The tea party tradition began in Britain in the 19th century.The image of formal tea service with polite or gossiping conversation has appeared all over popular culture thanks to the description of the Mad Hatter's madcap tea party.Everyone loves tea parties, so read on to find out how to host an event that suits you and your guests.
Step 1: Pick a budget and guest list.
A Tea Party can be memorable without being expensive or large.Determine how many people you can host in your home, and how much you want to spend.Having an amount in mind helps prevent you from spending more than you want to.Dinner parties are usually larger than tea parties.A total party of four to eight people can be achieved.
Step 2: Pick a dress code.
Even for casual tea parties, some hosts encourage their guests to dress up in semi-formal or mock-Victorian clothing to add to the atmosphere, but usually accept guests in any attire.Request a semi-formal summer dress if you are planning a formal affair.This usually means bright colored dresses and hats for women, slacks, button-down shirt, and blazer or suit jacket for men.
Step 3: Purchase pre-made invites.
You can use store-bought cards, make your own, or simply phone your guests.If your guests are close friends or live nearby, consider delivering a small bouquet of garden flowers with party details attached.If possible, give guests at least a week of notice.If you don't know how much the menu will cost, you may want to delay sending out invitations.If you need to save money on refreshments, you can reduce the number of guests.
Step 4: Let guests know that there are special considerations.
It's up to you if you allow smoking, pets, or young children.You should clearly communicate your decisions on the invitation.Let your guests know if you will serve a full meal or light refreshments.Advice is provided if you don't know what to provide.Some guests may be allergic to smoke or pets.You can ask smokers to step outside and keep pets in another room.
Step 5: You can choose attractive table decorations.
If you have a nice tablecloth and tea service, use it.Three-tiered cake stands are not mandatory.Small plates and teacups with floral patterns produce a good atmosphere, but don't feel like you have to match them unless you are entertaining formal guests or business contacts.Make sure you have a nice-looking kettle that can hold enough hot water for your guests.A vase of flowers is a centerpiece.A knife and spoon are on the right of each plate.Provide small spoons for stirring sugar and milk into the tea if you aren't serving food.
Step 6: You should have enough tea and tea related items.
You will need at least one black tea such as Earl Grey or Darjeeling, a small pitcher of milk or cream, and a container of sugar or sugar cubes.If you don't know how to brew loose leaf tea, you can provide guests with a teapot of boiling water and a selection of teabags.If you are hosting a large group of people, place these on either end of the table or on the side where you will be sitting or standing.Each guest will be asked how he would like his tea.Many people don't like how much sugar or milk they add, so follow their instructions.You can also provide honey and/or lemon slices.
Step 7: There are other drinks on hand.
Some people like coffee while others don't.Provide water at the minimum and give other drinks such as ginger beer or lemonade as well.At tea parties, alcohol is not typically served, but you can serve champagne or a light wine.
Step 8: Determine what type of food to serve.
Depending on the time of day, there are three traditional ways to provide food at a tea party.If you serve tea in the middle of the day, you can either serve an "afternoon tea" or a less formal "cream tea"."High teas" are teas that provide more substantial food, such as meat pies, quiche, or any filling, savory dishes, and are typically served during evening mealtimes.A salad and soup can be served before the main meal at formal high teas.It is completely acceptable to serve store-bought foods if you follow the links above.The term "high tea" is often used to refer to any type of tea.If you are invited to a tea party, do not expect a full meal, even if the name is used in the invitation.
Step 9: You can make tea sandwiches.
Tea sandwiches are not mandatory, but they are high on the list of what your guests will expect regardless of whether they have attended a tea before.The sandwiches are usually made with white bread and cut into triangles or squares.Cream cheese can be used as the only ingredient or added to sandwiches with vegetables or smoked salmon.The salad was created for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.Turkey has ham with or without cheese.
Step 10: The food needs to be arranged.
If you have a large party or a small table, you can arrange the food buffet-style and have the guests stand or sit in your living room or garden.If you have enough space, place the food in the center of the table, or divide it into multiple serving platter to make it easier for everyone to reach.If using a three-tiered tray and serving a traditional afternoon tea, the proper way to serve it is to place sandwiches on the middle of the top tray, as well as sweets such as small cakes or candies in the lower tray.
Step 11: You can choose a theme.
Imagine a traditional British tea party with fancy sandwiches and doilies.Maybe the guests want to dress up as princesses, pretend to be fairies, or decorate a room as though it were winter or underwater.You can make it more fun for guests by finding out what they are excited about.Some themes require more work than others.If you want a quick and simple theme, pick a single color and decorate a room or table with flowers, objects, napkins, and dishes in that color from around the house.
Step 12: Pick a location.
You could host a tea party in your garden if the weather is nice.Throwing a tea party indoors is fun and you can hang up decorations.
Step 13: You can invite guests.
If you invite your friends to your tea party, make sure to check with everyone in your house to see how many people you can bring over.Let your friends and family know when the tea party will be.You can plan a tea party weeks in advance with your brothers and sisters.Whatever makes you happy.Ask your friends to bring a toy.All-girl or all-boy tea parties aren't required.Invite anyone who makes you happy.
Step 14: Go dress up.
The best part of a tea party for some people is getting to dress up.If you don't have fancy clothes or costumes to put on, try making your own silly costumes by asking family members if you can wear their hat, makeup, or scarves.It's a good idea to keep a few extra objects around for guests who don't have a costume.The kid's favorite dress and a paper crown can be used for princess costumes.If you want to spend more time on costumes, you can use face paint, sew from patterns, or find pre-made costumes online.If you and the other kids and parents are planning on having a tea party, you should have each child pick a character from one of the popular books.
Step 15: You should have enough cups and plates.
You can host a tea party with any dishes, even if you don't have tea pots, teacups, or saucers.Make sure there is at least one plate and one cup for each person.If you only serve finger food, such as sandwiches and cookies, you can use silverware.
Step 16: The table or room should be decorated.
If you are holding a tea party indoors, you might want to hang up colorful cloths or flags, or put stuffed animals and art projects around the room.People can look at flowers at the center of a table or blanket.A faerie tea party can be held in a garden or park, using toys, flowers, and moss covered rocks to make a circle.If you are holding iced tea in the summer, make a winter wonderland theme with paper snowflakes, hanging white cloths and hot cocoa.
Step 17: To serve drinks, find some.
Black tea can make kids hyper or make it hard for them to sleep.There are lots of other teas such as lemon, rooibos, and peppermint.It's a good idea to serve lemonade, juice, or milk to people who don't like tea.If you don't know how to boil water on your own, ask an adult to help.If you don't want to serve hot drinks to your guests, put juice in a teapot.
Step 18: It's a good idea to make sandwiches.
To make a tea party sandwich, use cream cheese, cucumber, or butter.You can arrange them on a plate in a pyramid or other shapes if you have an adult help you.Use a cookie cutter to make sandwiches.It works best with squishy bread.
Step 19: Prepare dessert as well.
American cookies and British biscuits are great for finger food at a tea party.You can either make them yourself or buy them from a store.
Step 20: Determine if your guests need more food.
Some drinks and snacks are served at tea parties.If your guests will be staying during lunchtime or dinner, you might need to provide them with a bigger meal.Let your guests know if you'll be giving them a full meal or if they should eat at home.
Step 21: Determine what to do for entertainment.
Before the party starts, make a list of the games and activities you want to plan.You can make art projects, play games, or pretend to be English royalty.Make a garden, decorate with homemade pinwheels, or make a dessert for your guests if you want to.