Dear Heloise: After reading the suggestion about gifting a child’s tea set to a grandmother with a new granddaughter, I just had to say that any grandchild would love tea parties! I started tea parties with my granddaughter, but the boys felt very excluded (which they were at first).

Now I do tea parties with all the kids and have finger foods (cut fruits, veggies, tiny cookies and tea sandwiches). Manners are exaggerated. For example: “Sister, would you care for tea?” There are lots of “please’s” and “thank you’s.” They take turns pouring and serving. We use water in the teapot, and I have a special tea quilt that soaks up spills so that there’s never any worries about accidents. I love your hints! — Gladys, via email

HOUSEHOLD GLOVES

Dear Heloise: I use inexpensive yellow household cl

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