies, (given all the sugar in the cookies and jelly), use decaffeinated or herbal teas. A teaspoonful of tea leaves per cup of boiling water promises the best flavor.
As Guests Arrive
Be sure to greet your daughter’s guests by referring to them as “Miss” or “Mademoiselle” and welcome them into your home, offering to, if appropriate, remove their coats. Show them to the table and ask your butler (aka your husband) to begin the festivities. Do ensure you take plenty of photographs. Enjoy!
About the Author: Chris has 2 preschool daughters, and his eldest has already been to a fairy princess tea party. Daddy will definitely be a butler for her and her friends this spring! Chris writes about party themes and is editor of Themeaparty.com.
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