My Miss I went to a high tea party a couple of weeks ago and it was fantastic. She loved it so much that she and Miss E are having a combined one for their birthdays in May too. It was 1.5 hours duration and the kids played pin the tail on the donkey (handle on the teacup actually), did a treasure hunt, pass the parcel and decorated a cookie. This party was out at a rose nursery with a café attached, but I'm going to have my girls' at home. We'll do the same sort of activities, although maybe decorate cupcakes rather than cookies. They are inviting three friends each, plus there will be the sibling of one of DD1's classmates. Miss E is inviting a boy in there so that should be interesting! One of the school mums has a website and she has some great tea party decorations, plates, cups etc as well as treat/lolly boxes and fillers etc

The parties that we've been too recently for DD1 and DD2 are slowly changing in that some parents are now leaving their kids. The majority however are staying - mostly I think because the kids are occupied so the mums have a chance to sit, have a coffee and a chat.