How to Host Tea Parties

1. Pick a theme - ex: Afternoon Tea, Tea with a Diva
Tea with Friends
2. Invite friends
3. Set a nice table setting
4. Bake some organic tarts, scones, pastries
5. Have fresh flowers and candles
6. A variety of teas
7. Just enjoy this time with your friends

Fabulous Teas, delectable Pastry, adorable Tea Sets and an enchanting Party atmosphere...that's it, plain and simple! Our mission at TEAlicious is to offer Ahwatukee residents the most unique and specialized dining, shopping and Tea Party experience available in the valley!
We are so happy to do our little part to bolster the economic community by adding valuable employment opportunities to the work force.
Most importantly, we are PROUD to promote the empowerment of Women in Business, encouraging girls and women of all ages to believe in the strength of their dreams, and to NEVER lose sight of their goals.
~Les Renee
Owner
TEAlicious LLC

http://www.tealiciousteas.com/services

Tea has been consumed for centuries around the world. Although most people associate teatime and tea drinking with England, this drink has been enjoyed all throughout history by people in China, India, and other parts of the world. While many people in America consume tea for its caffeine benefits, tea also has medicinal uses and has long been used in healing and enhancing overall health. Black tea is the most common type of tea consumed in the west; however, green tea, white tea, and many herbal teas are quickly becoming popular.

Tea has been consumed for centuries around the world. Although most people associate teatime and tea drinking with England, this drink has been enjoyed all throughout history by people in China, India, and other parts of the world. While many people in America consume tea for its caffeine benefits, tea also has medicinal uses and has long been used in healing and enhancing overall health. Black tea is the most common type of tea consumed in the west; however, green tea, white tea, and many herbal teas are quickly becoming popular.

How Different Countries Enjoy Tea

The history of tea can be traced back to Imperial China, and the Japanese Tea Ceremony was, and still is, a big part of the culture and everyday life in the Far East. The tea served during these ceremonies is an assortment of green and black teas, and the host of the ceremony makes sure the teapot and glasses are arranged in a special way and served at just the right time, in the right place. The full presentation is known as the "Chaji," and is a way to welcome guests and enjoy a healthy drink. It also has a spiritual significance, and Japanese tea houses summon guests to the tea house by sounding a gong or evening bell as the ceremony begins.

Teatime Around the World
In America, tea is consumed throughout the day, and often as an alternative to coffee. Here you'll find an assortment of herbal teas, green tea, white tea, and other exotic imports, along with the classic British Breakfast or Earl Grey. It's common to find Chai at most coffee shops and teahouses in the U.S. Chai is a combination of sweet milk, spices, and black tea that is commonly served in Asia.

A completely different event takes place on the British Isles. After England began importing tea from Asia, serving tea in the late afternoon and hosting tea parties soon became a part of life. Tea parties here usually involved only black tea served with sugar, along with an assortment of savory and sweet snacks. The tradition continues to this day, and you'll find afternoon tea served at many restaurants and bistros in England. People will also invite you over for tea, which means you can fill up on classic English baked goods, miniature sandwiches, and other savory snacks.
In India and other countries in Southeast Asia, tea is served in a similar manner. This is largely due to the British influence of India during the 1850s to late 1940s, and continues today with tea served in the late afternoon. Still, it is a part of the culture when entertaining guests; tea is commonly served with biscuits (crunchy cookies), desserts, and savory snacks.

If you're anxious to get started on your own tea ceremony or tea party, here are the key things you'll need:

Assortment of teas
Tea pot
Tea cups
Sweetener (sugar, honey, or artificial sweetener)
Cream or milk
Savory snacks
Sweet snacks (baked goods, cookies, and small cakes)
A serving tray
You can bake the sweet and savory items ahead of time if you are hosting a large gathering, and set them up for serving on a large platter or banquet tray. You'll need to boil some hot water for the teapot, and arrange the assortment of tea bags for each guest to choose from. When it's time to make a cup of tea, just pour hot water over the chosen tea bag and let it steep for at least 3-5 minutes. Then add sweetener and cream to taste, and enjoy!
Credit goes to DivaVillage.com website

Victorian Trading Co. cordially invites you to hostess a Victorian Tea Party! There was once a time when women could sit amongst themselves in the parlour primly savoring a cup of Earl Grey while sharing thoughts that only the feminine gender could truly appreciate. This centuries-old tradition has kindled an idea to revisit the afternoon ritual, while providing you with an opportunity to share our dear correspondence papers with friends.

