| These tips and guidelines will help your | | | | observe the best etiquette.Preparing Your Tea |
| child and all her guests enjoy their party | | | | PartyOne word about preparing your tea party. |
| and learn proper manners.How much you follow | | | | Your tea should be served from teapots. Tea |
| accepted etiquette really depends on the age | | | | bags are just too messy.Remember It's FunI've |
| of your child and her guests.For a very young | | | | already said this, but it's worth repeating. |
| group you may find that simply instructing | | | | The most important thing to remember is to |
| them to say "please" and "thank you" and to | | | | make sure your birthday child and all her |
| ask for things to be passed rather than | | | | guests have fun. Observing proper tea party |
| reaching for them is acceptable etiquette at | | | | etiquette can be a fun part of the party |
| your party.As a parent it might be helpful if | | | | experience, but you don't want to make your |
| you stand beside the table and gently offer | | | | party atmosphere too stiff because everyone |
| guidance as you go. You could even start your | | | | is "worried" they will make a mistake.Tea |
| party by giving all your guests a short | | | | Party Etiquette Tips and GuidelinesSince most |
| lesson in this party etiquette.For older | | | | tea party foods are "finger foods" it is |
| children you can use more proper etiquette, | | | | perfectly alright to eat with your fingers. |
| but in either case it will be necessary for | | | | If something is a bit messy, use your fork or |
| you to instruct your child and their guests | | | | spoon.Break off bite-sized pieces of larger |
| in the fine art of tea party etiquette that | | | | foods unless they are messy. In that case, |
| you are expecting them to follow.Have | | | | use your fork or spoonTake bites of small |
| funWhile following good etiquette will make | | | | sandwiches. Even if the sandwich is tiny, |
| your party more enjoyable and at the same | | | | never put the entire sandwich in your |
| time provide everyone with at least a little | | | | mouth.When you sugar your tea, be careful not |
| education in proper manners, you don't want | | | | to dip the serving tong or spoon into your |
| your child or their guests to worry about | | | | tea.Stir sugar or milk into your tea with |
| making a mistake.Make sure everyone | | | | your teaspoon. When you are finished stiring, |
| understands that if they forget and make a | | | | place your teaspoon on your cup saucer.Drink |
| mistake, it's all right. Tell them to have | | | | your tea by holding your cup and saucer up to |
| fun and do their best to remember the | | | | your chest, then take your teacup off of your |
| etiquette guidelines.Tea Party EtiquetteI've | | | | saucer and bring your teacup up to your mouth |
| put together a list of helpful tips and | | | | and take a drink.Don't slurp or gulp you tea. |
| guidelines that will help everyone better | | | | Just take small sips.Hold your teacup |
| understand how to do things properly at a tea | | | | normally, it is not necessary to "stick out |
| party without getting too stuffy and formal. | | | | your little finger" (your pinky) while |
| We are after all putting together a party for | | | | drinking your tea.If your tea seems too hot |
| young girls.A Birthday Tea Party is a | | | | to drink, place your cup back on the saucer |
| wonderful opportunity for your birthday child | | | | and return your cup and saucer to the table |
| and her party guests to not only have a lot | | | | to let your tea cool off. Never blow on your |
| of fun, but to learn proper manners as | | | | tea.You should not reach across the table to |
| well.Keep in mind the ages of your birthday | | | | pick things up. Instead, politely ask someone |
| child and her guests. For very young children | | | | to pass the item to you. "Excuse me Cindy, |
| you can't expect them to understand or use | | | | could you please pass the sandwiches?" |
| much in the way of formal tea etiquette, so | | | | Remember to say "please" and "thank you" and |
| you may want to try using only a few simple | | | | "excuse me."It's not polite to talk with your |
| tea party etiquette guidelines.Send Your | | | | mouth full of food.Cover your mouth if you |
| Guests The Etiquette GuidelinesIf you feel | | | | need to cough or sneeze.Be careful not to |
| that your birthday child and her guests are | | | | talk too much, let everyone have a chance to |
| old enough to understand, observe and use | | | | join in the conversation.Remember to use your |
| more of the following tea party etiquette | | | | napkin.Do your best to remember and use these |
| guidelines, you might want to copy the list | | | | etiquette tips and guidelines, but if you |
| we've provided here and send these guidelines | | | | forget to do some things properly, don't |
| along with your invitations, informing your | | | | worry, have fun.Thank You NotesAfter your |
| guests that you will be following this list | | | | child's tea party is over, proper etiquette |
| of tea party etiquette guidelines. That way, | | | | also calls for thank you notes to be sent to |
| each guest will have an opportunity to become | | | | your party guests. This is a great project |
| familiar with tea party etiquette and will be | | | | for you and your birthday child to work on |
| more comfortable at your party.A Gentle | | | | together.A Closing ThoughtThese simple tea |
| Reminder - The Etiquette GameYou can also | | | | party etiquette tips and guidelines will help |
| take a few minutes at the beginning of your | | | | make your child's birthday tea party a great |
| tea party to go over these simple guidelines | | | | success and one they will remember fondly for |
| with your guests so that everyone can have | | | | years to come.Mike Dougherty has put together |
| fun doing their best to follow the proper | | | | lots of successful birthday parties for his |
| etiquette that is expected. You can even make | | | | children and grandchildren. |
| this into a game and reward the guests who | | | | |