Tween Tea Party
When people think of tea parties, they generally think that the theme of this party is appropriate for very young girls or sophisticated older women. However, tea parties are the perfect theme for preteen girls. Girls this age can properly learn the tea party etiquette in advance and have fun practicing their skills during this event. Tweens, as girls of this age are often called, are eager to become young ladies and will appreciate the opportunity to feel all grown up when they attend a formal tea party.
Invitations
Buy small blank cards with a pretty floral cover design. Add a small tea bag to the inside of each sachet before sealing. The aromatic effect of the tea bag will add a little extra pleasure for the recipient of the invitation. Be sure to make a copy of the tea party etiquette for your guests so they can practice ahead of time.
Decorations
Keep the tea party decorations simple. Wear lots of fresh flowers and lace. Try using cloth napkins. Buy old-fashioned china teacups and saucers at a flea market. There are usually a lot of mismatched versions at a great price. Each guest will need a cup of tea and a saucer, a small plate, a fork, a teaspoon, and a napkin.
Attracted
Be sure to include a note in the invitation instructing guests to dress “better on Sundays.” Provide old hats, gloves, and feather boas for the girls to wear, if they wish.
Food and cake
Tea party snacks generally include scones and / or muffins, sandwiches, and sweets. Suggested foods may include mini muffins like orange blossom, chicken salad sandwiches, and fudge sandwiches.
Serve the tea in a porcelain or vintage teapot. There are many flavored teas to choose from. Offering a variety and letting tweens pick their own would be a nice touch. Serving tea with milk, cream, lemon wedges, and cubed sugar will make your young guests feel very ripe.
If serving on a 3-tier server, place scones and muffins on the top tier, sandwiches on the middle tier, and desserts and treats on the bottom.
Tea Party Napkin Label
As each guest arrives, you should sit down politely and wait for the other guests to arrive. Once all the guests are seated, the hostess will be seated. You will then remove the napkin from the table, unfold it, and place it on your lap. Guests must do the same.
If you must leave the table before the tea party is over, put the napkin on your chair until you return.
When the tea party is over, the hostess will place her napkin on the table. At this point, you should fold your napkin in half or quarters and carefully place it on the table on the right side of your plate. Never crumple or ball the napkin before placing it on the table.
Tea party etiquette when eating
Take off your gloves before dinner.
There is an order in which the food for the tea party should be consumed. Eat scones or muffins first, then sandwiches, and lastly any candy.
Since most tea party foods are “snacks,” it is perfectly acceptable to eat with your fingers. If a food looks dirty, use a fork or spoon.
Take small bites.
When eating a bun or muffin, break up the small pieces and eat them with your fingers. Do not use a fork. Never dip your bun in jam from the serving plate; instead add some jam to your plate and dip it there.
Never speak with food in your mouth.
Tea party etiquette when drinking tea
When adding sugar to your tea, be careful not to dip the serving spoon in your tea. Hold the spoon just above your cup of tea and pour into your mug.
Add sugar or milk to your tea with your own teaspoon. Stir in a back and forth motion as opposed to a circular motion. When stirring, try not to hit the sides of your teacup. When you are done stirring, place your teaspoon on the saucer of your cup.
Drink your tea by lifting the teacup, not the saucer. Bring the cup of tea to your mouth to drink. Return the cup to the saucer between sips.
Don’t sip or swallow your tea. Instead, take small, quiet sips.
If your tea seems too hot to drink, put the cup back on the saucer and wait a bit for it to cool. You should never blow your tea.
Additional tag for the tea party
Remember to say “please” and “thank you” as well as “excuse me” when appropriate.
Cover your mouth with the napkin if you need to sneeze or cough.
Never reach across the table to pick things up. Instead, politely ask someone to pass the article on to you. An example would be, “Katherine, could you pass me the sandwiches?”
Be careful to give everyone a chance to join the conversation. Don’t try to talk too much or to the same person all the time.
Remember to use your napkin.
Remember to return all serving forks and spoons to their corresponding plates. Never place a serving utensil on the tablecloth or table.
Tea Party Etiquette Regarding Thank You Notes
After your child’s tea party is over, proper etiquette also requires that thank you notes be sent to party guests. These could include a photo insert card with a pretty floral theme. You could post a photo of the girls enjoying the tea party.