Winnie-the-Pooh Tea

If you are at the stage of suffering from the winter blues or blahs why not celebrate a happy little January event? Why not pay homage and have fun celebrating Winnie-the-Pooh Day on January 18th!

Who doesn’t love that cute and cuddly little teddy bear? January 18th has been selected as the date because that is the birth date of the author who penned the Winnie-the-Pooh series. His name was A.A. Milne and he was born in London England in the year of 1882.

Then on the date of August 21, 1920 A.A. Milne had a son that he named Christopher Robin.
The following year baby Christopher Robin was given a one year old birthday party, and he was given a very expensive teddy bear that stood 18” high. This purchase was made at the very famous Harrod’s of London England. A.A. (Allen Alexander) Milne was very supportive of his new baby, and often sat and watched his new baby interact with the stuffed bear that was named Winnie. From his observations, he then went on to publish a story book!

Christopher Robin was the main character in all of his stories, along-side the comfy-fluffy and very adorable bear. The bear almost always gets into a small jam or two and just wants to be friends with everyone.

Pulling a quote from the A.A. Milne story, Pooh’s Little Instruction Book:
“a little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.”

So one can easily see that Pooh bear wanted to share everything except for his beloved (huny) honey! We can see that in several stories, Christopher Robin gathers his friends outdoors for a tea party under a canopy of trees. You may not have a 100 Acre Wood, but you could host a Winnie-the-Pooh Tea Party! This tea party can be for adults or for youngsters alike, but for the purpose of this article let’s focus on ideas for the children’s tea.

In the stories Pooh gets a little bit “rumbly in his tumbly” right around eleven o’clock in the morning everyday. He will set out to get his huny (honey), and somehow get in a jam and have to call upon his very different friends. So taken right off the page, host your child’s’ tea at 11:00 a.m.

Invite only his/hers play group (keep party numbers to how many Winnie-the-Pooh characters there are).
Have each child bring their own bear, or Winnie-the-Pooh if they have one.
When the children arrive, have them pick a name tag out of a large jar. These name tags will be in character names: owl, rabbit, Christopher robin, Tigger, Eeyore, and Roo.
Attach the name tags to double-sided tape, or just heavy-duty scotch tape. Set your table with festive and colorful wear. Use plates in different colors and napkins in vibrant colors. Use plastic cups, and silverware that you can find at party shops in the corresponding colors to your table service. Use your real tea pots to serve tea. The children will love that idea!

Lots of information is available on the Winnie-the-Pooh subject, print out coloring pages so the kids can be creative, and read a Winnie book. Take one out from local library. Play a Winnie video from the Disney Company. These are also rentable from the library as well! Playing musical chairs and pin the tail on the Eeyore are also fun, and low on the expense list!

For drinks make iced tea, or juice, but serve them from tea pots! The kids will love this too. For food suggestions, I have to include the idea of the very simple Pooh Sandwiches.
What you need to make Pooh Sandwiches:

2 slices of bread
Creamy peanut butter
Mini marshmallows

Simplest directions:
Apply the peanut butter to the bread first, and then top with mini marshmallows!
Cut them into little finger sandwiches. Offer honey candies, toast with honey or even honey in their tea!

The children will love this tea party that can easily transition into a birthday party as well.
Have fun and remember party giver/parents please do not give huny (honey) to babies or toddlers under the age of one year! This can be toxic.

From Pooh’s Little Instruction Book…"Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day." Winnie-the-Pooh. Have a great tea party with your kids to celebrate Winnie-the-Pooh Day January 18th!