And as polite society would expect, a hostess reward will be graciously given to you from Victorian Trading Co. as a gesture of our appreciation. Our new Tea Party program allows you to tailor your reward to your specifications! Choose the traditional check for 10% of the total sales, plus a 10% future credit; or choose an immediate 20% discount to the hostess' party order. The cost of your Tea Kit will automatically be deducted from your Tea Party order.

Should you be interested in hosting a Victorian Papers Tea Party, your tea kit will include invitations, complimentary catalogs, and many wonderful gifts for your guests. You supply the hot water and gossip!

#iTK

Tea Kit for six. $ 18.00 ($64 retail value!)

Here is there site and the items sold here are
for holding a High Tea Pary
http://www.victoriantradingco.com/catindex/C16-64.html

This a great site and the owner actually used
online services to teach and show you how to
plan and host tea parties. Read about her story
and visit her site. She shares with her readers
a lot of good information for planning your next tea party.

Tea Party Girl will remain a place for you to refer your friends for most any information they might need to fully enjoy and host the afternoon tea party. I worked hard as I built this gathering place to recommend some of the best resources in the form of other books, businesses, and websites on the art of the tea party. Please continue, however, to respect the work and its copyright, giving credit to Jenny Wells, the Tea Party Girl, if you ever refer to materials on this site to promote or enhance your own work

Credit for the picture and the her site
goes to Jenny AKA The Tea Party Girl

And she is the one in the middle of the picture

http://www.teapartygirl.com/about

I simply just fell in love with Lady Estelle's site.
And Lady Estellse serves it up wtih a Victorian flair. And this all camee about from wanted to bring people of the same interest together and make some new friends. And look what has transpired from this.

Please do check out her sites.
http://ladyestelle.com/index1.html
http://www.orgsites.com/ri/teatime/

Credit goes to Lady Estelle

This is the one that comes to mind when people think of English tea ceremonies. It all began back in the mid 1800s, when the Duchess of Bedford started having a tray of tea with bread and butter served to her in the mid-afternoon. You see, in those days, lunch was served at noon but dinner was not eaten until 8 or even 9 o'clock at night. The Duchess found herself hungry during those long afternoon hours. It became a regular occurance and as she began to invite other high-society ladies to join her, having Afternoon Tea became the 'in-thing' for the upper-class women. Along with tea, there would be small pastries with clotted cream or preserves, delicate sandwiches, and scones.
Credit goes to:By Sean Paajanen, About.com

When thinking about tea parties, do you find yourself overwhelmed with thoughts of the British gentry, scenes from Alice in Wonderland, Victorian decor, blue haired ladies and pinky fingers stuck up in the air? If so, you're both right and wrong. You're right because as the tradition of "Afternoon" Tea has developed over time, it has become an elegant affair. You're wrong because "High" Tea was often enjoyed by the British working class as their evening supper, with heartier fare than the tea sandwiches and scones that are now associated with tea time.

As the custom has evolved, tea time is usually scheduled from mid to late afternoon. It's a between meal snack that is a lot more elegant than a bag of chips from the vending machine. It needn't be extremely fussy, although the meal often includes savory, bite size sandwiches, scones or biscuits, and sweets (along with a good pot of tea, of course!) Both men and women enjoy afternoon tea in England, and it's often used as a function for entertaining business clients.

