how do you plan a perfect tea party

How do you plan a perfect tea party?

• Select a date and send out your invitations.
• Purchase your tea and related accessories You'll want to have several teapots to brew a variety of teas for your guests.
• Review recipes for tea time sandwiches and treats.
• Plan your menu.
• Brew and serve a proper pot of tea.

Full Answer

How do you start a Tea Party?

She provides the teacups, pots, tear trays, and sets up from start to finish. She recommends including sandwiches, scones, desserts, and tea. Lee poured her most popular raspberry hibiscus herbal tea into the pink heart-shaped teacups. The hosts were impressed with the flavor and dainty cups. She also taught about the 3 courses of British tea.

What is the real agenda of the Tea Party?

The most notable Tea Party initiative on the local level has been its campaign against Agenda 21, a United Nations-sponsored push to promote environmental regulation at the city and county level, supposedly to stop global warming. As you can imagine, this hits two of the big hot buttons for the base of the right: the UN and global warming.

How to plan a memorable Mommy and Me Tea Party?

Planning a Mommy and Me Tea Party

• Ideas for a Mommy and Me Tea Party. Usually, simple is better, easier and more elegant. ...
• Simple Mommy and Me Tea Party Themes. Here are three tea themes perfect for moms and daughters of all ages. ...
• Brewing Tea for a Tea Party at Home. And just how does one brew a perfect pot of tea? ...

How to prepare a Tea Party for a crowd?

Tea Party Planning: How to Make Party Sandwiches Ahead of Time

• Determine Quantity. Prior to making your sandwiches, you’ll need to think about how many you want to make and what varieties.
• Consider the Weather. When making party sandwiches ahead, keep in mind the weather and conditions your sandwiches might be exposed to.
• Sandwich Construction. ...
• Presentation. ...
• Keeping It Fresh. ...

How do you throw an amazing tea party?

1:092:253 Tips to Help You Throw the Perfect Tea Party - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe true way to taste chocolate is to pair it with tea rather than wine or beer or coffee. BecauseMoreThe true way to taste chocolate is to pair it with tea rather than wine or beer or coffee. Because tea isn't overwhelming on your palate. So it makes a good cleanser.

What do you need for a good tea party?

You will need a teapot, cups, and saucers in order to serve tea to your guests. Buy a tea strainer and use a small dish to collect used tea leaves. You can also serve a pitcher of milk, lemon slices, honey and sugar. Make sure you have enough small plates, napkins, and utensils if you are serving food.

What activities do you do at a tea party?

Top 10 tea party gamesTeacup Treasure Hunt. Paper teacups make great decorations for a tea party, but they can also be used for games. ... Tea Bag Toss. ... Tea Leaf Pictionary. ... Guess How Much (tea party style) ... Sugar Cube Stack. ... Pinko. ... Tea Tray Memory Game. ... Hot Teacup.More items...•

What is usually at a tea party?

The spread. There aren't any rules when it comes to the food, but a standard afternoon tea comprises a tier of sandwiches, a tier of cakes and one of scones or teacakes. However, you could also throw in pastries, petits-fours or biscuits.

What food do you serve at a tea party?

In addition to finger sandwiches, some tea party menus include other savories, such as savory scones, soups, quiches or lighter savory snacks, like seasoned nuts or cheese and crackers. If you are throwing a themed tea party, careful selection of other savories can help add to your theme.

How long should a tea party last?

around two to three hoursIdeally, your tea party should last around two to three hours, but this variable will ultimately depend on the type of crowd you've invited. Children may want to stay a bit longer, but an event that's too long can lead to a tantrum or two.

What do ladies do at a tea party?

Along with purchasing several flavors of teas and making some finger foods, organize some games to help make your guests feel at ease and keep the conversation rolling. Board games, croquet, cards and badminton are fine ideas for a ladies' tea party, but you can also plan some games they may have never played before.

How do you throw an adult tea party?

0:212:37How to Throw an Epic Tea Party by Lauren Conrad - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhen you're making tea blends for an event you effin utley want to keep the season in mind in theMoreWhen you're making tea blends for an event you effin utley want to keep the season in mind in the summer you're probably going to gravitate towards more citrus based flavors.

What kind of cream do you serve with tea?

Clotted Cream, customary for afternoon tea (or cream tea) is a thick, unsweetened cream that comes from the best Devon cows served on English scones.

How many sandwiches do I allow per person for afternoon tea?

3-4 sandwichesTEA-TIME TIPS Allow 3-4 sandwiches per person. But don't prepare them too early as they will either go soggy or dry out.

What happens at tea parties?

Originally, in a tea party, loose leaf tea was provided in a teapot along with milk and sugar. Variety of food including sandwiches, scones, cakes, pastries and biscuits were served alongside tea in a tiered arrangement. Food served in tea parties was according to a particular season.

