Garden Tea Party A great party, even if the guests are older and more "sophisticated!" This is best during the summer or spring as it is outdoors. Invite-Purchase blank cards with pictures of scenic spots on the front, i.e. a crashing waterfall or secluded garden. On the inside, write the party details in formal calligraphy. Decorations-This party is held outdoors. Purchase lots of crepe paper streamers and balloons in soft pastel colors and put them everywhere. Have a table in a shaded secluded spot in your yard, we did it under a weeping willow tree. Dress up the table with formal place settings, china, and coordinating pastel table wear. Food and cake-Serve finger sandwiches: watercress, cucumber, or cream cheese. These should be petite and delicate. Serve tea of course, herbal and Earl Gray, with milk, cream, lemon, and cubed sugar to make them feel like ladies. Also have cocoa. Teach the girls proper tea-serving etiquette. Also have a selection of pastries. The cake should be as dressed-up as possible: sugar roses, frills, icing swirls, the works. Make it in pastel colors and place it on a cake stand surrounded by flowers. Eat after the gardening activity. Activities-The main one will be creating a flower bed. The girls design what it will look like. You should purchase many flowers from the nursery that they can transplant decoratively. They pick exactly what it will look like and can also plant seeds that you provide. They also design their own terra cotta pots with paints, and each choose one flower that they would particularly like to have. They transplant this into their terra cotta pot.  Another activity is doing makeovers in pastel colors of course. Provide them with appropriate makeup and fingernail polish, all non-toxic and safe. Let them "do" one another. Let them soak cloths in hot water and lay them on their faces for a soothing experience before the makeovers. Favors-Each girl will take home her terra cotta pot with the flower inside. You might also assemble a little bag with seeds, a miniature garden chime, an herbal flavored trail size shampoo or body product, a little perfume sample, and other fine delicate things. Give each girl a shortbread square and a rose at the end of the party.  This sounds a bit much but actually it was cheap and easy. The location is what matters!