June 2nd, 2005
The Tea Party Club
...where tea enthusiasts share their favorite teaware, tea party
themes, recipes, and more.
themes, recipes, and more.
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YOU CAN’T ALWAYS CONTROL EVERYTHING
For your tea party, you’ve painstakingly handmade customized invitations, bought fresh flowers, ironed your
grandmother’s lace tablecloth, polished your best silverware, created and wrapped memorable favors, and even
gotten enough sleep so you can be witty and charming. In spite of all your best efforts to be the most prepared person
in the world, the unexpected can still occur.
For example, just as you start to serve tea, your neighbor starts mowing the lawn, causing guests not to be able to
hear each other without screaming. Perhaps a guest accidentally spills tea on your heirloom tablecloth, several of
your guests start loudly debating over a difference of opinions, or a guest even becomes sick. The bottom line is that
you can’t control everything. As long as you are as prepared as possible, you have done everything within your power
to host a good tea party.
Be ready to close the windows and turn on the air conditioner if you hear a lawn mower, have cleaner available in case
a spill occurs, ask a sick guest to rest on your bed, and serve something delicious to distract opinionated debaters.
Your being calm and poised will make mishaps less noticeable and distracting.
Your tea party doesn’t have to be perfect and few things are, but with preparation, quick thinking, and a soothing
demeanor, no matter what occurs, your tea party will still be a social success.
For your tea party, you’ve painstakingly handmade customized invitations, bought fresh flowers, ironed your
grandmother’s lace tablecloth, polished your best silverware, created and wrapped memorable favors, and even
gotten enough sleep so you can be witty and charming. In spite of all your best efforts to be the most prepared person
in the world, the unexpected can still occur.
For example, just as you start to serve tea, your neighbor starts mowing the lawn, causing guests not to be able to
hear each other without screaming. Perhaps a guest accidentally spills tea on your heirloom tablecloth, several of
your guests start loudly debating over a difference of opinions, or a guest even becomes sick. The bottom line is that
you can’t control everything. As long as you are as prepared as possible, you have done everything within your power
to host a good tea party.
Be ready to close the windows and turn on the air conditioner if you hear a lawn mower, have cleaner available in case
a spill occurs, ask a sick guest to rest on your bed, and serve something delicious to distract opinionated debaters.
Your being calm and poised will make mishaps less noticeable and distracting.
Your tea party doesn’t have to be perfect and few things are, but with preparation, quick thinking, and a soothing
demeanor, no matter what occurs, your tea party will still be a social success.
So, welcome to The Tea Party Club, where we will share all of the ideas about tea parties we have collected over the
years. And, we love to hear your favorite ideas and memories from tea parties you have attended or hosted. Just
email us and we will post them on this site to share with everyone.
years. And, we love to hear your favorite ideas and memories from tea parties you have attended or hosted. Just
email us and we will post them on this site to share with everyone.
 | There are so many variations of tea party themes and decor for planning a tea party. We celebrate seasons, | |
| holidays, weddings, and engagements. We love having cookie swaps around a tea table or sharing treasured stories with dear friends over a steaming cup of tea. We bring out our best china teapots, teacups, creamers, and sugar bowls, and unique serving pieces, all to celebrate the occasion and enjoy a soothing cup of tea. In the winter, we can coordinate our tea time with soothing winter color schemes reminiscent of an icy winter landscape from a postcard. Use a silvery tablecloth topped with creamy dinnerware with platinum banding or silver chargers. Use varying heights of crystal bowls filled with shiny silver ornaments for a dramatic centerpiece. Add a silver tea service or a white porcelain tea set to top off this splendid table scape. A crystal cake stand with a fluffy white coconut cake is the perfect dessert for this occasion. What a luxurious setting for a winter afternoon tea. |
| Another time of year, when tea parties are the perfect way to bring family and friends together, is during the | |
| days leading up to Thanksgiving. The colors of fall are the perfect inspiration for a harvest table scape. Fall fruits and berries will set the scheme for a Thanksgiving Tea, and your guests will be greeted with warmth and a comfortable setting. Combine sweet and savory dishes for the perfect preamble to Thanksgiving. Turkey salad and walnut tea sandwiches are savory and delicious. The perfect sweets are carrot cake, raisin bread, chocolate meringues, and lemon teacakes. As for the tea, Darjeeling is tasteful with the savories and Ceylon is delicious with sweets. Of course, you will want to incorporate miniature pumpkins, candles, seasonal flowers, leaves and pinecones in the centerpiece. |
| We will be sharing some lovely ideas for a spring English tea party soon. | |
How to Plan a Tea Party
You are thinking about having a tea party and are wondering how to plan for such an event. Do not underestimate
yourself. You have been planning parties and events for years and a tea party is just a different variation.
