I often wonder, what are other families’ rituals around the dinner table with little ones…? In our house, we take every manner of festive occasion seriously– and so do our kids. We plan dinners together, discuss at length what we’ll serve, how we’ll decorate, who will serve… For better or worse, our family operates by-committee + is loaded with colorful opinions + suggestions.
For these dinners, we serve our children Concord grape juice + sparkling apple juice disguised as ”baby wine” + “baby champagne.” They have even cherry-picked their way through my favorite collection of cordials and identified– with great pride– their own “baby wine glasses.” With these glasses, they stand up and make toasts to loved ones around the table. “Baby wine” is associated with celebration/ specialness/ time stopping. It makes appearances year-round.
I love that the ceremonies of the dinner table have meaning + purpose. I ask myself, why shouldn’t children have precious ceremonies of their own? Charming accoutrements of their own? Generosity of spirit is a learned behavior + the dinner table is the most fertile ground.
ANY THOUGHTS HERE?
We do our version of the Shirley Temple for special dinners and occasions. We call it a “Kiddie Cocktail”, orange juice, fresca with cherry juice and garnished with a cherry and a slice of orange with a festive straw. This is what my treat was at my grandparents home growing up and I am passing it on to my son
. He loves to offer it to his friends when they come over for a dinner party or celebration. Cheers!
Ooooh, I love that. I especially love the garnish. Thank u for sharing it!
Hi – I was fortunate to have the same experiences. However, when visiting others, children were often relegated to the ‘kids table.’ I suppose the reasoning was they would like that more. The kids did not like it. It caused unnecessary problems. All people learn by modeling behavior. The closer children are to the traditions of table, including beverages and toasting, the better. In boarding school in France wine was ubiquitous even for the so-called underaged. Development and tradition should not be determined by age. To the extent possible children must be full participants in the customer and traditions of the table. -j