An Afternoon Tea Party is suitable for many celebrations. When you'd like to host a party that isn't as involved as a dinner party, a tea party can be the answer. It's an ideal format for a bridal or baby shower, a retirement party, a birthday celebration, or time to catch up with good friends. The food is prepared before your guests arrive, and is either presented buffet style, or by passing plates of goodies at the table. The only thing you need to serve is the tea itself, leaving you plenty of time to relax and enjoy your guests. Your guest list can include dozens of people or only one good friend with whom you'd like to share an intimate conversation. It can be a very formal affair as you'll find at some of the more elegant hotels, or it can be as casual as a pot of tea and some cookies.

Whatever your reason for hosting your next tea party, enjoy a cup for me!

Tea Time Tables

In many parts of the world, tea time is an honored tradition of refinement and elegance. When you're planning a tea party -- whether for a shower, graduation, birthday, or just for fun -- adorn your table with your best china, silver, and linens. These add polish and grace to the occasion, and in our "paper cup" world they remind us fondly of earlier times. Visit Interior Decorating Guide, Glenna Morton, for a look at three sweet tea settings with ideas you can use on your own gracious tea table.

Planning Your Tea Party - A Step by Step Guide

Select a date and send out your invitations.
Purchase your tea and related accessories.
Review recipes for tea time sandwiches and treats.
Plan your menu. Include both savory and sweet food. Here is a sample Tea Time Menu.
Set a beautiful table with guidance from Glenna Morton.
Design an easy rose centerpiece with instruction from Glenna.
Brew and serve a proper pot of tea.
Relax and enjoy your guests while musing on the merits of tea. Try reading the leaves for amusement. Turn to Tea Quotations and Reading the Leaves for inspiration.
New posts to the Entertaining forums:
rsvping with more than invited
place cards
Where To Buy?
Related Articles
Adventures on the High Tea
Plan a Tea Party with Beautiful China and Tasty Treats
A Menu for Afternoon Tea
How to Brew a Proper Cup of Tea
Teatime

By Donna Pilato, About.com

Guide since 1999 Donna Pilato
Entertaining Guide

It was early on the crisp December evening. A group of two hundred some-odd men assembled in disguise on a nearby hill. The crowd marched down to the wharf two-by-two, crying, "Boston harbor, a teapot tonight!"

They descended upon three ships and demanded the captains grant them access to the holds. With the faux-tomahawks from their costumes, they split open all 340 chests of cargo and pitched them overboard. This single event, organized as a protest against a tax that made it harder to get tea, was dubbed "The Boston Tea Party."

Though this may be the most famous tea party in history, the idea of a tea party is not only still alive, but very popular today. In this installment of TeaMuse, we'll move away from Boston Harbor and explore the interesting history of the tea party, as well as suggest some contemporary ideas to infuse into your next festiviTEA.

Credit goes to:
The Tea Party: History and Ideas
by Chris Cason

http://www.teamuse.com/article_050801.html

Flash back to the golden age of T.V. and radio by offering guests of any age a 1950's tea party. A 1950's theme will easily lend itself to creativity, but needn't cost a lot or take a great deal of preparation. To help set the tone, encourage guests to dress accordingly. If you plan to host a variety of themed tea parties, you may want to visit the local thrift shop or antique store for clothing. This way, guests who are so inclined can throw on a sweater or change into some bowling shoes. If you're able to provide some costuming, your guests will have no reason not to attend.

Activities

Depending on the amount of room available and where the party is held, there are a number of 1950s inspired activities to choose from. With minimal space, you can let guests play with hula-hoops or lip sync to 1950s music classics.

You can watch classic "I Love Lucy" episodes or listen to classic radio comedies available from www.Radiospirits.com Alternatively, set the tone of a drive-in movie using cardboard cutouts of movie stars and have speakers set at each table. Activate your imagination and the sky is the limit.

Tea tasting will be, of course, a primary activity. Black teas were most common during the 1950s, so consider offering a variety of these teas. Offer unique blends of black teas that your guests may not be familiar with. But be sure to serve an herbal option those wishing to avoid caffeine.