The true success in planning for any party is in the details. You have to make a number of different decisions on the type
of food, the ambiance, décor and who to invite. With enough planning and careful attention to detail, you can make your
tea party seem truly extravagant.
Remember that your planning will include thinking about where to have the party, who to invite, the type of invitations to
send out, the table decorations and where to seat guests, theme for the event, what types of teas and foods to serve.
There is definitely a lot to think about and to plan for when hosting a tea party.
If you need help with any of your planning, there is a wealth of information available. Consider using the internet to
instantly obtain a host of web sites that will provide information. Or, you can go to the library and borrow books on hosting
parties and teas. The number of books available to help you plan your tea party is staggering and filled with unlimited
ideas. Make use of these resources free resources.
Take the time needed to plan every detail and get ready for your special day. Now, dazzle your guests and enjoy your tea
party.
You are thinking about having a tea party and are wondering how to plan for such an event. Do not underestimate
yourself. You have been planning parties and events for years and a tea party is just a different variation.
The true success in planning for any party is in the details. You have to make a number of different decisions on the type
of food, the ambiance, décor and who to invite. With enough planning and careful attention to detail, you can make your
tea party seem truly extravagant.
Remember that your planning will include thinking about where to have the party, who to invite, the type of invitations to
send out, the table decorations and where to seat guests, theme for the event, what types of teas and foods to serve.
There is definitely a lot to think about and to plan for when hosting a tea party.
If you need help with any of your planning, there is a wealth of information available. Consider using the internet to
instantly obtain a host of web sites that will provide information. Or, you can go to the library and borrow books on hosting
parties and teas. The number of books available to help you plan your tea party is staggering and filled with unlimited
ideas. Make use of these resources free resources.
Take the time needed to plan every detail and get ready for your special day. Now, dazzle your guests and enjoy your tea
party.
Tea Party Ideas
Best Tips on How to Host a Stress-Free Tea Party.
The party giving season is one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year. Whether you are cooking, baking,
cleaning, shopping, wrapping gifts, visiting friends and relatives, attending holiday parties, or maybe hosting your own
tea party, there is always something that needs your time and attention. You may feel weary, over-whelmed and
stressed out at times even if you are selective in how you choose to spend your time during the summer months.
Have you ever wanted to host a tea party but decided against it time after time, just because you think it would be too time-
consuming along with all of the other things you are doing? Thinking that with all the preparation comes more stress,
you may think that you would not be able to enjoy yourself and that it would just be added pressure. Take a few moments
to re-think this, because you can plan to host a successful tea party without a hitch. Here is how to make your tea event a
success that all of your guests will enjoy and remember.
Start Planning:
Think carefully about what kind of tea party you want to have. If you don’t feel like hosting the traditional tea party
gathering this year, remember that you can turn everyday events into a party and reap the benefits. For example, if you
and your friends get together to bake cookies or have tea, turn these mini-events into party prep time. Host a cookie
swap with neighbors, and have a cookie-baking party with friends. Use the cookies for serving at your next tea party. This
will greatly help in the food preparation process by turning a chore into fun.
Be the First to Invite:
Schedule a date for your party and send your invitations out at least one month in advance. Not only will you get better
attendance because your invitation will arrive before others, but you will get RSVPs sooner and be better able to plan your
food needs accordingly.
Be Creative with Invitations:
Save time and money by designing simple invitations on your computer and print them on fancy paper that can be found
at card shops and office supply stores. Ask family members or neighbors to get together to create the invitations.
Food Selection and Planning:
Food selection is the most important basic element to planning a successful tea party, but it can also be the most
daunting, so take some to determine how your want to present the food at your party. One way to ease stress is to as for
help from guests. You can ask your guests to bring a dish that you know they prepare well. Most people prefer not to
show up to a party empty-handed, preferring instead to receive an assigned dish. You could suggest they bring their
specialty recipes by writing a note on their invitation such as, “Please bring your famous hot and spicy wings in a ready-
to-serve container or another appetizer to share”. Or, you could write. “We love your Strawberry Scones! Would you be so
kind as to bring a batch to share with our guests?” Serve all these dishes buffet-style.