What kind of tea do you serve at a tea party?

Ceylon teas include white, green, oolong and black varieties, but Ceylon black teas are the most popular choice for afternoon tea. Famous black teas from Sri Lanka (formerly known as "Ceylon") include: Orange Pekoe, which does not taste like oranges, and is actually a tea grade made in India and Sri Lanka.

What to think about when planning a tea party?

Think about color and texture when you plan your tea party menu. Carefully selected colors can relate to a tea party theme, the current season or other concepts, or they can simply be another way to make your tea party menu enjoyable for your guests. Similarly, a variety of textures adds to the enjoyment of the foods you serve.

What are some good tea party foods?

Scones are one of the most popular foods for tea party menus. They can be sweet or savory, and complex or plain. From basic buttermilk scones, savory cheddar mustard scones, sweet cinnamon scones; there are scone recipes for any style of tea party. If you're planning a tea party menu for girls, ...

What kind of sweets are served at a tea party?

Other sweets (besides sweet scones) are often served with full tea or light tea. Common types of sweets found on tea party menus include various types of sponge cakes, Madeleines, cupcakes (which are ideal for kids' tea parties) and trifles. Be careful not to have too much overlap in the types of sweets you serve.

What to serve with tea party scones?

If you're planning a tea party menu for girls, consider serving raspberry scones, which are naturally pink when you mash the raspberries a bit as you stir and knead the dough. Be sure to pair your scones with appropriate scones toppings or spreads, such as Devonshire cream, clotted cream or lemon curd .

What can you add to tea?

Milk and Condiments. Milk, sugar, and lemon are optional ingredients that your guests can add to their own tea. Depending on the type or types of tea on your tea party menu, you might want to offer milk, sugar, and lemon or only one or two additives. (Although some Americans like to add cream to their tea, this is not traditional in England.

What are some seasonal ingredients for tea?

Seasonal ingredients can add flavor and color to your tea party menu. Consider using fresh fruit, herbs, and edible flowers to enliven your menu. One example of seasonal ingredients as a focus for an afternoon tea menu is strawberry tea, a type of afternoon tea menu that includes fresh strawberries.

How to make a tea party at home?

Plan your menu. Include both savory and sweet food. Brew and serve a proper pot of tea. Accompany the tea selections with cream, sugar, and lemon slices to accommodate the varied tastes of your guests. Relax and enjoy your guests while musing on the merits of tea.

What is an afternoon tea party?

An afternoon tea party is suitable for many celebrations. When you'd like to host a party that isn't as involved as a dinner party, a tea party can be the answer. It's an ideal format for a baby or bridal shower, Boxing Day gathering, a retirement party, a birthday celebration, or time to catch up with good friends.

When is tea time?

As the custom has evolved, tea time is usually scheduled from mid to late afternoon. It's a between-meal snack that is a lot more elegant than a bag of chips from the vending machine. It needn't be extremely fussy, although the meal often includes savory, bite-sized sandwiches, scones or biscuits, and sweets (accompanied by a good pot of tea, of course!). Both men and women enjoy afternoon tea in England, and it's often used as a function for entertaining business clients.

Why is afternoon tea considered an elegant affair?

You're right because as the tradition of "afternoon" tea has developed over time, it has become an elegant affair. You're wrong because "high" tea was often enjoyed by the British working class as their evening supper, with heartier fare than the tea sandwiches and scones that are now associated with tea parties.

How to decorate a tea party?

Decorate the sitting area. Once you’ve settled on an area to use for your tea party, begin decorating to make the space more festive. You can hang streamers, put out flowers and other greenery or break out the fine china that you’ve been saving for a special occasion.

What to do if you have a tea party indoors?

If you’re holding a tea party indoors, make sure the blinds are open and the windows are up to let in the afternoon sunshine.

What is tea party?

Traditionally, tea parties have served as a way to bring old friends together or entertain new guests in a delightful, elegant setting. Today, they are more informal social gatherings and make great events for the early spring and summer seasons. If you’re getting ready to throw your first tea party, make sure to invite your guests early, ...

What is the best time to have a tea party?

Weekend afternoons are great for tea parties, as most people are off from work and looking for leisurely activities. A tea party in the afternoon will also serve nicely as midday refreshment. Schedule the event around holidays and big events so that more of the invited guests will be free to attend.

How to set a table for afternoon tea?

Set the table. The dining table should be set prior to the arrival of your guests. Make the table presentable by first draping it in a table cloth—white or another light shade will work best for afternoon tea. Each place setting should consist of a plate for the foods you've prepared, a cup and saucer for tea in the upper right corner of each setting, linens and silverware to the left of the lunch plate, and all condiments, serving platters and other fixtures ranging the table above the place settings. You'll bring the tea and coffee in on a tray once it's time for it to be served, so save the center of the table for this purpose.

