If you want to take your child to tea at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, but worry that your child eats like a horse, literally, not to worry, the hotel has a plan.

Alongside the Second Annual Teddy Bear Tea the Hamilton Princess is also offering etiquette lessons from Trudy Snaith on Sunday afternoons at 2.30 p.m.

"A Christmas tea is a tremendous opportunity for children to learn about good behaviour and manners," said Mrs. Snaith, founder and director of Bermuda's Executive School of Protocol.

The class on Sundays will introduce young people to social skills appropriate for contemporary times. "This isn't a class focused on how to sip tea and eat cucumber sandwiches, but rather a chance to share with the children how a tea party or other event can be used to enjoy the company of other people and how good behaviour and manners can help them do that," added Mrs. Snaith.

The formal instruction will be brief followed by individual attention as Mrs. Snaith visits each child at his or her table to answer questions and give hints to help them remember what to do.

A special teddy bear, name Penelope's Bear, will also attend the Sunday etiquette classes at her very own tea table so children can have their pictures taken with her if they wish.

At the end of the tea, each child enrolled in the etiquette class will take home a souvenir booklet as a reminder of the event and the new things they have learned.

"We create a magical event for the children," said Rehanna Palumbo, sales director for The Fairmont Hamilton Princess. "When they come in, their faces light up when they see the Christmas tree, the gingerbread house and twinkling decorations that we have created especially for them. "The biggest thrill, as you can imagine, is on Saturday and Sunday when Santa arrives for storytelling. Some of them are so excited that they laugh all afternoon."

The Sunday tea and etiquette class is $35 for children.

Reservations are required and can be made through the hotel's concierge on 295-3000, ext 5779.