Hosting a tea party is a fun and elegant way to spend an afternoon. Start by sending elegant tea party invitations. You can throw a beautiful tea party by following a few simple rules. Our party experts have some great suggestions on how to set up your table to give your guests a tea party to remember!
Setting up the Tea Table
- Throw a linen table cloth over a large table.
- A small centerpiece in the middle of the table will add charm.
- A small vase with a single flower is good enough too.
- Depending on the number of guests, you would have to decide weather it would be a sit down affair or a buffet.
- For a small and intimate group a sit down would be nice. Buffets work best for larger gatherings.
- If you are having a sit down party, you could lay down all the items on your menu on the table.
- When the guests are seated and have helped themselves to refreshments, the guest of honor or the hostess pours the tea.
- For a buffet you could have the tea tray with the tea cups and saucers at the two ends of the table. This way guests don’t have to queue up or wait for their turn.
- Don’t forget to have two pots – one with the brew and the other with hot water.
- For a formal tea party it is absolutely necessary that you use linen napkins and silver. If you are hosting a slightly informal affair, good quality small paper napkins are perfectly acceptable.
Serving the Tea
- It’s better to serve tea from teapots, rather than having individual tea bags, which can get very messy. If you do decide to use tea bags, then there should be a small dish on which the guests can place the used tea bag.
- If you plan to have someone serving tea, no pourer should be at her station for more than thirty minutes. She should fill the cup 3/4 full and then ask “Would you like sugar? One lump or two?” (always use cubed sugar) .
- Then ask if they would also like milk or lemon-but NEVER milk and lemon together, as the lemon will curdle the milk. Serve milk with tea, not cream. Real cream has a tendency to react with the acidity level in the tea and it also tends to mask the flavor.
Remember to relax and have fun! There is a formality implied with a tea party but you can make into whatever type of atmosphere you choose! Read more about tea party etiquette, ideas and tips! Be sure to also check out our tea party food ideas.
