One Lump or Two?

Make Time For Tea Time

By Karen Shadrach

Hosting a tea party is a fun way to celebrate an occasion or introduce children to the custom of tea drinking. A children’s tea can be a teaching experience in a social setting. Young boys and girls alike can learn the etiquette of table manners and conversation. Make the experience magical for your grandchild by using a theme, decorating your space, serving tea and snacks, and playing games.

BUT FIRST…

The fun is in the making. Your grandkids will love to help plan and prepare their tea party items ahead of time.

Choosing a festive theme is important. Many little girls love to dress up as fairies, so a Fairy Tea Party is a good choice. Another is a Teddy

Bear and Doll Tea. Children bring their favorite bear or doll and set them on their own chairs as party guests. A Storybook Reading Tea Party, where the kids can bring a favorite book, gives you the option to read a few of the books to them, either after or during the tea. Another is a Princess and Pirates Tea.

The kids can have fun dressing up in costumes and, as a craft, make their own crowns and hats or swords.

Centerpieces for your table, as well as brightly colored tablecloths, should be associated with your particular theme. Containers of flowers or balloons are always a hit, especially if they can also take them home.

Sometimes you can find cheap china plates, tea cups and teapots at garage or flea market sales. Collect these for a future tea party.

Plan your menu, keeping in mind that children can be finicky eaters and others may have food allergies. The usual custom is to either serve three or four selections for both the sandwich and sweet courses.

Caffeinated tea for children is not recommended. However, many other beverage alternatives can be served in a teacup. I’ve served an assortment of herbal teas so the kids can sample the different flavors. If your grandchildren dislike tea of any kind, substitute fruit punch or lemonade.

It is so fun to make your own finger party sandwiches. Place the spread of your choice on bread and cut in fourths or on the diagonal. Mini-wraps also make colorful small sandwich options. An adorable, however labor-intensive, idea is to use cookie cutters and cut out bread for shaped sandwiches. Try cream cheese and cucumber, peanut butter and jelly, Nutella spread and banana, tuna or chicken salad, American cheese and ham, flavored cream cheese and jelly or blueberry or raspberry jam.

Fill small fruit cups, or place fruit on skewers for easier eating. If you are feeling brave, or have older grandchildren, you could cut up fruit and provide one of those chocolate fountains for them to dip strawberries.

Don’t forget the sweets. Treats can be small cookies or scones. Cut brownies into small squares, and buy macaroons or mini cupcakes. Decorative garnishes, such as colored sprinkles, sanding sugar, shredded coconut, and assorted small candies will make your sweets fun and memorable. Buy sugar cookies and decorate them with food paint as a fun addition.

End the party with games. Play Teacup Hunt and hide paper tea cups around the house or outside to get the kids up and moving. Children also love to stack sugar cubes, especially if you time them to see who can stack the highest sugar tower. The most important thing is that you join the grandkids and participate in their tea. Dress up and wear a fancy hat for the occasion. Enjoy your tea time and be sure to take pictures to remember the special event.