Cooking looking for tea party ideas

[laura&fam]

I'm trying to put together a tea party for my DD9 and her friends and their American Girls dolls. I have an idea for the drinks, but I coming up blank on food to go with it.

Any ideas would be appreciated. I'd like fancy, but not too time consuming.

 

[gila]

little tea sandwiches are traditionally served with the crusts cut off--perfect for kids! i'd make something like egg salad, ham and cheese, and maybe something "exotic" like cucumber and chevre on regular sandwich bread, then use cute cookie cutters to cut out the middle of the sandwich and serve that, leaving you to eat the crusts

and cookies. or make a simple trifle with store-bought pound cake, lemon curd, and berries.

 

[tnkr mom]

Check out Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade (Desserts book - has really cute ideas for b-day party a friend and I used for her 3yo DD) Swirl taffy's in a planter stand - so cute. Sandra Lee also has a website; maybe something on there, her stuff ideas are always easy but with flair! Have fun

 

[MazdaUK]

Can you get "iced gem" biscuits (cookies) there? They are tiny little cookies with just a swirl of hard frosting on top - we always used to have them for tea parties Or make cupcakes in a mini muffin pan, they always go down well (you can use a packet, small girls are not picky if something is pretty ) I know you can get Barbie sprinkles which are pink and glittery.

 

[piratesmate]

For sandwiches I might add ham salad (or even canned deviled ham) and/or cream cheese with gherkin pickles unless you're sure they'll eat olives - then use those. If you can get 'pickled eggs' aka 'red beet eggs' or have time to make them, make egg salad out of those. DD & I actually prefer egg salad made with those, but the best part is that the pink in tea sandwiches is really cute! Also, to mix things up maybe make a few sandwiches with tiny rye bread - the stuff that's maybe 3" across. That goes good with ham. Or maybe mini croissants if you can get them.

I love the idea of mini cupcakes! Cute idea. If you want to take an easier route, Costco & Giant stores here carry frozen cream puffs and/or eclairs. They're small - again maybe 3-4" across - and quite tasty.

This lady went all out for her DD's American Girl tea party, but I thought some of her ideas might be adaptable for you: http://abeautifulmosaic.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/throwing-a-tea-party-american-girl-style/

And have you checked out the American Girl Cafe official tea party menus? Maybe you can get some ideas there as well...I had no idea they served so many different options! http://www.americangirl.com/stores/experience_cafe.php

And this site has some awesome ideas!! http://www.plan-an-elegant-tea-party.com/an-american-girls-tea-party.html Make sure you click on the link at the left for the menus & recipes.

Have fun!

 

[laura&fam]

Thanks for the ideas. I think I'll check out what Costco has and then fill in with a few "elaborate" ideas that I make myself. If I'm only doing a couple of things from scratch then I'd be able to spend more time on them.

I love the idea of having a menu (I hadn't thought of that) and naming things after the American Girls. But then again I like all crafts paper. What food would be appropriate for Kaya though? Maybe a berry type dessert?