Playskool Magix Tea Party is a fun and interactive toy that allows children to have their own tea party right at home. The set includes a magic teapot, cups, saucers, and other accessories needed to host a delightful gathering. One of the main features of Playskool Magix Tea Party is the magic teapot. When children pour imaginary tea into the cups, the teapot "magically" recognizes the action and produces different sounds and phrases. This not only adds a touch of realism to the play experience but also enhances the imaginative play aspect of the toy. In addition to the teapot, the set includes cups and saucers that can be used to serve the imaginary tea.
In Dutch, these valiant (and often violent) privateers were known as the Watergeuzen. (This is not a great college nickname—it’s too difficult to pronounce for those of us who don’t speak Dutch). In English, that term translates to “Sea Beggars.”
In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the Calvinists of the various provinces of the Netherlands joined to fight for their independence from their Spanish Catholic overlords. Even though the Ram appeared in an illustrated format in 1918, its true heyday began in 1925 when the first living ram, Ramses I, was borrowed from a nearby farm by a group of Fordham students.
In addition to the teapot, the set includes cups and saucers that can be used to serve the imaginary tea. Each cup and saucer has a unique design, which adds to the overall appeal of the tea party. The accessories also encourage children to engage in pretend play, where they can take on different roles such as the host or the guest.
The Sea Beggar
In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the Calvinists of the various provinces of the Netherlands joined to fight for their independence from their Spanish Catholic overlords. Spain had a particularly formidable navy at the time—the Spanish Armada. Despite the strength of the Spanish navy, intrepid Dutch mariners took to the seas as pirates against the Spanish fleet. They harried the Spanish, capturing a number of silver galleons (often celebrated in Dutch folks songs) and winning important sea battles that contributed to the independence of the Dutch Republic (perhaps most famously, the liberation of the port city of Brill).
In Dutch, these valiant (and often violent) privateers were known as the Watergeuzen. (This is not a great college nickname—it’s too difficult to pronounce for those of us who don’t speak Dutch). In English, that term translates to “Sea Beggars.”
Many of Providence’s founders are Calvinists of Dutch extraction, as are many of our students, and so it seems appropriate that our nickname would reflect something of our Dutch Calvinist heritage. And like the Sea Beggars of history, Providence’s students are brave – and willing to work against the odds for something they believe in. Not lost on us, either, is the wonderful theological connotation of our nickname. Martin Luther’s last recorded words were Wir sind Bettler. Hoc est verum. “We are beggars; this is true.”
And so, for all of these reasons—and also because we like the idea of having a nickname that is our very own—we are the Sea Beggars.
Folk Inspiration
One of the Sea Beggars fighting for Dutch independence against Spain was the naval officer Piet Hein (November 25, 1577 – June 18, 1629). This folk hero, along with Beggars such as William II de la Marck, is one of the inspirations behind the image of the Providence mascot. Hein was a sea captain’s son, and a lifelong sailor with a rocky career. When he was young, his ship was captured by the Spanish Armada, and he served several years in a galley before being released. After several other adventures, he joined the Dutch West India Company as a vice-admiral, leading attacks on Portuguese and Spanish ports in South America and the Caribbean. His greatest success was capturing a Spanish treasure fleet full of gold and silver, though he readily admitted that due to the circumstances there was very little risk. He died as the de facto supreme commander of the Dutch naval forces after being struck by a cannonball during a tremendous sea battle.
The Dutch people memorialized Piet Hein in verse:
Piet Hein, Piet Hein,
Your name will always shine
In your little ships so neat.
You beat the silver fleet,
The mighty silver fleet from Spain.
On College Nicknames
Some might wonder about the rationale behind choosing a college nickname. Here are some of the principles that guided us in our decision.
The best college nicknames share two characteristics. First, they are linked to the institution’s history or heritage. Consider the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, certainly one of the better-known college sports nicknames. They are the Fighting Irish because the university historically drew many of its students (and athletes) from Irish Catholic communities. Or how about the North Carolina Tar Heels? Legend has it that North Carolinians are known as Tar Heels because of the tenacity demonstrated by troops from North Carolina during the Civil War.
In both these cases, the nickname has a special stickiness because it arises from the institution’s heritage. And both these cases illustrate well the second characteristic of the best college nicknames: they are unique. When you hear someone say “the Fighting Irish,” you know they are talking about Notre Dame. How many other colleges have that nickname? When you hear people say “the Tar Heels,” you know they are talking about North Carolina. The same goes for Cornhuskers, or Buckeyes (or Banana Slugs or Anteaters, for those of you who follow California college sports). When you hear someone say “the Tigers,” or “the Wildcats,” you know they are talking about … well, I think you get the point.
