The tradition of tea-parties (the classic tea-time receptions) began in Britain in the nineteenth century, but is now widespread all over the world. The book Alice in Wonderland has enchanted readers for decades with the description of the tea party held by the Mad Hatter; the image of a formal tea in which polite conversations are held and gossip is exchanged is becoming popular in all cultures. Everyone from babies to duchesses loves tea parties, so read on to learn how to organize one for you and your guests.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: For Adults
Step 1. Set a budget and write a guest list
A tea party doesn't have to be too expensive or huge to be memorable. Imagine how many people your home can accommodate and evaluate how much you are willing to spend. While money is not an issue, a single figure estimate can help you not spend more than you would like.
Tea parties are usually smaller receptions than dinners. Try not to go beyond 4-8 guests based on the size of your home
Step 2. Decide on a dress code
Although it is an informal party, some guests encourage their guests to dress in a semi-formal or almost Victorian way to give the event a "British" touch. However, any clothing is accepted. If you have to organize a formal tea for business reasons and you want to follow traditional etiquette, ask that guests respect a semi-formal summer look. This means light colored dresses and hats for women, loose shirts with buttoned collar tips and a jacket or blazer for men.
Step 3. Create invitations or buy pre-made ones
You can use commercial postcards, prepare them yourself or simply call your friends if it is an informal occasion. If you want to invite close friends or friends who live nearby, consider sending them a small bouquet of flowers with a card showing the details of the party. Give your guests at least a week's notice.
You can wait to send out the invitations until you have everything planned and costs checked. This way you can reduce the number of guests and save on the buffet
Step 4. Inform invitees of all special details
As a guest you have to decide if smoking is allowed, pets or small children are allowed. Communicate your decisions clearly in the invitation. Let them know if there is a full meal or just refreshments. If you're not sure what to serve at the party, you'll find suggestions below.
Remember that some respondents may have pet allergies or may be bothered by smoking. So dedicate a separate room to the animals and ask smokers to go outside
Step 5. Choose nice tablecloths and decorations
If you have a nice tablecloth and a good tea set, use them. Three-tiered cake stands are quite traditional but not mandatory. Floral decorated saucers and teacups help set the mood, but don't worry if they are not all coordinated, unless you are organizing a formal or business reception. Make sure you have teapots or a nice kettle that has enough boiling water for all guests.
- Consider placing a vase of flowers as a centerpiece.
- Place a single fork on the left and a knife with a spoon on the right of each plate. Even if there is no food, put some teaspoons on it so you can mix the sugar or milk into the tea.
Step 6. Check that you have enough tea and all related ingredients
You should have at least a black tea such as Earl Gray or Darjeeling; a decaffeinated mixture and a small container of milk or cream, a sugar bowl or a container for the cubed one. If you're not familiar with making tea with loose leaves and boiling water, fold over a selection of tea bags that any guest can soak in water. Arrange all these items on one side of the table, where you will sit or stand to pour tea for guests. Alternatively, if you are getting a lot of people, put the tea on both ends of the table.
- Ask each respondent how they want their tea. Many are picky when it comes to sugar and milk, so follow their directions closely.
- Also provide honey and / or lemon slices.
Step 7. Keep other drinks on hand
Some may prefer coffee to tea, while others dislike any hot drinks. Be prepared for all these contingencies and make sure you also have fresh water, ginger ale or lemonade to offer to guests. Alcohol is not customary in tea parties, but you can consider serving champagne or a light wine.
Step 8. Decide what food to serve
There are three traditional methods for offering food at a tea party and the key element to decide is the time in which it takes place. If you're planning a mid-afternoon party, you need to serve a "low tea" with some sweet and savory snacks or a less formal "cream tea" with scones, clotted cream and jam. The teas during the main meals (between 5 and 7 pm) are called "high tea" and usually include more full-bodied dishes such as pies, quiches or other tasty and substantial dishes. Sometimes a salad and soup is also served for formal high tea before the main course.
- You can find many recipes for these dishes, but be aware that it's perfectly acceptable to serve store-bought foods as well.
- Note that the term "high tea" is now used to refer to any tea time reception. If you have been invited to a party in the afternoon, do not expect a full meal, unless specifically indicated in the invitation.
Step 9. Make classic sandwiches
They are not mandatory, especially if you have organized a "cream tea" focused on scones, but they are among the foods that guests expect to find at a tea. Traditionally, they are made of white loaf bread, cut into a triangle and without a crust. Try to make two or more types of sandwiches; here are the most common choices:
- Butter or cream cheese can be served alone or in addition to vegetables and smoked salmon.
- Slices of finely sliced cucumber, cress or radish.
- Smoked salmon.
- Ham and mustard.
- Egg salad.
- Prepare a special chicken salad. It is a dish invented and prepared on the occasion of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. You can find the recipe online by entering the search terms “Coronation Chicken salad”.
