As a Mom of two girls, I’ve fantasized about having a tea party birthday party but I always got stuck with the details. Plastic or china tea cups? Would the girls have fun? Would they stay seated or just run into the playroom? Eileen Phelan has mastered the tea party for little girls. She’s been giving tea party birthday parties for ten years so she’s got it all figured out.
Eileen and her daughter, Molly, arrived at my house a half hour before the party and set up. Within minutes my casual dining room was transformed into a tea room complete with lace table cloth, flowers, crystal plates and cups, pink napkins and silverware, trays of finger sandwiches and, of course, several tea pots. There were even flowers in French lemonade bottles. Tres chic! My daughters were in awe and so was I.
Eileen’s tea parties aren’t just tea parties. They are princess tea parties which include dress-up, make-up and manicures. Eileen set up a rack of princess dresses and a table of costume jewelry and tiaras. As each girl arrived she picked out her dress and accessories and got her make-up and nails done. It could have been chaos but Eileen was in control. A three-year-old started to cry when she saw the older girls getting their make-up done. Eileen saw this happening from across the room and announced, “Nobody has to do anything they don’t want to. We are here to have fun.” After that, the little girl got in line for her very first manicure and lip gloss. But, most of the girls were thrilled to wear real make-up.
When the tea party began Eileen told the kids that she was serving magic tea from Snow White. This tea will make you act like like a real princess or prince (there was one little boy) and it tastes just like pink lemonade! The kids ate mini turkey and cheese sandwiches, heart shaped PB&J and bagels with cream cheese or butter. There was also fruit salad and decorate your own cookies for dessert.
The kids stayed in their seats, raised their hands for more food and (as Eileen had instructed) when they wanted more tea they said, “More tea, please!” with a princess voice. We had a smaller table for the younger kids and they were so well behaved that all the Moms went into the other room to chat.
After lunch, we played freeze dance, limbo and hot potato. It was such a hoot seeing the kids dance in their ensembles. I think dancing really made the kids feel extra royal. There’s something about dancing in a long dress that feels different. The party ended with a sticker craft and a lot of happy kids (and relaxed Moms.)
When Eileen left, it was like the party never happened. She cleaned up and my dining room was back to normal. I didn’t feel exhausted like I usually do after hosting a party. (But, there were heart shaped PB&J sandwiches in my refrigerator, so I’m pretty sure it did happen.)
If you would like to have a Tea Party Birthday Party, call Eileen Phelan at 203-532-0547. The price is very reasonable and she is willing to work with you to give you the tea party you envision.
