Setup

• 1). Place a table and chairs in the chosen party location. In the cooler spring months, set up the party in the living room, dining room, playroom or your daughter's room. During the warmer months, set up the party in a garden or at the park to enjoy the outdoor spring flowers.
  
  
• 2). Cover the table with a tablecloth. Use an existing tablecloth or purchase a new one. Set the table with tea supplies. Set the table with two snack plates, two saucers, two teacups, two napkins and two sets of silverware. Place a sugar bowl and cream pitcher on the table, as well. Fill a teapot with hot tea and place it on the table.
  
  
• 3). Make cucumber sandwiches and place them on a serving platter. Cucumber season begins in spring, making them a good seasonal sandwich choice. Place a second serving platter on the table, filled with tea cakes or cookies from your local bakery. Or, use the flavors of the season and serve strawberry pies or lemon tarts.
  
  

Tea

• 1). Fill a stovetop teapot with cold water. Place the pot on the stove and heat it over medium-high heat.
  
  
• 2). Bring the water to a boil. Pour a 1/4 cup of the boiling water in the serving teapot. Swirl it around and dump the water out. This heats the pot to keep it warmer longer.
  
  
• 3). Place 4 tsp. loose tea into the warmed teapot. Pour 2 cups of boiling water onto the loose tea. Let it steep for 3 to 4 minutes before serving.
  
  

Cucumber Sandwiches

• 1). Prepare a quarter of seedless cucumber by first peeling it with a vegetable peeler. Then, using a mandolin or knife, slice the cucumbers into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Put the sliced cucumbers on a paper towel. Place a second paper towel on top and press lightly to remove the surface moisture. Set the slices aside.
  
  
• 2). Mix together 1/2-cup softened butter and 1/2-cup chopped watercress leaves in a medium bowl using a spoon.
  
  
• 3). Spread an eighth watercress mixture onto a piece of bread. Place an eighth of the cucumbers on top of the watercress. Sprinkle the cucumbers with salt to taste. Place 1 tbsp. alfalfa sprouts onto the cucumbers. Top the sandwich with a second slice of bread. Repeat to make the desired number of sandwiches.
  
  
• 4). Cut the crust off the sandwiches. Cut the sandwiches into four triangles each.