Japanese Tea Party

Throw a fun Japanese Tea Party for that special little gal!

Japanese Birthday Party

I tried very hard to keep to my word, but I failed! I told my daughter we would try the ‘every other year’ birthday party plan and I was well on my way to following through, when this one centerpiece broke all commitment and landed another party idea!

I just had to put it to good use, and so I did with a Japanese Tea Party theme.

I was searching the web for simple Japanese food recipes when I came across an article in Parent’s Magazine for a fun kids’s Japanese Tea Party. They inspired me to plan my own and since I already had my versatile centerpiece that I used for two previous parties, my Asian Themed Party and A Baby Blessing, why not go for it and make 3 the charm!

I knew I didn’t want to go out and buy more party gear. My intentions were to keep it super simple and use what I already had on hand. Well, I’m proud to say, I at least kept my word on this.

Here’s my set up.

Centerpiece

Once again my centerpiece came to my rescue! My third party in less than a month. A single tree branch decorated with pink tissue paper blossoms created that perfect Japanese feel.

All I did for this third party was add a different color to coordinate…A pretty turquoise blue.

Asian Style Seating

When you give a child a card board box, their imagination runs wild. Well, I did the same. My simple box became the perfect table height for my Asian style seating.

See, it’s just a cardboard box!

I used pillows covered in material for comfy floor seating.

Tea Time

We started our party out by chit chatting with tea time and tea cakes!

While at the Asian store shopping for my previous Asian themed party, I bought a box of these chocolate strawberry covered cookie sticks. When I brought them out for Caitlyn’s party, my intentions were to just throw them in a cup for the kids to eat but I changed my mind right before the party and made them yummy chopsticks.

Tea Cakes

I stuck with my SIMPLE intentions and made an easy cake box sheet cake, frosted and designed with a cherry tree blossom branch. I cut it into small squares and placed on a cupcake liner for each guest.

Time for Fun

When I think the party planning is done, my daughter asks, “What games are we going to play?” Here are a few activities we had fun with!

DIY Kimono

Once again Parent’s Magazine inspired me to make my own kimono. I ran out to our local thrift store and bought a $2.00 pink twin bed sheet.

I followed the directions and look how cute it made the birthday girl!

My little Geisha gal!

Geisha Dress-up

I thought it would be fun to dress each guest up for a Geisha Photo Shoot!

I’m so glad it all turned out for the birthday girl. She loved it!

Origami

This was a challenge for me…the morning right before the party. When I say I’m done adding to a party the day of, I know I’m in for it when my mind begins to race with last minute ideas. I tried an easy lotus origami flower and for an amature I think they turned out pretty cute!

Now this scrapbook Geisha wouldn’t be considered origami but I had fun putting her together with some leftover scapbook paper I had on hand.

My oldest niece, Isabelle, led the crowd in an origami lesson. Simple, but super cute and easy!

Lunch Menu

With all of our activities I decided to turn our tea party into a lunch with a few easy dishes to fill those growling tummies.

Rice, Noodles, and Veggies

Though I love trying new recipes, I was most positive these three simple dishes would satisfy the kids.

Drumettes

One of my new recipes were these super cute chicken pops! A finger food I was sure the kids would like.

10 chicken wings

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder

Vegetable oil for frying

1/2 cup flour

1 egg

3 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cut chicken wings at joint to make 2 pieces. You can reserve the tip to make a chicken broth. Cut skin and meat loose from the narrow end of the bone. Push meat and skin down to large end of bone. Pull skina nd meat down over end of bone to form a ball. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, the sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, the soy sauce and five spice powder and sprinkle over chicken drum sticks. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Heat oil in a deep fryer. Mix the flour, water, egg, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, the baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Dip ball end of each drumette into batter. Fry for about 5 minutes or until golden brown turning a few times. Drain on paper towel and serve with a chili sauce or sweet and sour sauce.

Sushi

Now Caitlyn isn’t a fan of sushi, but I am and so are her cousins. I’m a California girl, so Califonia rolls was the only selection of sushi for the day. I’m still a little hesitant on trying raw fish at home! All you need is imitation crab meat, sticky rice, an avocado, and cucumber sliced and some seaweed wrappers. Just Spread, Roll, and Slice!

Apple Pie Eggrolls

After my Asian themed party I had a few more egg roll wrappers to play with! All you need is your favorite store bought or homemade apple pie filling. Fill your wrappers with about 2 tablespoons of filling and wrap and fry. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Here’s my simple Apple Pie Filling

In a medium size pot, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add 3 cups apples, peeled, cored and diced, 1/4 cup brown sugar adn 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cook over medium heat, stirring often until apples are tender. Pour into a bowl and refrigerate to cool for about 30 minutes.

The kids loved them!

What a way to end our party!

My niece, Abby, got this as her fortune and I had to share. What a great way to end our day!

Happy Planning