Tea Party Planning – Don’t Panic
Chatting together over a cup of tea invites and sustains friendship. What better way to celebrate friendship and “practice hospitality” than with the warm celebration of a tea party? But does the thought of hosting a tea party send you into a panic? Are you overwhelmed by the thought of it?
Hosting a tea party can be done by anyone, anywhere and on any budget. A tea party doesn’t have to be elegant. The purpose is not to impress your friends, but to extend hospitality and cultivate friendships.
Begin by choosing a date. Select your day and date well in advance – at least one month or more.
Consider is a theme. It is the basis upon which all of the other elements-food, d?cor, and invitations, should be built. It creates an air of excitement – because it paints a picture and sets the mood for your guests to anticipate. It also facilitates planning. A themed party doesn’t have to be extravagant to be beautiful. It can be as simple as a color or as elaborate as a Victorian tea.
Select your Location: The dining room is the first choice because it’s easier to set and clear the table, but tea can be served in other places. In the summer, you might want to offer tea on your patio or deck or in your garden. In the winter you may choose to serve a cozy tea in front of your fireplace.
Compile your guest list. Take into consideration your available space, your budget, and the compatibility, ages and interests of those you are planning to invite.
Consider your invitations. It is appropriate to extend a telephone invitation. You can also make “save the date” calls and then send an invitation. Phone your guests with a verbal invitation to confirm their availability and follow that with a more detailed written invitation by mail. For a special tea, written invitations are preferable. This is your first chance to set the stage or mood for your guests. So, if you have the time, invest a little of your creative flair to make the most out of this opportunity. Your invitation should include information that your guests need to know about your party -date, time and place. It is also important to give your guests the reason for the celebration, if there is one. Other things to include might be: directions, special dress code, or bring your own teacup. For a formal tea, it is appropriate to send out invitations 3-4 weeks in advance. Two weeks is not always enough time in these days of overbooked calendars. It is helpful to include an RSVP with your phone number.
Plan your menu. Although it is traditional to serve finger sandwiches and scones at an afternoon tea, there is really no set menu for a tea party. A tea can be held at any time of the day, leaving the menu open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon or evening. It depends on your personal tastes and the times that your guests are available.
The foods served should be pleasing to the eye. No two dishes in one setting should taste and look the same. Invite the differences between color, shape, sweet, sour, salty, crisp and smooth. Try to plan a menu that you can prepare ahead with ease. You don’t want to be dashing back and forth to the kitchen after your guests have arrived. Check out the offerings at the local bakery. You can find delicious pre-made food to serve and save yourself hours in the kitchen.
Compile your grocery list. If there are things that you can purchase in advance, by all means, do so. Save the perishable items to buy just a few days before your event.
Make a checklist. It will help you to organize and manage your schedule for a tea party. A checklist is simply a list of ALL the things you will need to do prior to the event. When you have a complete checklist, it is important to create a timetable. Having everything written will alleviate stress the day of the tea. YOU must be the author of your timetable because every woman works by a different set of standards and at a different pace. Sit down with a large tablet and a calendar and plan your event step by step. Make a separate sheet for party day. Down the side of the page, write each hour leading up to the party. Assign tasks in the appropriate time slot. Include every detail and minute task. You’ll be glad you did.
Now that you realize how simply a tea party can be planned, purchase a journal and keep a Tea or Party Journal. This will be helpful for future planning to record your party – the menu, the decor, the guest list, the theme, the timetable, checklist, and what worked and what didn’t. .This information will be a big help when you plan your next party.
Finally, don’t be overly concerned with cleaning your house. Yes, be neat and remove clutter, but it is your heart that your guests will remember – not whether you had dust on your coffee table.
With organization and a mindset that you are extending your heart and home to others, hosting tea parties can be a joy, not a panic. The hostess who makes her guests feel welcome, special, and loved will be creating extraordinary treasures. Yes, chatting over a cup of tea invites and sustains friendship.