You can have a lot of fun with the origins of teas. Until the Korean War, the U.S. imported most of its black tea from India. During and after the war, Argentina became as primary source. Offer your guests a wide range of black teas from around the world. They may be surprised at the selection!

Decorations

Decorations can be done quite easily as well. For example, you can create a "sock hop" theme with a few lights and a "jukebox." Add some posters of 1950s icons and you're good to go! With a few low-cost decorations, you can create a theme for any inspiration from the period, such as bowling balls and bins decorating the sides of the room, toy cars from the time, or even a "homey" feel giving the room a "Leave it to Beaver" flair.

Many party stores have cutout figures of jukeboxes and 1950s icons, which can be fun to place around the party and are affordable. You can also use any of the 1950s inspired clothing and shoes as decoration. Simple "home" decorations can also be included, as the 1950s Americana focused on family values. Depending on your budget, you may be able to pick-up some great 1950s furniture at thrift stores or flea markets.

Music

There is a lot of wonderful music to choose from! A 1950s compilation may be the simplest, but other suggestions include Elvis Presley, Connie Francis, Mary Wells, Patsy Cline, the Supremes, Debbie Reynolds, Bill Haley and the Comets, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry...the list goes on! The activities of your party will influence music selections. If you're hosting dance hop, then some of the popular "pop" songs of the day are good choices. If you're using music for background, then anything from the 1950s will work.

Invitation Ideas

With "retro" a hot theme these days, it is possible to find invitations that have some type of 1950s reference, whether it is a sock-hop theme, jukebox, or poodle skirt. These can be a fun way to get people's attention and are affordable.

Foods

Think Betty Crocker and soda fountains! Many of the primary foods served in the 1950s were traditional meat and potato style meals. Barbecue was also big. These foods may be a bit heavy for a tea party, so consider using scaled-down appetizers. If you don't want to make a big fuss, consider the sweet route; many candies that were popular in the 1950s can be found today, such as wax lips, Necco wafers, licorice snaps, and bubble gum.

Also, think about ways to get creative when serving teas, such as using tall sundae dishes or mugs. While Chai teas were not the custom of the time, they can make a great presentation in a sundae dish.

Creativity is the key to any successful tea party and a 1950's theme is just the same. Take these ideas and run with them, let your imagination go wild and be sure to email me with your 1950s fun.

by Lady Dawnya Sasse (C) Tea Events 2006

(C) Dawnya Sasse - 2006

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lady Dawnya Sasse, is author of the world's first online tea business programs entitled "Start a Tea Business" (TM) and "Start A Children's Tea Party Business." (TM) To learn more about her online classes and to sign up for her FREE Tea Radio(TM) Broadcasts visit her site at www.TeaEvents.com See Also Start a Tea Business.

Kids Tea Party - Theme- "Best Friend"

Theme Ideas For This Party We recommend

Fill a pretty vase with fresh or silk flowers or use a straw hat decorated with silk or real flowers for a centerpiece.

If you are making the petit fours use them for a centerpiece laying fresh flowers around the serving plate
Take one of the napkins and fold it fan style. Holding it together in the middle, tie a pretty ribbon around the middle then tuck in silk flowers. Repeat with other napkin.
See Napkin Folding

Select the foods to serve and write down the needed ingredients on your shopping list. See our Menu list for ideas.

Activity Idea
Since this is just you and a best friend, it is a perfect time for your secret girl talk. Sharing secrets as well as your fears, dreams, hopes and goals will bring you even closer.

You might want to ask her to bring her diary and then take turns sharing some of the things you have written in your diaries.

Make friendship bracelets and or necklaces

Another idea is to make this a late evening tea party and have a sleepover as part of your party. Serve hot cocoa for your beverage and perhaps limit the amount of sweets served to only one of the suggested menu items.

Tea Party Supplies
Teas, sugar tongs, tea spoons and more...

Credit goes to this site:
http://www.he-and-she.com/TeaParty/friends.html