Kayla had her 3rd annual Christmas tea party last Saturday.

She invited 7 girls over for the occasion. There was cookie decorating – both sugar cookie cutouts and gingerbread men. I always plan several activities, but every year we hardly get to all of them, because the girls are so meticulous about the craft or cooking project. Last year we did graham cracker gingerbread houses, and they were beautiful, but it took up most of the time! I can’t help but observe the differences between girls and boys at this event. No one asked if they could eat their cookies, but there were requests for extra cookies to decorate “so I can give one to every person in my family.” So sweet! There were no loud or rude noises, much politeness, “Hannah, would you please pass the multicolored sprinkles,” and barely any movement away from or in their seats! Now, my boys love to decorate cookies, but the manner in which it is done looks a bit different!

They had a choice between peppermint hot tea or hot chocolate – each with a mini candy cane in a real tea cup. We read two Christmas stories – The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado, and The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walberg while they were drinking their tea and eating sandwiches, chocolate dipped strawberries, cheese , crackers, carrots, and orange slices.

We played “Pass the Parcel” which is a really fun version of hot potato where you get to unwrap one layer of a gift and find a treat inside if the “parcel” lands in your lap when the music stops. (We learned this from our South African friends Trish and Craig!)

The next day, Kayla said “Mom, I want to have another tea party like that. My favorite part was drinking tea and reading Christmas stories.”

I’m so glad that was her favorite part, and I can see these girls gathering for years to come to celebrate the season with some girly fun!