Is it too soon to plan a Christmas tea party?

So, a number of years ago, I hosted a little St. Nicholas Tea Party here at our house in VA, for all the Pearl gals who were six and up at the time (although I did adjust that for a granddaughter who was five but only months away from her birthday).  As much as I would have loved to have the littler Pearl women, too, I wanted it to be an in control, proper and elegant ladies' tea party--so no crazy (and adorable) toddler girls were included.  Just the "big girls" and the four daughters-in-law who lived near us.

It was so wonderful!  It really was. (I blogged about it here, in case you're interested in revisiting that post--or visiting it for the first time.)

It's been five years since that first St. Nicholas Tea Party, which I hoped would become an annual event here at Grammy's house, but somehow didn't. Life gets so busy, doesn't it?

Four of the granddaughters in the above photo, the oldest of our firstborn's seven kids, moved out to the Midwest not too long after that little holiday celebration.  But in the years since then, four of their wee girl cousins in VA have been growing up (way too fast!) and now fit the "six and up" age criteria.  I think that means that it's time for another tea party!  With the five granddaughters we have in the area, the three daughters-in-law, an old college friend of two of my girls (who has become like family), and myself, we would make a party of 12 and that sounds just about perfect to me.  I don't know what got me thinking about this six months in advance...but there you have it.  I'm already making plans.

Too soon?  (Don't answer that!)

I recently ordered a hardcover book for inspiration, and then like a crazy woman, I printed out some invitations that I made up on my computer.

The answer to "Is it too soon?" is obviously "YES!"  Because even though St. Nicholas Day actually falls on a Sunday this year and that seems like a perfect time to have such a party, I have no idea if people will be available.  As it gets closer, I imagine I will be making up new invitations!  (Fiddle-dee-dee.  I'll think about that tomorrow, as Scarlett O'Hara would say.)

I'm enjoying deciding which scones, tea sandwiches, and desserts I'm going to make, and how I'm going to set the table.  I've already decided that at each place, there will be a small framed picture of Jolly Old St. Nick, which will serve as both a table decoration and a party favor for each guest.

Okay, full disclosure, dear readers...I found an Etsy offering that I couldn't pass up, with about 30 downloadable vintage-style Santa images for under $3...and I had some of them printed at Walgreen's in wallet photo size, and then put them in some inexpensive frames found on Amazon.  Yes, I did this already.

Cute, right?

But I have a problem.  I admit it.   Party planning for family events is one of my favorite pastimes; but doing so this far ahead might be beyond the pale, even for me!

I'll be back in December to report on this tea party, if it indeed ever happens.  (Fingers crossed.)  In the meantime, I'll be thoroughly enjoy collecting ideas for how to make it the best ever!