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