Planning a tea party is sure to be an exciting experience. Here are some great tips for planning your first tea party.
Research
Some really tea-rrific books are available and you should consider using at least one, if not more of these books, as a guide in helping you plan your first tea party.
Choosing a Time
When selecting the time for your party, keep in mind the ages of the children attending. Since tea and sweets are all that is really necessary for a children's tea party, consider having your party between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm - after lunch and early enough so that dinner will not be spoiled. If you decide that you want to serve a more substantial menu including tea sandwiches, adjust your time accordingly. With an ideal number of guests being anywhere from eight to twelve guests, your party should last about two hours.
The Guest List
Before you start compiling the list of names of young ladies and perhaps gentlemen you would like to invite to your tea party, you should first decide on a comfortable number of guests. Think about the amount of space you have available, in relation to the number of guests you would like to invite. If your space is limited keep the guest list small to ensure everyone is comfortable. If you are planning to have your tea party outdoors or you have plenty of room to accommodate many guests for an indoor tea party, the list can be lengthy.
Invitations
Invitations to a tea party should be hand delivered or mailed to your guests at least three weeks before your party. In the summertime or around major holidays, four to six weeks notice is appropriate. Your invitation should include all of the important information regarding your party and set the mood for the event. For example, if you would like your guests to wear hats, indicate that on the invitation. If you want parents to drop off and pick up children at a certain time, indicate those times. Your RSVP date should always be seven to ten days prior to your party date.
Whether hand written or computer generated, there are lots of different options available when it comes tea party invitations. A great way to involve your child with her party preparations is to let her help select invitations. Involve children with little tasks like stuffing the envelopes and adding the postage stamps. Craft stores or party shops have lots of stickers and rubber stamps with a tea party or dress up theme. Another task for children could be decorating the outside of the envelopes. Be sure you let your child drop the completed invitations into the mailbox.
The Menu
The menu for your tea party should be simple and bite sized as finger foods are easy to prepare, serve and eat. Your menu should be age appropriate and relatively familiar to children. Remember to discuss the menu with your child and be sure it includes her favorite things. Mini cupcakes, assorted cookies, brownie bites, mini muffins, petit fours and assorted sliced seasonal fruits are perfect treats for a tea party.
About the Author
Residing in northern New Jersey, Lisa Marie Mihalina owns and operates a floating tea party business for both the young and the young at heart. Visit her at teapartylady.com or contact her by email here.
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