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Host A Tea Party In 5 Easy Steps!
Host a tea party is 5 easy steps! Don't let the idea of planning a tea party overwhelm you! Just follow these 5 easy steps and it will be a breeze!
1 - PREPARING THE TEA PARTY INVITATIONS:
When you host a Tea Party, the Invitations are your first and most important step to a successful party!
PICK A THEME: Pick a theme that goes with the occasion. For example: For a child's Birthday use "Miss Ladybug Tea Party" , A Baby Shower use a "Mommy & Me" theme. For a Bridal Shower a "Lavender and Lace Tea Party" , or if you are hostess to a Christian Ladies group use a ""Hospitali-Tea!" theme with a devotional on Hospitality, etc. If you don't have a particular occasion to celebrate and you just want to host a tea party it's a great opportunity to get together with friends and family, a group of lady friends from church, or maybe with someone you haven't seen in awhile. TO PURCHASE OR CREATE? There are many beautiful preprinted Tea Party Invitations available. Be sure the one you pick reflects the theme and the occasion. You may want to prepare (craft) your own invitations. With all the beautiful scrap booking embellishments and stamping art that is available now just think of all the beautiful tea party invitations you could make! Making your own invitations is especially fun for children. Get them involved, they can glue, cut, stamp,etc. I will be offering more ideas on "Tea Party Invitations" with patterns and instructions so you can construct your own personalized invitations.
DATE & TIME: Keep in mind the schedules your guests have. Such as work, church functions, children in school, etc. This will help you pick the date and time.
PLACE: Where shall you have your tea party? Will this be a small intimate gathering? If so, you could have a beautiful garden tea or around your dinning room table. If you do not have a dinning room, set up buffet style and let your guests gather in the living room. Or gather on the porch (if large enough). Some of the best tea parties I've been to were small and intimate! Will this be for a larger group? As for a reception or a large bridal shower? If your house or garden is large enough - great! If not, perhaps you would like to consider renting a hall, a club house, or your church? If this is the case, inquire as soon as possible about the dares and times it would be available. Now Don't Get Nervous! Just start out small, taking one step at a time. You'll be a "Tea Party Queen" in no time!! ADDRESS & MAIL You may want to address your envelopes in "Calligraphy-Style" hand writing. This is an inexpensive way to add a touch of elegance! Craft stores offer pens with the correct "Slant" to them and even books on the subject. This is not a must, but it is a nice touch. Prepare the invitation and mail them out at least 2 weeks prior to the party. This way arrangements can be made by your guests to attend. They may need to schedule for a baby sitter, etc. For larger events, such as receptions, mail invitations out 3 to 4 weeks prior. You may also want to request an RSVP so you will have a better idea of how many finger sandwiches to have!
2 -(a) PREPARING THE MENU
Tea party foods are light and creative. They consist of scones, muffins, tiny tea sandwiches, small cakes, small pies, jams... to name a few. A GOOD RULE OF THUMB IS TO OFFER:
Other savories may be added to the menu if you so desire. If a more hearty menu is preferred you may add a hot entree. This is usually offered at a High Tea rather than an Afternoon Tea.
There are a large array of recipes. So when considering them, keep in mind that this is for a Tea Party - not a Family Dinner. I have this problem too. I come from an Italian background of preparing for a large family and preparing for catered parties. I have a tendency of wanting to prepare more substantial meals. This is a "light" affair with a more delicate menu! After all, this is one thing that makes a tea party elegant, fun and special. So make your Tea Party stand out over the usual meal and create a menu that even a Victorian Lady would appreciate!
2 -(b) REVIEW TEA PARTY RECIPES: Review recipes on scones, tea party sandwiches, clotted cream, desserts, etc. Also, keep in mind the different types of Teas there are and which ones you intend to serve! I’ll have several suggested Tea Party Recipes, which include ones for Devonshire cream, Clotted cream, Tea sandwiches, etc. in my future web pages. Feel free to add these to your tea party recipe collection! Be creative and have fun with unusual combinations for your sandwiches,pastries,and tea choices.
You may also want to include a special recipe that is dear to your heart. Perhaps one that your Grandmother use to make? Or maybe a vintage recipe that you always wanted to try? My favorite is my Aunt Rose's "Chocolate Buttersweets" YUM!! I'll include this recipe just for you! There will be several family and vintage recipes listed in my Tea Party Recipes. Along with new and up to date ones. Also, old favorites that have been converted into short cut recipes, low fat and diabetic recipes, and budget cutting recipes.
3 - GATHERING APPROPRIATE ACCESSORIES:
You may already have many of these items listed If your in need of several items consider a trip to an antique store, or you may find items at a garage sale, even a thrift store. You'll be surprised what you'll find!
4- PREPARE AHEAD:
It is wise to prepare things ahead of time. Do not wait until the day of the tea party to bake.
After planning your menu and picking out the recipes you want - go shopping! Prepare as much of the menu as possible a few days ahead of time. Scones, pastries, etc. keep beautifully in an air tight container! I'm sure you get the picture. You can start gathering your accessories a week in advance. Especially if you need to purchase a few more items. You can even set your table the day before, if possible. That way the day of the tea party all you have to do is set all your goodies out on the table!
5- BOIL THE WATER - POUR THE TEA - ENJOY!
If you plan on sitting down to tea as soon as your guests arrive, go ahead and put the water on to boil when the last guest arrives. or if you choose to socialize a bit, put the water on to boil about 20 to 30 minutes after they arrive. It will depend on how large your tea kettle is and how long it takes the water to boil. NOTE: If you have a large group you may want to have two tea kettles! Now sit down with your guests and enjoy Your Elegant Tea Party!
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