The Doll Party

Please note: the following is to be read with a British accent.

Every year we host a kind of themed girl celebratory party. It started when I was a little girl with my cousins. Our mothers - aka "the sisters" - got to talking about how unfortunate that mothers and homemakers are looked at as so much less then they used to be...that we are losing the skills and things that we should have as mothers. So they decided to have a etiquette / skill development tea party with our dolls. (I think the purpose of the dolls was to help us mother our dollies.) So we grew up with these yearly doll parties where we would get a new dress-up dress and a matching one for our dolls, and come and learn painting, manners, cooking, stitching, dancing, and all things girly!

So now my mum and I have continued the tradition here in Texas. Last year our theme was the 1940's. The girls was sent an invitation that was in essence a call to the armed forces as army nurses! We drew the stocking lines up the back of their legs, made them and their dolls each a white apron with a red cross, an elbow-length red cape, and a white nurses cap with red cross. We painted their nails and lips bright red and fixed their hair. Then they were presented with white tin first aid kits. Next they attended three medical classes where they learned to splint their doll's legs, administer medication, wrap bandaging, and check heartbeats (their kits were full of all the supplies they needed for these classes in doll sized proportions, complete with stethoscope!) by completing these classes, they were certified as nurses and we had a presentation ceremony. It was a blast.

This year the theme was Jane Austin's Era: Pride and Prejudiced! The night before, everyone arrived and we watched the movie to get in the mood.

The next morning they went to breakfast at my aunt's who lives nearby. When they came back we welcomed them and ushered them into the beauty parlor where their new dresses were laid out on their chairs. Once they were dressed, we curled their hair and put ribbons so they hung down their backs, and put cucumbers on their eyes.

Then we opened the General Store!

There they received edible delicacies,

personalized parasols, (these were my favorite! we just glued silk flowers on them, and each one was different and frankly fabulous!)
petite versions of treats,
cake platters and doll cakes, (these were another favorite. Totally thrift, we glued plates to goblets and candle holders for fancy cake pedistals. Then the cakes are actually made from sponges glued in layers, then painted and decorated...soooo cute!)
vintage soaps sealed with wax,

and a vintage teacup and saucer for each girl. (sorry no pics! dang. we got them all thrift though, fabulous.) So, of course, we had tea and an etiquette classes. (Several of the girls were very concerned about drinking tea, but we assured them that is was not "that kind of tea" so not against the word of wisdom - it was apple cidar! It was clear that they would not have drunk if it had been, they were ready to refuse politely, and I was so proud that their mommies had taught them so well!)

We had a baking class where they made scones. The art class this year was using salt dough to make a tea set for their dolls, which they later painted to match their own. We had a pride n prejudiced dance (to music from the movie of course!) We just had a whole lot of fun!