Libraries are more than books. Some kids need a little direction to get the creative juices flowing. I gleaned the following from PUBYAC contributors. If you're a member, check out the archives for 12-29-2008; 12-23-2008; 12-13-2008; 7-8-2008 and 9-8-2007. These tea parties can be geared for an American Girl Doll Party, a Fancy Nancy Party, an Olivia Party, or just an old fashioned get-together. Please add YOUR comments. Your colleagues would appreciate hearing what works, and what didn't!

(see also: American Girl--http://printables4kids.com/american-girl-printable-activities/

               Fancy Nancy--http://printables4kids.com/fancy-nancy-printables/)

Invitations:

• Suggest that the attendees would like to bring their favorite doll, or bear.
• Invite the Moms, too, (you can always use the extra hands)
• It is recommended to have a signup sheet and some age guidelines--for the kids, not the Moms.

Dress:

• Try to set the stage with your most elegant dress
• Let your guests know that they may want to attend “dressed in their best” OR that you will have a box of dress up props for girls who wanted to but didn’t think of it
• Dollar Stores are a great source for boas, hats, bags, gloves and scarves
• Have a fashion show for the girls or for the dolls. (Have the children write up a description of their doll's attire; have somebody else read the description as the doll is walked down the red carpet--a table with a red tablecloth.)

Refreshments:

• Serve non-caffeine type beverages in tea cups, if possible, (apple juice, lemonade, tea, punch, pop)
• Finger foods—tea sandwiches, apple slices, pretzels, (stay away from chocolate with the dolls)
• Oreo’s, Salerno butter cookies, and Teddy Grahams come in miniature sizes that are great for dolls, (and the girls can have the regular size)
• Use small cookie cutters to cut brownies into heart shapes
• Bake mini muffins, scones, gingerbread men

Decorations:

• Have displays for the girls to view—dolls, doll clothes, hats, teapots
• Use real table cloths if you can, it adds elegance
• Centerpieces--silk flowers, doilies especially on serving pieces
• Pastel colored netting, as swags, bunting
• Clear plastic plates are far better than foam or paper, if you have disposable. Have the guests decorate the dishes with flower stickers
• Have music playing in the background
• Get real tea cups from thrift stores. The cups were all between fifty cents and a dollar a piece and were a nice balance between fancy and affordable. (Webster)

Favors/Crafts:

• Fans
• Placemats (color your own)
• Journals, scrapbooks
• Crowns out of cardboard cut-outs, decorate with jewels, or fun-foam
• Decorate a headband, a teacup, tin-can pencil holder
• Contact AG for Raffle Prizes--posters, trading cards, bookmarks, stickers and pins
• Make a rag, or wooden spoon-doll
• Beaded jewelry for guest and/or doll
• Butterfly Mask. (Fancy Nancy)

Games:

• Similar to those you would play at a shower
• American Girl Quiz, or a manners trivia game
• Relay races: balance book on heads; balance a sugar cube on a spoon over to the tea cup
• Hangman's game with tea words

Program:

• Have various stations for crafts & games before ending with the "tea."
• Read a book or a chapter, depending on your theme.
• Use the ideas in the American Girl non-fiction "companion" books--craft, cookbooks, mystery kit...
• A “short” program about table etiquette would be appropriate.
• Set up a table as a "Hair Salon," with various small hair decorations: barrettes, brightly colored elastics, ribbons; small combs and brushes.
• Add another table and set up a “Hat Shop” with inexpensive hat forms, lace, flowers and ribbons.
• Dancing--country reel, waltz, square dance, Mexican hat dance.
• American Indian stone games. (American Girl)

VOLUNTEERS:

• Get adult help to “serve”

COST:

• Most supplies can be purchased in bargain bins at craft stores or Dollar Stores.
• Even so, figure about $50-60 for a dozen girls, if you're going to make a splash.

TIME:

• About an hour-and-a-half should be sufficient.