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