Valentine's Day Tea Party for Little Girls

Little girls love tea parties. Why not invite a few of her friends over for a fancy afternoon party for Valentine's Day? Set your prettiest table with linen napkins, fresh flowers, tea sandwiches and pink punch. During the party help each little guest create confectionary necklaces to take home as a party favor. Start with a pretty heart invitation and let the party begin!

A formal invitation

Cut a heart shape from pale pink card stock. Use a dark pink or purple glitter pen and write out the party details along the edges of the heart, working toward the center. Leave room in the middle to print each guest's name. Here is an example of the invitation wording:

Miss Susie Smith would love the pleasure of your company at a Valentine's Day afternoon tea.

Sweets and sips will be served to your hearts delight at half past three on February 14^th(or suitable day of your choice).

Mail or hand deliver these invitations at least a week or more before your holiday party.

Set a delightful table décor

Top your table with a pink or white cloth. Roll the linen napkins and tie them with pretty pink ribbons. For centerpieces, cut baby roses and arrange them in teacups to place on the table. To add Valentine flair, place red paper doilies and heart confetti on your table. Since children love balloons, fill your room with balloons in Valentine colors of red, white, pink and lavender.

Tea Time treats

Even though this party is pass the lunch hour, serve little tea sandwiches for snacks. Cut bread into heart shapes using cookie cutters. Spread the sandwiches with fillings such as tuna salad, chicken salad and even peanut butter and jelly. For the tea, pour a pink punch. This could be pink lemonade or pink grapefruit juice poured into children's plastic teacups.

For dessert bake cupcakes in advance. Allow the little girls to ice the cupcakes with vanilla frosting. Provide an assortment of baking sprinkles in Valentine colors for the children to place on top.

Valentine necklace favor

Let each guest make a candy necklace to take home as a favor. Provide each child with a piece of plastic wrap about 2 feet long. Set out bowls of Valentine candy in the center of the table. The girls can select a few pieces of candy and place them 2 inches apart across the length of the plastic wrap. An adult needs to help them roll the candy inside the plastic wrap making a tube. Make sure the candy is securely wrapped inside the tube using tape if necessary. Between the candy clusters tie a bow using a piece of ribbon. Do this procedure evenly spaced to create a pretty necklace. When finished knot the ends of the tube together to form the necklace. As the children leave the party, let them wear their necklace home.

Tips for a successful children's tea party

• Avoid serving hot tea to young children. The girls probably will not like the taste and you want to avoid any hot spills or burning of the tongue.

• Stay away from sugar overload. Serve nutritious food during the party and only one dessert. When making the candy necklace make sure the girls label the craft with their name and take the party favor home to eat at a later time.

• Recruit older siblings to help the little girls at the party. Or think about inviting the mothers for a mother and daughter Valentine tea party.

• Most of all enjoy the party together and take pictures to savor the memories.

Source: Personal experience

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