Dainty Tea Party

Tea party

Dainty Tea Party

              Tea parties are such fun and little girls love to entertain.

• Decorate a fan- these make great party favors for all the guests and are a fun activity to do.  You will need colored paper, glitter, glue, tape, crayons and markers.  Decorate the fans however you want with pictures, swirlies, etc.  When the glue is dry fold the paper accordian style and tape the bottom to form the handle.  Carefully open the other end of the paper and spread out the folds to reveal your perfect personalized fan. 

• Have a dress up trunk filled with fun dresses and accessories for the guests.

•  Decorate a diary- this is the perfect activity to do when the guests first arrive.  This will allow the glue plenty of time to dry.  You will need the following:

4 pieces of 8 x 11-inch paper per guest
1 piece of 6 x 9-inch lightweight cardboard per guest
Various pieces of colored paper, scraps of fabric, lace, or ribbon
Quilt batting for padding
Silk flowers
Glue, a stapler, and several pairs of scissors

Have your guests cut each piece of paper in half, giving  each child  eight pieces of paper. Next fold all eight pieces of paper in half to form the inside pages of the diary and set aside. Fold the piece of cardboard in half to form the cover of the diary. (Don't staple in the pages yet, they need to first decorate the cover of the diary, so that the pages won’t get any glue on them.) Have them cover the cardboard with quilt batting, adhering the batting to the cardboard with a few dots of glue. Then, cover the batting with fabric, folding the fabric over the edges of the cover to make a neat edge. Glue the folded-over portion of the fabric to the inside of the cover. (For a neater look, glue another piece of fabric over the open edges) Add lace, ribbons, silk flowers, glitter, and any other decorations  to make their cover pretty. After the glue has dried, staple the pages inside. Use three staples along the spine of the diary to fasten everything together. You can personalize each child's diary by neatly writing their name on the inside cover of the diary or the first page.  Include a pretty pen with the dairy for the child to take home. These make great party favors. 

Yummy Treats

• Tea Pot Cake-Purchase and prepare your child's favorite flavor boxed cake mix according to package directions; bake using a round ball cake pan. Prepare your own sugar cookie recipe at home. Roll cookie dough to the recommended thickness and cut into the shape of two identical teapot handles and two identical spouts. (It’s a good idea to make extra pieces, just in case the cookies break.) When the cookies have cooled, place frosting on one teapot handle cookie and stick the other one to it. Do the same thing for the teapot spouts. (This makes the handle and spout stronger). After the cake has cooled, assemble it according to the directions included. Then, carefully press the cookie handle and spout into the cake. Decorate your teapot with white icing, using a star-shaped frosting tip. To add the finishing touch, use different colored frosting to add decorative colored flowers to your teapot cake. Enjoy!

• Chocolate Dipped Strawberries-Purchase large, ripe strawberries. Wash berries in cool water and gently pat them dry. Slowly melt 6-12 oz. chocolate chips in a pan and carefully dip the berries in the chocolate halfway. Place the dipped berries on waxed paper to cool. Arrange them on a pretty serving platter and place in refrigerator until ready to serve.

• Dainty Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches- Make regular peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Use cookie cutters to cut the sandwiches into pretty shapes. If you prefer, make your child’s favorite sandwich instead, and use the cookie cutters to cut out various shapes.

• Tea Time-Children often won't prefer to drink real tea, but you can substitute with some of the following drinks: hot apple cider, cocoa, or iced apple juice. For a special treat serve drinks in tea cups.

• Tea Party Punch-You will need: 2 qts. weak tea; 1 qt. pineapple juice; 1 cup fruit punch; 2 cups ginger ale; and ice cubes. Directions: Make the tea in advance and chill. Add remaining ingredients and chill. Add ice cubes before serving. Makes about 12 servings.

• Tea Party Sweets- take any of your favorite pound cake and cut out shapes using cookie cutters.  Ice the the small cakes with your favorite frosting. 

Decorating Tips

Use balloons, curling ribbon and crepe streamers to decorate your party area.  Cut various sizes of curling ribbon and curl.   Place the curls around the cake table/ the table where the guests will be seated.  You can also place the curls around the activities'  table (s).  Use the streamers and balloons where you feel suitable. 

***For an added effect sprinkle confetti on the tables. To add a special finishing touch take fresh cut flowers place them in either ceramic tea pots, cups, or in delicate little vases. ***.