What to put on a checklist for a wedding?

Make a checklist of everything you think you’ll need so that you don’t forget anything important: place mats, linens, silver, tea cups, saucers, drinking glasses, plates, centerpiece decorations, candles, etc.

How to send out invitations?

Get creative with your invitations: rather than simply sending a plain card with the time and date, cut colorful cardstock into the shape of tea pots, or mail the invitations in floral envelopes with fragrant tea bags inside.

How to have a tea party?

If you want to include entertainment, here are some ideas: 1 Have someone tell the history of tea parties. 2 Have a hat contest with prizes for the prettiest, funniest, or most elegant hats. 3 Play tea-themed word games.

How to eat tea at a tea party?

When eating at a tea party, remember that this isn’t a meal designed to fill you up. Take small bites and enjoy the conversation. Sip the tea without gulping. If the tea is too hot to drink, don’t blow on it. Let it rest a few minutes so it can cool off before sipping again.

How to make tea stronger?

Most people prefer to start with the milk or cream and pour the tea on top of it. If someone at the table prefers weaker tea, pour theirs first. As you get to the bottom of the teapot, the tea will be stronger as it settles.

Why don't tea parties need special entertainment?

Most tea parties don’t need special entertainment because the conversation will keep guests busy. Have some conversation starters ready, in case they're needed. Everyone can mix and mingle as they sip their favorite teas.

What are the guest manners for a tea party?

Guest manners include: Always RSVP. Arrive on time. A hostess gift isn’t generally expected for a tea party, but if you choose to bring one, keep it simple. The hostess will appreciate some flavored loose tea, a new tea ball, or a candle. Wrap it or place it in a gift bag and hand it to her as soon as you arrive.

What to put on a finger food?

Finger food favorites include scones, muffins, cookies, tea sandwiches, and artisan bread. Break off a bite or two and put a small amount of butter on that. Never butter the entire muffin at once. If clotted cream is offered, that should be added to the scones after the jam.

What to do at an impromptu party?

For an impromptu party, all you need to do is pick up the phone to invite your guests, but your turnout probably won’t be as good as if you had planned it. You may ask guests to wear decorated hats and bring a favorite teacup. You might decide to have a contest and give a prize for the best hat or prettiest cup.

A British-style afternoon tea may sound like a posh affair, but it is neither difficult nor expensive to host a tea party fit for a queen, right in your own living room. Check out our top tea party ideas

A British-style afternoon tea may sound like a posh affair, but it is neither difficult nor expensive to host a tea party fit for a queen, right in your own living room. Check out our top tea party ideas.

Decide on a theme

Are you thinking Queen of Hearts of Queen Elizabeth? Either way, you’ll want to ensure your decorations and dress code match. If you want to really give your party the royal treatment, encourage guests to wear dresses and fascinator hats to channel their inner Duchess of Cambridge while serving up some of the queen’s favorite dishes.

Send invitations 2-4 weeks in advance

In addition to specifying time, date and location, it’s a good idea to ask that guests notify you of any dietary restrictions or allergies when they send their RSVP. We like these tea-themed invites from Etsy.

Master the art of the perfect fluffy scone

No tea would be complete without English scones served with an assortment of jams, butter and whipped cream. If you want to be really authentic, find a British specialty store that sells jars of clotted cream or make your own mock Devonshire cream.

Authentic British desserts will really take the cake

Kick things up a notch by preparing some authentic British pastries and cakes, like this raspberry Bakewell tart, sticky toffee pudding (which isn’t a pudding in the American sense, but rather a spice cake with warm caramel sauce) or a tasty trifle.

Learn to make the perfect cup of tea

Few tea party ideas are as important as tea! The secret to preparing a spot of tea that even the snobbiest Brit will love is a quality black tea blend and very hot water. We suggest a blend that includes Ceylon and/or Assam varieties. Whether loose or bagged, you can’t go wrong with a British brand like Twinings, Yorkshire Gold or PG Tips.

Complete the spread with delicate finger sandwiches

Though desserts are definitely the showstoppers of the tea, finger sandwiches play an essential role as well. Make sure to use thin slices of bread, trim the crusts and cut into triangles for more traditional teas.

Can you have a tea party without teapots?

You can’t have a tea party without teapots and tea cups. Well, you can, but it wouldn’t be the same. If you’re hosting the party at home, you will need to take this into consideration. Do you have enough crockery or do you need to buy more? Cake stands are also an important feature.

Do you intend to create a theme for your party?

Do you intend to create a theme for your party? If you do intend to come up with a theme, it is important to do this as soon as possible. The theme will impact on all your planning. It will affect everything from your invitations to your choice of decorations.