Childhood Valentine’s Day Tradition
Romance is in the air! It’s the time to get out the traditional chocolate and roses or to help the kids make the handmade valentines to give to their friends. There are so many traditions surrounding this old feast day, such as the roses and chocolate, handmade valentines and romantic dinners. But there are also new ones being made all the time! This year I wanted to share with you a Valentine’s tea party tradition that my grandma does every year to celebrate.
Ever since I can remember, my grandma has done tea parties for her granddaughters. She has a special tea party tradition she does for V-Day. At around 15, they “kick us out” to make room for our younger cousins who are old enough to join. However, I still actively help out and supervise the 13 or so girls from 4 through 12 years who attend these parties.
The Setup
Grandma does tea parties are done around the year, but the the one for V-Day is special. Pink tablecloth adorns the dinner table, while candy jars, flowers, and pretty trays of cookies serve as decorations. She uses beautiful ceramic tea cups to serve tea. Grandma presides at the head of the table and all the girls sit around it filling the whole thing. Everyone looks forward to it among the cousins – they get to dress up really fancy and wear jewelry and put up their hair.
The Party
These tea parties at grandma’s are also an opportunity for the little girls to practice good table/tea etiquette. Etiquette is almost a lost art. It’s beautiful to see it being instilled in our younger generation! Grandma engages the girls in conversation, asking them questions about school, dance, music, and any other subjects they are taking lessons in or interested in. In this way they can learn to make polite small talk and entertain each other – conversation skills! They must also ask to “ please pass the cookies” or “ please pass the cream”, if they wish for more servings. The girls ask the older ones to “please refill my cup” if they need more tea.
Happy Tradition-Making!
Because Valentine’s Day was on Ash Wednesday this year, we just had the tea party this Saturday. It made me think to share this special Valentine’s tea party tradition from my Grandma with you! Hopefully you enjoy this fresh idea and maybe if incorporate it and make it one of your new traditions!
