Tea parties were a popular social event in the early 1800s.Tea parties are a popular pastime.Tea is necessary for tea parties, but sometimes small snacks are also served.You can have a variety of tea parties.It is possible to have a tea party for children.If you want to make your tea party stand out, you can use costumes, music, and decorations.
Step 1: You can choose your time.
A tea party can be held in the afternoon.It is usually held around noon or afternoon.Any time is good for a tea party.There is a tea party after dinner.When planning a tea party, consider the schedules of your guests.It can be difficult to have a party in the afternoon when people are working.If you plan on having it in the afternoon, a weekend would be ideal.
Step 2: You should invite your guests.
Two weeks in advance, you can send handwritten invitations.Send an email to your guests if you don't want to send an invitation.The guest list should be around eight people.Tea parties are supposed to be relaxing, so the host can easily mingle with her special guests.It's okay to invite more than eight people.It's important to have enough tea and snacks.Extra tea or desserts can be brought by your guests.
Step 3: Obtain supplies for a tea party.
To serve tea to your guests, you will need a teapot, cups, and saucers.Use a small dish to collect used tea leaves.A pitcher of milk, lemon slices, honey and sugar can also be served.If you are serving food, make sure you have enough small plates, napkins, and utensils.It will be helpful to set out tablecloths.If you want to make it easier to clean, you can purchase disposable tablecloths.
Step 4: Buy tea.
You don't have to serve more than two or three different types of tea.Black tea, white tea and green tea are some varieties.You can either ask your guests what they prefer before they arrive or you can buy whatever they want.Iced tea can be served at a tea party during a warm part of the year.You can purchase drinks life coffee and lemonade for people who don't like tea.
Step 5: The food should be prepared.
You can find tea sandwiches, scone, and pastry recipes online or in your favorite recipe book.You can either purchase the food or make it yourself.Cucumber sandwiches are light, but you also want to serve something sweet, like cranberry scone or fruitcake.You can serve teacakes and buns.Salmon club, crab, smoked salmon and avocados are some of the sandwiches served at tea parties.Lemon drizzle, walnut, and cherry are some of the classic scone flavors.After sandwiches are served, it is nice to have cookies and cakes.Pair the jams with the scones.Jam flavors include strawberry, Rhubarb and ginger.
Step 6: The tea table should be set.
A white linen tablecloth is a good choice if you want to cover a large table.Make sure to leave plenty of room for yourself when placing the tea at one end of the table.The guests will be served tea by you.The lemon, milk, honey, and sugar should be placed next to the tea at the other end of the table.The guests serve the food at tea parties.You should place the tea cups in the pots.The trays and cake stands are for food.Plates and utensils can be picked up next to the food or placed at the tables.If you want people to sit in certain places, place napkins and name signs.
Step 7: The tea needs to be prepared.
The food should be ready about ten minutes before the guest arrives.Take the teapot to the table if the kettle is whistling.If you want the guests to make their own tea, you can place a hot water dispensers next to the tea bags.You should set out drinks for your guests.Take this time to look around the room and make sure everything is ready.
Step 8: You have to dress the part.
You should wear clothes similar to what you would wear to a church or casual wedding.Tea parties are casual, but don't be afraid to get a bit dressier than you would for a normal gathering with friends.If you are having a traditional British themed party, dress up in elaborate hats and gloves.If you want your guests to dress in a certain way, you can suggest a dress code in your invitations.
Step 9: Your guests are welcome.
greet each of your guests individuallyIf you know them well, greet them with a handshake or a hug.Put whatever they brought on the table for them.If you don't have a place to put them, show them where they can choose to sit.As they walk in, you may not be available to greet them.As soon as you are available, greet them.
Step 10: You should serve your guests.
When most of your guests have arrived, serve the tea.If you fill the first tea cups yourself, pass them out or serve them to others.You can leave them the option of refilling on their own.If you want to have a more casual party, you can have guests serve everything for themselves.Make sure they have something to drink with the tea, like honey, sugar, and milk.
Step 11: Pick a time.
When planning the time, keep in mind the age of the children.If the party is for very young children, you should keep in mind the parents.Work for parents and school for children are things that should be considered.It's a good time to be late morning or early afternoon on a Saturday.Ask the parents of the children what a good time would be.If the party is for young children, consider nap times.Children don't like parties at night.
Step 12: A theme is something to plan.
A tea party for children is the most enjoyable.If the party is for girls, you could choose a princess theme.Another option is a theme called Alice in Wonderland.A theme based on a country would be educational and fun.A British theme is one of the options.You can research the decorations, costumes, food, and music based on the theme you choose.
