What the adults enjoyed: relaxing after running around all over town earlier that morning.

What my daughter enjoyed: the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and live piano music. She also heavily approved of the fruit filled scones smothered in Devon cream on the adult tea platter. She is, after all, a Devon girl at heart.

She also liked grabbing up all the silverware, and making wild grabs towards anything breakable. She may have also hidden a few goodies in the sofa cushions. What she didn't care for was my attempts to put her on Santa's lap for a photograph.Admittedly, her first meeting with the Big Man from the North Pole, didn't go that well.

But for the other children around, Santa Claus was the highlight of the afternoon. And Santa Claus took Stephanie's loud rejection with the traditional belly laugh.

The event wasn't really something appropriate for a small child, or really any child under five. Hot tea and toddlers just don't mix, but admittedly, the adults could always skip the tea.

The older children around seemed to be having fun. One family situated by the window overlooking the koi pond sang 'Jingle Bells'. A little boy sidled up to the piano player and demanded to know where Santa's sleigh was parked.

On the menu for the children were peanut butter and jelly white-bread pinwheels, roasted tom turkey sandwiches with cranberry mayonnaise on whole-wheat triangles, fresh-fruit skewer with yogurt dipper, Christmas-tree cookies, gingerbread man with candy cane, Smarties cupcake, chocolate milk eggnog or choice of soda.

Our grown-up tea included a choice of high quality teas, scones, sandwiches and sweet treats your dietitian would not approve. They were all delicious.

Children are asked to bring a teddy bear which is given to charities which help needy children and families in Bermuda. People without a teddy can make a financial donation instead.

An added feature of the tea, is that on Sundays at 2.30 p.m., there is a children's etiquette class led by Bermudian manners expert Trudy Snaith.

The special tea is served daily between 2.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Santa Claus makes a special appearance on weekends at 3.30 p.m. to read to the children.

The Teddy Bear Tea is $19 for children under 12 who donate a new teddy bear or $25 for children without teddy bears.

The Sunday tea and etiquette class is $35 for children. Adults attending the Teddy Bear Tea are $35. Reservations are required and can be made through the hotel's concierge on 295-3000, ext 5779.

Locals who wish to create a special family event may also include an overnight stay at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

The Teddy Bear Tea Package includes Fairmont accommodations, afternoon tea at The Heritage Court and a Fairmont Teddy Bear to take home.

This package is available from December 1 through 21, 2008. Call Fairmont Hamilton's reservations at 295-3000, ext. 5717.