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By Brenda Junkin Remember the fancy tea parties you and your Chatty Cathy doll used to have in the back yard? From great-grand- ma to great-granddaughter, every little girl has enjoyed a tea party: nibbling on delectable tea sandwiches, quaint cookies, precious petit fours - and, of course, lots of tea. Here's the strategy: Planning: Get a guest list from both the bride and the groom. Gather a bunch of mismatched teacups and saucers (called "harlequin sets") from thrift stores to serve your tea and use as centerpieces. (These could double as gifts for guests to take home.) Ask everyone to get into the party theme by wearing gloves - very "girlie." Decorations: You can never have too much linen and lace at a tea party. In designing your centerpiece, start with lace or embroidered linens from your grandma's attic, local craft store or resale shop. Center the linen on each table. Place a teacup and saucer, filled with tightly bundled miniature roses (silk flowers would be fine) on the linen. Party favors: Make them yourself. Gather little metal containers (tins from yesteryear) at the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Fill with assorted teas, wrapped in netting and ribbon in the bride-to-be's wedding colors. Game: Cut out hearts for each guest to write the couple well wishes or words of advice. Place the notes in a decorative wishing well to be used at the wedding reception. Have the bride read them out loud. It might be fun to hear what great-grandma really thinks about marriage. Eats: Eve Hill, contributing editor at Tea a Magazine, offers a few tips on planning a successful tea party. "It's fun to be creative with your tea party," says Hill. "Simple finger sandwiches can be made special by coating one edge with a thin film of mayonnaise, then dipping it into chopped parsley." Try different fillings, too. White bread can be sprinkled with a bit of paprika. Have fun, and enjoy your planning. If you're comfortable, your guests will be comfortable.
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