If it is affordable, you might consider having the party catered. The food, serving dishes, and cleanup are all managed by
a professional staff, leaving you to enjoy your party and guests. A less expensive alternative to professional caterers is
neighborhood teenagers. Hire a reliable teenager or two (they love extra cash) to help cook and/or serve. Another
alternative might be to ask your housekeeper if they would like to assist you in preparing for the party, serving guests at
the party, and after party cleanup.
Weeks before the Event:
Plan Your Preparation.
Several days before the party, make a to-do list of everything you will need to complete before the day of the party (i.e.,
unpack decorations, clean the entryway, get a pet-sitter), and check off items as you soon as you complete them. Most
party planners will tell you the key to a great party is organization, and a list helps tremendously. Plus, you will feel a
sense of accomplishment as you check off items on your list.
Gradual Cleaning.
Determine the areas of your home your guests will be occupying the most such as the bathroom, kitchen, entryway, or
sitting room. Clean those rooms with a heavier hand that the rest of the house. Don’t worry too much about rooms
guests will never or rarely enter such as the laundry room, master bedroom, or basement. To lessen the stress, clean a
little bit of each room every day, and you won’t feel rushed the days before the party.
Make Cleanup Easier.
Consider using paper plates instead of china for serving food, and paper napkins instead of cloth, which can be tossed
in the garbage after use. Plastic glassware will save you time in the kitchen as well. If you prefer to use real china, this
is where a housekeeper can help tremendously by keeping dirty dishes flowing into the sink and dishwasher.
Send Leftovers Packing.
Before the day of the tea party, start collecting colorful, festive, or interesting food containers. Keep them on hand to fill
with leftovers and give to guests as they leave. They will be happy to take food home for later enjoyment.
Get Ready for Spills.
Make sure to pick up some spot remover and have paper towels on hand for any spills or messes. They are bound to
happen. You might also want to think about moving any expensive, delicate, or special furniture pieces to another room
for safekeeping until the party is over.
Days before the Event and the Day of the Event
Easy Centerpieces
If you don’t have a tea party centerpiece, use candles. They are beautiful and perfect for the season. Cluster cream-
colored candles of varying sizes in the middle of the table, or arrange votive or floating candles in a row down the center
of the table. Use a pedestal cake stand to give them extra height. Set and light candles around other parts of the house
for a welcoming and festive glow (but make sure they are high enough that they cannot be knocked over by a child or pet)
A scented candle in the bathroom is also a nice touch.
Relaxing Moments
The morning of, or a few hours before the party, remember to take time for yourself. Relax in a bubble bath to feel cool,
calm, and collected at party time.
Enjoy Yourself:
Remember that the hostess sets the tone for the party. If you are calm, relaxed, and having a great time, your guests will
too. Don’t spend the whole time worrying about whether the cookies are just right or whether everyone is having the time
of their lives. Your guests came to see you, not judge your party or your home. No party is ever perfect, but it can be a lot
of fun, particularly if the host is having a good time.
The party giving season is one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year. Whether you are cooking, baking,
cleaning, shopping, wrapping gifts, visiting friends and relatives, attending holiday parties, or maybe hosting your own
tea party, there is always something that needs your time and attention. You may feel weary, over-whelmed and
stressed out at times even if you are selective in how you choose to spend your time during the summer months.
Have you ever wanted to host a tea party but decided against it time after time, just because you think it would be too time-
consuming along with all of the other things you are doing? Thinking that with all the preparation comes more stress,
you may think that you would not be able to enjoy yourself and that it would just be added pressure. Take a few moments
to re-think this, because you can plan to host a successful tea party without a hitch. Here is how to make your tea event a
success that all of your guests will enjoy and remember.
Start Planning:
Think carefully about what kind of tea party you want to have. If you don’t feel like hosting the traditional tea party
gathering this year, remember that you can turn everyday events into a party and reap the benefits. For example, if you
and your friends get together to bake cookies or have tea, turn these mini-events into party prep time. Host a cookie
swap with neighbors, and have a cookie-baking party with friends. Use the cookies for serving at your next tea party. This
will greatly help in the food preparation process by turning a chore into fun.
Be the First to Invite:
Schedule a date for your party and send your invitations out at least one month in advance. Not only will you get better
attendance because your invitation will arrive before others, but you will get RSVPs sooner and be better able to plan your
food needs accordingly.
