I had a little tea party
this afternoon at three.
‘Twas very small,
three guests in all,
Just I, myself and me.
Myself ate up the sandwiches,
While I drank up the tea.
‘Twas also I who ate the pie,
And passed the cake to me.
The Tea Party by Jessica Nelson North
In an earlier post I shared my memories of the first tea set that I had as a very young girl. I still have that set and now it looks so very small. I remember setting my table with each plate, cup and saucer, setting them just so. Little treats to enjoy, my tea parties had special imaginary friends and of course, Transistor Bear.
When my daughter was young, she received her first tea set from me. And I still have that tea set in its original box. In full nostalgia, I pulled the set out and dusted off the memories of when she was that little and the delight of a young girl having tea. I will be handing this set off to her so she and her daughter can enjoy it and carry on the tradition.
One of the joys I have is that my daughter, daughter-in-law and grand-daughters all enjoy the fun of a tea party. I have made it a tradition that for each grandchild, I will purchase their first teacup. In all honesty, these may not necessarily be true tea cups but they serve the purpose perfectly. Kind of like an early right of passage, these cups are chosen with each child in mind.
I have even included my grandsons on this journey. When they get old enough to comfortably hold the cup, we venture into tea parties – tea time with grandma. And when old enough, have that initial introduction to a tea room.
For the boys!
With gentle instruction, I show them how to hold the cup, how to use the spoon, and just to enjoy the moment. Little sandwiches and crudites, always followed with a sweet treat. Clink, clink, clink goes the spoon while stirring. With little smiles on their face, they look at each other and are feeling very grown up and special. Slurp goes the first sip….grandma corrects and explains how to drink and savor. I smile and hope they are able to keep this special time in their little hearts.
Ahhh now the little girls ……small hands, small cups.
13 Comments
Laurie Janssen
So sweet to pass on tea traditions to your “girls” but also to the “boys”…luv it. The vintage tea sets are really neat.
Beth
Thanks Laurie. I love the sports related cup. Its actually an Espresso cup but works fine for a little tea or cocoa.
Erin
How sweet!! And so cute! Where do you get all those tiny cups?
Beth
Thanks Erin. Great question. Vintage and antique shops. Almost all of my teacups come from vintage and antique shops. For the small hands, many of these cups are Demitasse or Espresso cups, like the Sports one. I have a couple shops that in particular have china and tea cups that are my favorite, but I have found them in all sorts of locations. Some of them are right out there but others you have to be willing to pick through the piles – its the hunt!
BarBara Simoneau
What sweet remembrances. I had forgotten all about Transistor Bear! If he could talk, I know he would have tales to tell about the tea parties he attended!
Love that you are passing on this wonderful tradition.
Courtney
I love this post! Such a wonderful experience for grandchildren to have tea parties with their grandma!
Beth
Thanks Courtney. Well I started early and have had just a ton of blessings with my grandkids. Its been so much fun to keep this tradition for them. Appreciate your comment.
Adrienne
I loved my first tea set and so did my daughter 🙂
Beth
Hi Adrienne – What a sweet memory for the two of you. I still have my first cup and tea set. Thanks for your comment.
Stephanie
This is such a fun tradition! My grandma collected tea cups. When she passed away all the granddaughters got to pick out a tea cup, and get back any that they bought her. Last year my 5 year old had a tea party for her birthday, such a fun one to plan.
Beth
Hi Stephanie – yes, my mom did the same thing. She has passed but I learned she always bought a cup whenever we traveled. My sisters and I have all her cups and I use them often. Such a sweet memory. Thanks for your comments.
Lina
What a sweet and fun tradition!
Beth
Thanks Lina. Yes, started with my mom and grandma and I just carried it on to my girls so to speak. The guys too but the girls are more into it for sure.