How do you plan a tea party?!
Answers: details please
The traditional English tea party involved sipping tea from fancy teacups, munching on scones and little bite sized sandwiches. Times have changed but the tradition can be made very simple. This is what I do and my guests are always happy.
(1) Set out a variety of teas (bags). Nowadays, there are so many that you could literally go crazy. There's green tea, peppermint, raspberry, orange, hibiscus, ginger, the list goes on.....However, be sure to have old fashioned orange pekoe or black tea. Tetley tea, Lipton Tea are good choices. Provide at last one brand that is decaffeinated. The old fashioned way is to use loose tea (rather than use tea bags) and brew the tea in a kettle or covered pot on the stove top. Strain the tea sediment before you pour the tea into a China or ceramic teapot and place it on the able to serve to your guests.
(2) Although it's a "tea party," I usually make coffee for those who prefer it to tea. You can use a gourmet type coffee like Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. Set out sugar as well as some sugar substitute. Provide some half and half, plain vitamin D milk, skim milk and a non-dairy creamer, using your best crystal and china.. If you want to go the extra mile, provide some Kahlua, Amaretto, or Baileys Irish Cream, to pour into the coffee, and top it off with some whipped cream.
(3) Provide a tray of finger sandwiches. You can make almost any type of sandwich as long as they are bite size and easy to chew without looking piggish.
(4) Provide a tray with a variety of pastries, chocolates and cookies. All of this can be purchased in a supermarket. It's your presentation that will make it remarkable. Set out the items on a 3 tiered server if you have one. If not, crystal/glass or porcelain serving dishes would do. Lay a cloth napkin or doily on the plate before you place the items on it. Be sure to use very pretty napkins, preferably linen but paper may be substituted if necessary.
(5) To serve your guests, fine China is always most desirable but those small glass plates from the dollar store will make a good substitute if you run short of plates. USE TEACUPS IN SAUCERS to serve the tea. Don't just plop down the cups on the table. Don't use those big mugs. They look too crude for a tea party. Dainty is the word to remember.
(6) Cover the table with a nice tablecloth. Place a vase of fresh cut flowers in the center of table. If you wish, play some soft music in the background but make sure your guests can hear themselves speaking. Classical music works well but for a more modern spin, play contemporary music. I'd recommend Chrisete Michele or Corrine Bailey Rae's CD.
A tea party should be relaxing and fun. Keep things simple and have a good time with your friends.
You set the table, Get all of your stuffed animals together and have imaginary tea Right?
You have a nice tea set and a variety of teas ready to go. Ask guests to bring fun finger foods so you don't have to do all the work.
Go to this site... http://www.theteapartyclub.com/
it has everything you need to know and if you live in los angeles, i suggest getting tea from urth caffe and if not coffee bean and tea leaf has a good selection as well. i prefer using lose leaf and a good coffee press is the best way to prepare it. you can purchase those at the tea shops or starbucks.
also serve tea cookies and sandwiches. you can find some recipes here... http://entertaining.about.com/od/teasand...
have fun!
