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And don't forget to get some cheap beads so the girls can make jewelry and maybe even hats for the party. You might make a trip to the trift store and get some crazy hats. Or you might try Oriental Trading Company or Rhode Island Novelty Company. But you could sew felt ones your self and let them go nuts decorating. ------------------------- Pick a shape and serve everything you can in that shape: hearts, tea pots, Christmas trees, stars, leaves, squares, circles, flowers. Cookie cutters come in so many fun shapes and sizes that there is no limit to the themes. Use them to cut your sandwiches, cookies, cookie bars, and scones. There are even candy molds, cookie molds and cookie presses as well as specialty spring form pans and cake pans. A Whimsical Tea Party for Children By Brenda Hyde Tea Parties for children give us a chance to have some quiet fun with our kids, as well as create some very special memories. Don't forget to invite the teddy bears, and Grandma if she can attend, for when giving a tea party, the more the merrier! Do not think that your tea party will be limited to sitting at a table drinking your tea and nibbling, however. It's important to have everyone join in a rousing rendition of "I'm A Little Tea Pot" before beginning. While everyone is partaking of their tea and treats, you can quietly read a Beatrix Potter story. One of my favorites is Mrs. Tiggy Winkle, a whimsical tale that will widen the eyes of little ones and bring smiles to all present. Preparing for Tea I have a set of old china that I bought for $9.00 at an antique shop years ago. Some pieces are missing, but it's pretty and perfect for tea parties. You can also use coffee cups or pretty paper cups and plates. Children will have fun no matter what you serve the tea in! You will need a package of paper doilies, to place on your serving plates, and napkins. If you have clean cloth doilies and napkins this would be a wonderful touch to your party, but either is fine. Tea Pots come in all prices and sizes. If you don't have a ceramic tea pot you can pick one up at a thrift store, garage sale or antique shop. Again, it's not the price or the pattern that is important. I have a beautiful white tea pot that has a small chip in it and I purchased it for less than $5.00. Every time I get it out I feel I have been transported to a gentler time. This is the feeling your tea party should have! Make sure all your cups, saucers and the tea pot have been washed and dried. Either place them on a tray of some type to bring to the table or place them in the middle of the table before you begin. Before brewing your tea, as in the recipe below, pour hot water into your pot and the cups to warm them and then pour it out. Vanilla Milk Tea ingredients: 1 cup milk 2 tsp. vanilla extract 4 tsp. decaf black or green tea (or 4 tea bags) 1 quart boiling water Pour the milk into a saucepan, add the vanilla, and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand until the milk is cool. Place the tea leaves in the teapot and add the boiling water. Cover with a towel and steep 5 minutes. Pour about 1/4 cup of the cooled milk into the teacups. Stir and strain the tea into the cups. Makes 4-5 servings. This recipe is from the Gibson House Volunteer's Cookbook, in Toronto. I purchased it over 15 years ago on my honeymoon. Coconut Cookies Ingredients: 1 cup butter 1 cup sugar 1 egg, unbeaten 1 cup coconut 2 cups flour 1 tsp. baking powder Cream butter and sugar together. Add egg, then coconut. Sift in flour with baking powder. Break off pieces the size of a walnut on greased pan. Flatten with fork. Bake in moderate (350) oven until a light golden brown. ~From my Mother's Cookbook-Jean Harding~ Lemony Tea Bread Ingredients: 3/4 cup milk 1 tablespoon finely shredded lemon peel or lemon balm 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, or 1 tsp. dried thyme 2 cups flour 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/3 cup butter 1/2 cup sugar 2 eggs 2 tablespoons shredded lemon peel 2/3 cup sifted powdered sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice In a small sauce pan, heat milk, lemon balm or peel, and thyme until just warm. Remove from heat; cool. Stir together flour, baking powder, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until fluffy. Alternately add the herbed milk and the flour to batter, beating on low speed until just combined. Fold in lemon peel. Turn into greased and floured 9x5x3 loaf pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven 45-50 minutes or until golden. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan. Combine powdered sugar and just enough lemon juice to make a drizzle. Spoon over bread. Slice and serve on a pretty paper doily lined plate. I'm A Little Teapot (music copyright 1939 Kelman Music) I'm a little teapot short and stout; (stick your tummy out and pretend you are very short) Here is my handle (place your hand on your hip, so your arm is a handle) And here is my spout. (Bend your other arm and hand like a spout) When I get all steamed up, then I shout: Just tip me over and pour me out! (Bend over and pretend you are pouring out your tea!) Beatrix Potter Books You should have no trouble finding Beatrix Potter Books at the library. I have found many of our collection at thrift stores. However, Amazon has a wonderful selection of Beatrix Potter items in stock that can be ordered online: (click on the title to see descriptions and information) The Great Big Treasury of Beatrix Potter Beatrix Potter:The Complete Tales The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle Final Thoughts Tea Parties are not just for girls! Even if you have small boys, or both boys and girls, a tea party is a special activity that will become a treasured memory. Our children are bombarded daily with negative messages. They seem to be growing up faster all the time and their childhood innocence only lasts for so long. Activities such as tea parties, reading, family game nights and craft time will stay with them forever as gentle memories that will carry them through difficult times in their lives. Plan your tea party today, and enjoy an afternoon of magic and whimsy with your children! About the Author Brenda Hyde is a wife, mom to three, a freelance writer and editor of Old Fashioned Living living in the rural Midwest. She holds frequent tea parties with her kids, often inviting teddy bears and stuffed bunnies, as well as grandma.