The best college sports nicknames are both tied to an institution’s heritage and unique.
Unique and perhaps even unusual nicknames are particularly appropriate to smaller institutions. Think about minor league baseball teams: the Carolina Mudcats, the Montgomery Biscuits, the Toledo Mud Hens, and the Lansing Lugnuts. The unusual nicknames of these teams add to their charm and appeal. (And it has to be acknowledged that some major league baseball teams have nicknames that would sound pretty unusual were they not so well known–Dodgers, Red Sox, etc.) Likewise, some small colleges have distinctive athletic nicknames that help them stand out. The Pomona College Sagehens. The Whittier College Poets. Trinity Christian College students are the Trolls. (For ESPN’s top ten list of the best college nicknames, see this article: Off to College: What Name’s Got Game?)
One of our favorites, Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, is the Blue Hose. Here is a nickname that meets all of the criteria of greatness. It is tied to the college’s history: Presbyterian was established by Presbyterians in the mill town of Clinton. Blue, the color of the Scottish flag, is associated with Presbyterianism, a distinctively Scottish brand of Protestant Christianity. Clinton, the mill town, used to excel in producing hosiery. And Presbyterian College’s early athletic teams often wore blue socks. Hence, the Presbyterian College Blue Hose (which, by the way, scores uniqueness points for having started out as “Stockings” but becoming “Hose” as opposed to “Sox”).
At Providence, we too have a nickname that bears all of the marks of greatness. It is tied to our heritage. It is unique. And hence it is particularly appropriate to us as a small college.
At Providence, we are the Sea Beggars.
Sea Beggars Rule!
Written by Lorissa Haveman, Class of 2015
Avast, ye mateys! Gather round the mast!
To tell ye a tale, and tell it fast!
To sail with ye back in time,
Before the Beggars, before Piet Hein.
All of ye buried in books are learning,
But in the 1600s, a war was churning!
The Spanish were trying to expand –
Trying to take this to the Netherland!
Soon all of the Dutch were under the grip
Of a Spanish King whose name was Philip!
His Armada was formidable
But the Dutch were not hospitable.
And much to Spain’s Catholic consternation
Many Dutch had joined the Reformation!
William of Orange, known for his silence
Thought, “This can only be solved with violence!”
(Oh, and by the way, another fact for you:
He also inspired the orange and blue!)
The Dutch were fighting to be free
And William of Orange cried, “Take to the sea!”
So from small and large Dutch provinces
Came intrepid sea-faring Calvinists!
They approached the Armada where it floated
And captured the Spaniards with silver loaded.
The Beggars won more battles on land and sea
That finally gave the Dutch their liberty!
Playskool Magix Tea Party is designed for children aged 2 and above, making it suitable for toddlers and preschoolers. The toy promotes creativity and social interaction among children, as they learn to share and take turns during the tea party. It also helps develop fine motor skills as children pour the tea and handle the accessories. The toy is made from durable and child-friendly materials, ensuring that it can withstand rough play and last for a long time. The bright colors and attractive design of the set make it visually appealing and engaging for young children. Overall, Playskool Magix Tea Party provides a wonderful opportunity for children to engage in imaginative play and host their own tea parties. It promotes social skills, creativity, and fine motor development in a fun and interactive way. Whether playing alone or with friends, children are sure to have a delightful time with this magical tea party set..
Reviews for "Why Playskool Magix Tea Party is the perfect gift for any occasion"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - The Playskool magix tea party set was a huge disappointment. The tea cups were flimsy and easily tipped over, causing spills and frustration. The tea pot didn't pour properly and leaked everywhere. The "magic" aspect of the set was also a letdown, as the stickers would not stick properly on the tea cups. Overall, the quality of this toy was poor and did not meet my expectations.
2. Robert - 1/5 stars - The Playskool magix tea party set was a complete waste of money. The plastic used in the construction of this toy felt cheap and easily broke. The tea cups were too small, making it difficult for my child to hold them properly and pour tea. Additionally, the design and colors of the set were unappealing and did not capture my child's attention. I would not recommend this toy to anyone looking for a fun and engaging tea party experience.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - My daughter received the Playskool magix tea party set as a gift, and I have to say, it was not worth the retail price. The tea cups easily cracked when dropped, and the tea pot did not function as expected. The "magic" stickers included in the set did not adhere well to the plastic, making it difficult for my child to create the pretend tea party she had imagined. Overall, I was disappointed with the quality and design of this toy.