Planning A Fancy Nancy Tea Party

Do you have a little girl between 2 and oh, say, 102? Does she love to dress up and use her imagination for play? Then, let's have a tea party!

Tea parties can be as impromptu or planned as you want. Here are some tips for a semi-impromptu party for you, a little girl or two, and her dolls! It involves about an hour of craft and preparation time and you are good to go.

1. Choose a theme
Rosie and I think it's fun to plan a tea party around some of her favorite books. Fancy Nancy even has a special book - just about tea parties! Some other suggestions, are Alice in Wonderland; The Cat in the Hat; any Disney Princess; Madeline; or Eloise.
2. Decorations
A table and chairs, of course! A pretty tablecloth helps set the mood for a special occasion. A tea set - cups, saucers, teapot, small plates. a cake plate, or tray. It's spring and their are amazing flowers to pick right outside your front door. Tulips, daffodils, even wildflowers can add a fun touch.

Craft time is perfect for creating some decorations - like these lollipop flowers I found at Family Fun. Paper fans are fun and decorative too! Simply fold paper and secure one end with a rubber band. Adding a ribbon wrist loop is easy and pretty. Especially for a Fancy Nancy party - but for all tea parties, hats are a must, the fancier the better - for you AND the dolls.


3. Invitations
If you google, "tea party" you can find graphics to suit any party. For a quick invitation, print out a graphic and then let your child use crayons to write out the words. Print on card stock. Use scrapbook scissors to cut out the shape with a decorative edge. Write the invitation info on the back. Even little ones can write "pretend" party info that I know your doll guests can read! The tea cup graphic can also be used for placecards - instead of cutting out the shape, cut into a rectangle and fold to make a tent card.

4. Refreshments
Whether pretend or real, traditional tea party refreshments are scones, cookies, petit fours, finger sandwiches. For our quick and easy parties, we like to use fancy cookies.

5, Manners
A tea party is the perfect time to teach your children about proper manners and making conversation. Here's a link to a refresher for tea party etiquette (if you want to brush up on it yourself *wink*). Tea Party Etiquette

and the most essential, only important rule of all.......

6. Have fun!
The best part of a tea party is using your imagination, so don't worry if everything isn't perfect or if you have time to do this or that. Create things together and it will be special. Laugh, talk, and share - it'll be the best tea party ever.




I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms blogging program to be eligible to get a Fancy Nancy prize pack. For more information on how you can participate, click here. http://www.twittermoms.com/forum/topics/share-your-tips-for-planning-a


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