A tea party – how charming! Come for the small bites and desserts, and a few etiquette lessons, too!
The Homewood Public Library had a dozen girls ages 5 to 9 attend the Tea Party and Charm School event on Feb. 10. They arrived at the party in their fancy clothes, some with bows and accents in their hair. A few wore gloves.
Tea party host librarian Kate Behrens said it was the first such program she’s organized that combined a tea party with a learning experience. She based her tea party on the “Fancy Nancy” book series. She read several books about parties and one of the “Fancy Nancy” books to the girls who enjoyed learning about how Nancy loves to dress up, plan special events and use fancy words.
“I really found a need for children to learn manners. I feel like it’s becoming a lost art, so let’s bring it back and make it fun,” Behrens said of the event. She welcomed each guest and had them take a place setting to the table. Behrens had already provided a placemat showing where the plate, silverware and cups go when setting the table.
Behrens’ first instruction was the introduction. She demonstrated how to make eye contact, extend your right hand and introduce yourself with her partner Elise Bandstra, vice president of the library’s Teen Leadership Council. Behrens called it a “Goldie Locks Handshake: not too tight, not too loose.”
Next, Behrens went through a list of proper etiquette: make certain hands are washed before coming to the table. Leave your cell phone or tablet in your room because the dinner table is for conversation. Keep your elbows off the table and your napkin on your lap. Dishes are passed from left to right.
Then it was time to eat. At each place, the girls found two food servings in small cups – a crunchy munchy charcuterie and a fancy fruit cup. The celery wasn’t a favorite of some, but it gave Behrens the chance to give instruction on taking a bite to try everything, and “If you have something yucky in your mouth that you don’t like, put it in your napkin and place it on the side.”
Petite sandwiches were passed. After foods, the girls enjoyed chocolate mini cupcakes and cookies decorated for Valentine’s Day.
Behrens gave a few additional instructions: thank your hostess for the meal. Offer to help with clean-up. Remember to help others. Wait your turn. Hold the door for the next person. And always follow the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated.
