What little girl doesn’t love a tea party? I have fond memories of my younger sister and I planning and preparing for tea time on many wintery Sunday afternoons when I was young. My mother encouraged us, and frequently helped with the parties, but there were “rules”:

  • We could only use her prized Old Country Roses china if we were very careful
  • We had to set a “complete” table- tablecloth, centerpiece, napkins, and all the usual accoutrements that go along with tea
  • We had to serve “real” food and sweets- nothing from a package
  • We have to act like ladies- speak nicely to each other and to our brothers who were always the invited guests; every guest was required to prepare a compliment and a happy story to share
  • We had to clean up “properly”

What fun we had, finding recipes, fussing in the kitchen, sometimes creating paper flowers or other interesting centerpieces because we didn’t have any real blooms (it was November in Regina, SK after all). We’d carefully pick our outfits and we’d chit chat and create and use our imagination. Those were happy times, and I go back there in my head when I miss my siblings who I get to see as often as I’d like. Anyway…looking back I realize that amidst all the fun we were having, we sure learned a lot.

-We learned about being organized, and how to plan

-We learned how to show respect for other people’s things and about the personal value and memories that the hats and broaches, family recipes, tea cups, and pretty things that belonged to my grandmothers and mother carried

-We learners to think about the comfort of others, how to make them feel special and how to show appreciation

-We learned how to have a conversation and how to work together

-We learned about ourselves- our personal style and preferences, what interested us and how to play and use our imaginations – as well as how to be graceful, and gracious, and polite

-We learned to appreciate simple, beautiful things and to be in the moment, to enjoy the company of others and how you have an obligation to contribute at least as much as you plan to take from an interaction

And we learned a lot of practical things too; how to bake, how to read recipes and measure, to use our utensils properly, how to be good hostesses, how to set the table, personal grooming, how to iron, how to write invitations and thank you cards, and so much more. I see now how many of these lessons have influenced me and how often I use these skills.

But life has changed a lot since I was 7. I understand now that with technology and busy parents schedules and for all kinds of other reasons, many little girls simply don’t have the opportunity to play, to experience a good old-fashioned tea party and to learn all the important lessons and skills that these parties taught me. And so, The Rosebud Club was born. Rosebud Club is a “social” club for little girls. It’s a signature program offered at all In Good Company Etiquette Academy Franchise locations. The program runs for 15 week and each enrollee gets a pass to attend any 10 sessions. Plus they get passes to bring a friend to 2 classes. Girls learn everything from party planning to the art of conversation, cake and cookie baking and decorating, good housekeeping tips, and much more. Refreshments are provided.

If you know a girl ages 5-10 who might love a tea party, visit www.ingoodcompanyetiquette.com to inquire about sessions offered in your area, or to register.