Step 10. Arrange the food
If you have decided to organize a large reception or the table you have available cannot accommodate everyone seated, you can offer buffet food so that guests can sit in the living room or in the garden. Place the snacks in the center of the table or divide them into multiple trays so that all diners can reach them easily.
If you use a three-tier riser and serve traditional afternoon tea, the label states that the top shelf contains scones, sandwiches in the center and sweets such as tartlets and candies in the lower one
Method 2 of 2: For Kids
Step 1. Choose a theme
It could also be the classic idea of British tea with sandwiches and doilies. Or your guests can dress up as princes and princesses, or as fairies, you can decorate a room as if it were winter or as if it were underwater. Find something that enchants little guests and keeps them entertained.
Remember that preparing some themes can be more challenging than others. If you are looking for a quick and easy solution, choose a color and decorate the room and tables with flowers, objects, napkins and plates of the chosen shade
Step 2. Decide on the location
If the weather is mild, you could hold the garden party or go to the nearby park for a picnic. Even an indoor tea party is fun and gives you the opportunity to hang decorations.
Step 3. Invite guests
Give your friends postcards as invitations, be sure to ask other family members for permission, and try to figure out how many people there will be. Remember to let your friends and family know the day and time of the party. You can organize the tea party weeks in advance or have a “spontaneous” one with your brothers and sisters. Do what makes you happy!
- Ask your friends to bring their favorite doll or stuffed toy.
- It doesn't have to be a girl-only party or a children's-only party. Invite whoever you like!
Step 4. Get dressed
For some, the funniest part of a tea party is precisely the choice of clothing. If you don't have any special clothes or costumes to put on, ask your family members to lend you various clothes to arrange a fun costume. Someone will give you a hat, others a scarf and maybe mom will put makeup on you. You can also keep some clothes on hand for guests who will show up without a costume.
- Prince / Princess dresses are simple to make, are loved by children, and crowns can be built out of cardstock.
- If you have time to devote to costumes, you can sew them with the help of patterns, paint faces or find some costumes already made on the internet or in carnival shops.
- If you and the other children and parents involved want a great tea party, ask each child to choose a character from their favorite book or decide what the story should be, such as Harry Potter or Alice in Wonderland.
Step 5. Make sure you have enough plates and cups
A proper tea party includes teapots, cups and saucers, but you can hold a party with any type of service. Make sure there is at least one plate and one cup for each guest. Cutlery isn't only necessary if you plan to offer finger-friendly snacks, such as cookies and sandwiches.
Step 6. Decorate the table or room
If you have decided to throw the party indoors, you can hang colored sheets or flags, put stuffed animals or art projects around the room. Flowers in the center of the table or a picnic tablecloth add a nice touch to the party.
- Organize the fairy party in the garden or park using toy mushrooms, fake flowers and moss with stones to recreate the fairy circle.
- Create a dreamy winter setting with paper snowflakes, hanging white fabrics and serving hot chocolate (or iced tea if the party is in the summer).
Step 7. Plan your drinks
Many children do not like black tea or it may make them too excited resulting in trouble sleeping. Fortunately, there are many other teas and herbal teas you can serve, such as mint, lemon or rooibos. It also doesn't hurt to have lemonade, juice or milk.
- Ask an adult to help you prepare tea if you are not allowed to handle boiling water.
- If your guests don't like tea or don't want to serve hot drinks, put some fruit juice in the teapots!
Step 8. Make sandwiches
In a real tea party, sandwiches with cream cheese, cucumbers or butter cannot be missing. Ask an adult to help you cut them into triangles or small pieces, arrange them on a plate as if they were a pyramid or in other shapes.
Use a pastry cutter to give the sandwiches unusual shapes. This method applies well to sandwiches stuffed with something sticky that holds them together
Step 9. Make a dessert too
Cookies are a great treat to present at a tea party, but so are scones and small cakes. You can buy it all in the pastry shop or cook it yourself under the supervision of a parent.
Step 10. Remember that your guests may want more food
Most tea parties do not include a full meal, just drinks and snacks. However, if the party goes on until dinner or lunch, you could prepare a pasta or other satisfying dish. Be sure to tell guests whether or not a full meal is planned so they can decide if they should have lunch at home.
Step 11. Find something to entertain your friends
Come up with some games or activities to do, get everything you need before the party starts. You can play games, do small art projects or have fun pretending to be the English court.
For example, you can build a fairy house or an enchanted garden, decorate handcrafted pinwheels or prepare a dessert all together
Advice
During a party for small children, organize creative games based on the theme you have chosen: hand-decorate paper fans, color or decorate small flower pots or create a secret diary by customizing the cover
Warnings
- If the party is held outdoors, make sure there is shade or fans. Provide sunscreen.
- Not all children like tea. Serve some other drinks as well.