Step 13: Send out invites.
Send out invites based on the theme.Invitations can be printed or sent via email.The best time to send the invitations is a month before the party.You can email or call the parents of the children if you don't want to send out custom-made invitations.You can download invitation templates from websites.Some are free while others cost.
Step 14: Buy things.
If you are hosting a room full of children, don't worry about buying expensive supplies.Plastic tea cups and plates will work.The theme should be considered when choosing the tea pot, cups, and plates.Plates can be colored or designs based on the theme.You will need plastic utensils, a tablecloth, serving trays, and napkins.There are tea sets for children.Many of them are very expensive and easy to break.Supplies can be purchased at Party City.You can buy supplies online.Make sure you purchase the items in time for them to be delivered by the party.
Step 15: Purchase tea.
Children don't like hot tea, so consider other options.Other options include sweet tea, apple juice and fruit juices.Even if you don't serve hot tea, you can serve drinks in the tea pot.If parents will be staying, you should plan the food and tea accordingly.If some parents stay, buy hot tea, cold tea and wine.
Step 16: Purchase food.
Depending on the type of food you are buying, buy it the day before or a few days before the party.Some basic foods are better for children than the same things you serve at an adult tea party.Simple cheese, turkey and cheese sandwiches, muffins, and tea triangle sandwiches with simple ingredients work well for food.You can serve sugar cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and fresh fruit with sugar lightly sprinkled on top.Ask the parents if they have allergies when planning the menu.
Step 17: The room should be decorated.
The room should be decorated based on the theme.The table should have a tablecloth on it.Small toys that the children can bring home can be set up at the table.Hang up streamers by putting out balloons.The room needs to be colorful and cute.You could set out the book and place figurines from the story on the table.Put out chopsticks and hang up Chinese lanterns for a Chinese theme.
Step 18: You have to dress up in costumes.
If you want the children to come in costume, you can set up some costumes for them to wear at the party.If you ask the children to come in costume, it is a good idea to make a few costumes for children who may not have gotten the memo.If you are asking the parents to bring their children in costume, make sure they are aware of the theme.
Step 19: Remove the tea and food.
You can either serve it after the children arrive or before the party starts.It is a good idea to have some food on the table when the guests arrive so that they can have a snack or drink while waiting.About ten minutes before the children are set to arrive, begin setting out the food and drinks.In case of spillage, make sure to have plenty of napkins.
Step 20: You should plan activities for your guests.
Tea party games include Tea Leaf Pictionary.In this game, the players use their tea leaves to make pictures of objects that are written down on small pieces of paper and drawn by the other team.Guests can create their own tea bags.Take out tea leaves, tea bags, strings, and a stapler.You should place the leaves in shallow bowls and put out spoons for the tea leaves if you want the guest to make their own tea.
Step 21: The area should be decorated.
You can buy flowers at the florist on the day of the party.If it fits in your budget, you can buy more bouquets.The vases should be placed around the area you are having the party in.lilies and daisies are good choices for flowers.If you have a party outside, hang up some string lights.The paper lights in the shape of flowers look great.A nice scent can be created by lighting candles.
Step 22: You can choose a theme.
The theme is not just for children.Adult parties can have a theme as well.Adults get a reason to dress up and bring out their inner child when there is a theme.British, Chinese, and Victorian are some of the themes to choose from.You can make an event out of the party and have a mystery theme.It's important to plan the food, music, tea, decorations, and dress around the theme.The host of a mystery tea party has a booklet with instructions, script, name tags, and place cards.Each guest has a role to play in the script.The guests solved the mystery.Send out invitations that say "not be late for a very important date with the white rabbit" and decorate the area with tea pots and cups, clocks, paper lanterns, and quotes from the book.Chess and croquet are played outdoors.Ask guests to dress up as their favorite characters.
Step 23: You should wear costumes.
Guests should wear costumes according to the theme.You can ask guests to wear costumes even if you don't have a specific theme.The British are known for wearing flamboyant hats to formal events.Asking guests to dress up in formal attire is an option for dressing up without a theme.It's important to specify costumes on the invitation.
Step 24: Play music.
Music for a party.Pick music according to the theme you have chosen.Low, soft music can be played in the background.Smooth jazz is one of the options.You can hire a music group to play.Classical or jazz music can be played by a small group.Ask your friends if they want to play instruments.You can listen to tea party music online.You can connect your phone or iPod to the speakers to play music.