We are in the midst of quite a busy month. Tessa is starting school in just a few shorts days (did I just hear a chorus of angels singing?), Tessa’s birthday puts in an appearance and the very next day me and the kiddos (sans The Hubster) roll out to visit my family (maybe get to meet a blogger).
The “plan” as we shall loosely call it, is for the Hubster is complete some of the little niggling projects like FLOORING and oh ELECTRICAL so we might actually have a shot at closing out our permits this year. I say “plan” because, dude, he’s slated to have 4 days unimpeded by howling children, a nagging wife, and work. Four long lonely days he can fill with beer, power tools, Johnny Cash and sleep. Upon my return I hope to lavish my husband with special favors for all the projects he completes (and I don’t mean finally completing a life sized beer can pyramid).
It is my hope that we can close out October with ungodly amounts of delicious candy and at least one passing inspection. I also hope to plunge full steam ahead into November, cleaning and prepping the house for tea. After last years panicky last minute party
due to pukefest ‘06, I vowed to put together a proper birthday party this year. one with INVITATIONS! and SCHOOL FRIENDS!! Tessa has requested a tea party and now I am scouring the internet looking for CHEAP! tea party food and decor ideas and, really, I need CHEAP! ones.
We’ll be inviting the children in her class, which should be 14. I doubt they will all come but I need to plan just in case there is some cosmic fluke where every single child is inclined to RSVP and show. There will be another 6 to 10 kids on top of that and a boatload of grownups.. why yes, I am insane.
The plan thus far:
Make and send invitations that request everyone comes dressed “fancy” glitter, sequins, bows and top hats are strongly encouraged. Set up several long tables, add lots of chairs. Cover tables with table clothes, accent with contrasting runner. Make tea.
There seems to be a few vital party elements missing. I could use some ideas, CHEAP! ideas.
I’m already scouring the thrift stores for CHEAP! tea cups and saucers (there is thus far a huge void in the used cup and saucer market. What are you people doing with all your tea cups? Give em to me!) I think I will hit the dollar store for a few cheapy vases and maybe fill them with lollipop flowers cause right after Halloween I should be able to score some lollipops for a song. beyond that I’m kind of floundering.
I need a kid friendly, yet gluten free menu, that will also somewhat appease the adults in attendance, maybe a few ideas for organized games (my current plan involves mass chaos and zero activities), and CHEAP! decorating ideas. Also, do I have to do goodie bags? Is it poor children’s party etiquette to just skip em?
Tessa plans on wearing her new Halloween dress, we’ll see if it survives the candy carnage in relatively good condition
Sounds like a fun party!
If dairy isn’t an issue, you can make quesadillas using corn tortillas, tea-time “sandwiches” using rice crackers (turn it into an activity and have kids make their own, just set out platters of fillings and have them stack ‘em up), veggies and GF dip (salad dressings are great), fresh fruit and icing or yogurt to dip it into. Little kids dig anything in tiny, individual sizes, so you could also bake GF cupcakes instead of a big birthday cake and have them each ice and decorate their own. Just keep plenty of napkins handy.
Is there a light fixture over your table that you could attach streamers to? If so, attach one end of each long streamer to it, and attach the other end to the wall to create a kind of “party tea-room tent” like thing — easy to put up, easy to clean up, not too expensive.
Here’s another idea: Have them decorate their own tea cups. Then you’ve covered the cup, a party favor, and an activity all at the same time! I saw this set at Target — set of 4 for about $13. Not sure if that’s inexpensive enough, but it might do the trick, and it even comes with its own paint. http://www.target.com/Paint-Pretend-Mini-Tea-Set/dp/B00005CFBH/sr=1-11/qid=1192125972/ref=sr_1_11/601-3833454-3298512?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Atea%20cup&page=1
Here’s a set that’s already decorated — a bit more expensive at $18, though. But less mess. http://www.target.com/Schylling-Childrens-Tea-Set/dp/B00003GPDU/sr=1-10/qid=1192126139/ref=sr_1_10/601-3833454-3298512?ie=UTF8&index=target&field-browse=1038576&rh=k%3Atea%20cup%2Cp%5F3%3A%240-%2424&page=1
Good luck!
Sheer curtains and white christmas lights!!!
Styrofoam/plastic shot glasses and a bucket of foam decorations so the kids can make their own cups – dye cream cheese with cherry juice and put it on little pieces of gluten free bread cut into flower and hearts shapes!
I am birthday idea mode until the middle of Dec!
I wish I could run around in a dress like that for my birthday… LOL without someone thinking I have lost my mind… or whats left of it anyway!!
For gift bags you can take plain white lunch bags and attach a ribbon with a tag on the end and make them look like giant tea bags, filled with cute dollar store hair thingys or other little cheap trinkets.
how about Salvation Army or other thrift shop for tea cups/saucers for adults? And, maybe you’ll luck into a bunch of kids cups there at the same time? I’d even check eBay… wasn’t there some ancient set/game for kids with a whole bunch of tiny cups? Oriental Trading might be another place to check, and always the dollar stores (especially kids toy section). good luck!