Be Creative with Invitations:
Save time and money by designing simple invitations on your computer and print them on fancy paper that can be found
at card shops and office supply stores. Ask family members or neighbors to get together to create the invitations.
Food Selection and Planning:
Food selection is the most important basic element to planning a successful tea party, but it can also be the most
daunting, so take some to determine how your want to present the food at your party. One way to ease stress is to as for
help from guests. You can ask your guests to bring a dish that you know they prepare well. Most people prefer not to
show up to a party empty-handed, preferring instead to receive an assigned dish. You could suggest they bring their
specialty recipes by writing a note on their invitation such as, “Please bring your famous hot and spicy wings in a ready-
to-serve container or another appetizer to share”. Or, you could write. “We love your Strawberry Scones! Would you be so
kind as to bring a batch to share with our guests?” Serve all these dishes buffet-style.
If it is affordable, you might consider having the party catered. The food, serving dishes, and cleanup are all managed by
a professional staff, leaving you to enjoy your party and guests. A less expensive alternative to professional caterers is
neighborhood teenagers. Hire a reliable teenager or two (they love extra cash) to help cook and/or serve. Another
alternative might be to ask your housekeeper if they would like to assist you in preparing for the party, serving guests at
the party, and after party cleanup.
Weeks before the Event:
Plan Your Preparation.
Several days before the party, make a to-do list of everything you will need to complete before the day of the party (i.e.,
unpack decorations, clean the entryway, get a pet-sitter), and check off items as you soon as you complete them. Most
party planners will tell you the key to a great party is organization, and a list helps tremendously. Plus, you will feel a
sense of accomplishment as you check off items on your list.
Gradual Cleaning.
Determine the areas of your home your guests will be occupying the most such as the bathroom, kitchen, entryway, or
sitting room. Clean those rooms with a heavier hand that the rest of the house. Don’t worry too much about rooms
guests will never or rarely enter such as the laundry room, master bedroom, or basement. To lessen the stress, clean a
little bit of each room every day, and you won’t feel rushed the days before the party.
Make Cleanup Easier.
Consider using paper plates instead of china for serving food, and paper napkins instead of cloth, which can be tossed
in the garbage after use. Plastic glassware will save you time in the kitchen as well. If you prefer to use real china, this
is where a housekeeper can help tremendously by keeping dirty dishes flowing into the sink and dishwasher.
Send Leftovers Packing.
Before the day of the tea party, start collecting colorful, festive, or interesting food containers. Keep them on hand to fill
with leftovers and give to guests as they leave. They will be happy to take food home for later enjoyment.
Get Ready for Spills.
Make sure to pick up some spot remover and have paper towels on hand for any spills or messes. They are bound to
happen. You might also want to think about moving any expensive, delicate, or special furniture pieces to another room
for safekeeping until the party is over.
Days before the Event and the Day of the Event
Easy Centerpieces
If you don’t have a tea party centerpiece, use candles. They are beautiful and perfect for the season. Cluster cream-
colored candles of varying sizes in the middle of the table, or arrange votive or floating candles in a row down the center
of the table. Use a pedestal cake stand to give them extra height. Set and light candles around other parts of the house
for a welcoming and festive glow (but make sure they are high enough that they cannot be knocked over by a child or pet)
A scented candle in the bathroom is also a nice touch.
Relaxing Moments
The morning of, or a few hours before the party, remember to take time for yourself. Relax in a bubble bath to feel cool,
calm, and collected at party time.
Enjoy Yourself:
Remember that the hostess sets the tone for the party. If you are calm, relaxed, and having a great time, your guests will
too. Don’t spend the whole time worrying about whether the cookies are just right or whether everyone is having the time
of their lives. Your guests came to see you, not judge your party or your home. No party is ever perfect, but it can be a lot
of fun, particularly if the host is having a good time.
The Tea Party Club Tea Parties for Children Tea Party China Party Decorating Etiquette and
Good Manners Party Favors Tea Party Recipes Invitations Placecards Tea Party Resources
Tea Party Themes
Good Manners Party Favors Tea Party Recipes Invitations Placecards Tea Party Resources
Tea Party Themes
| Copyright 2013 - The Tea Party Club. - All rights reserved |
Join us for a cup of tea and a few of our favorite tea party tips.
We know you've been searching for one place to go for tips and
creative tea party ideas.
We know you've been searching for one place to go for tips and
creative tea party ideas.