Disclaimer: I’m writing this from a fairly rural place in VT, so some of my activities will assume that my readers have access to forest or nature or outdoor space. I definitely acknowledge that not everyone does! At the bottom of my post I’ll write alternative plans for if your place is more urban.
What you’ll need for gathering pine needles:
*Scissors
*A small basket or collecting container
*Reliable knowledge of White Pine or a field guide for identifying the correct tree
*A little gift to leave (special rock, pinch of tea, a little piece of toast— it doesn’t need to be complicated)
Suggested supplies for the tea party itself (feel free to be creative):
*Teacups (I like to use real china or ceramic, but any cups will do! Use what you have and do what feels comfortable -you know your kids best)
*Honey
*Sliced apples with cinnamon
*Cloth napkins
*A small teapot for pouring the tea
*Soothing music
To begin, you’ll have to search out a White Pine tree.
Pinus Strobus, the White Pine, is pretty common in our part of VT. They have long, lovely needles (about 3-5inches long) that are full of Vit. C. Needles are in bundles of 5. I always remember it because W-H-I-T-E has 5 letters. 5 needles, 5 letters. Make sure to check more than one bundle, just in case some have dropped off.
When you’ve found your tree, it’s polite to introduce yourself first. You and your child can do this together! After introductions, you can ask (out loud or in your mind) if the tree would be wiling to share some of its needles. When I ask permission, I like to tell the plant/tree what I hope to do with the materials I’m requesting. I also like to leave a little gift. Lots of cultures have protocols of asking permission and leaving gifts when harvesting plants. I would encourage you to research what others do but then make your own little ritual, to avoid appropriating. You could even ask the tree what it would most like in return. I often leave a little precious rock or a pinch of a special tea blend.
Using your scissors, you can snip some needles off. Children often like this part because it feels like giving the tree a haircut. You don’t need much- a handful or two will do. And then put them in your basket and say thank you!
Bring your needles home and put them in water in a pot on the stove. You’ll simmer them on low for 10 minutes or so, being careful not to boil, as that could compromise the Vitamin C.
Let cool a bit and then add honey or a spoonful of jam.
While the tea is simmering, You can set up your tea party area. I like to put a blanket on the floor or table, and special plates, fancy teacups, and cloth napkins if you have them, and I invite the kids to help set up if they want to. I make a snack like sliced apples with cinnamon sprinkled on top.
For the tea party itself, I love using real teacups, the fancier the better. Even for kids as young as 2, although of course you need to monitor them with breakable things!
Before we all sit down, we wash our hands properly!!!!
I like to put the tea in a small teapot if I have it, and let the kids practice pouring the tea slowly and carefully. I sometimes help support the teapot depending on their age.
SOME THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TEA PARTIES
*It’s important to keep your pinky outstretched when you are drinking fancy tea!
*Sometimes it’s fun to say proper things like; “Oh thank you very much kind madame, what a lovely tea party we’re having”.
*Soothing music makes the tea taste better
*Spills might happen! I usually just say “spills happen”, offer the child a cloth to clean up the spill, and move on with the party. If spills are happening on purpose, that’s probably a good clue that the tea party is over!
It’s all about fun- no need to be rigid, or push it if your kids don’t want to stick around for too long.
Bonus: You and your young ones will be getting extra Vitamin C and hydration!
If you don’t have an outdoor space or a White Pine tree nearby, you can use the tea you have in your cupboard and ask and thank the plants that are in the box! Peppermint is a crowd pleaser, and catnip is great for kids if you have it!
You could invite your houseplants to join you at the tea party and include them in your proper conversations. The main thing is the ritual and pageantry of it, and there isn’t just one way to make it fun.
Make sure it’s PROPER AND FANCY!
**Please Note: Don’t make tea out of anything you can’t 100% identify. There are a small handful of evergreens (like Yew) that are toxic. Also, don’t drink if you are pregnant or nursing.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s activity!