Celebrating Valentine with Tea Party

The 14th of February is celebrated as the day of love and affection, across the globe. But aren't we all just fed up with those boring candle lit dinners and heart themed formal events? Believe it or not, but the day of love is a great time to host your very own Valentine's Day tea party. From fun filled craft projects to delectable dishes, you can have it all!

Every great party begins with a thought that manifests into a well-organized plan. For your very own tea party, you can start off by creating some customized invitations and decorations. But you need to make sure that your invitation cards have very earthy and organic notes.

Next, you can take some time off to master your table manners and your tea drinking skills. Remember that, in some cultures, the very concept of tea drinking is an art in itself. Once, you have your basic ingredients in place. You can start warming the pot. In other words, you need to get your menu in place and gather all the required ingredients. For the fun factor, at your tea party, you can choose some entertaining games and craft projects.

A Valentine's Day tea party can be a beautiful tradition. But some years you may find it hard to keep up with this elaborate style. But don't lose hope, for you can always keep it simple, with the help of a few dainty hearts, some cookies, chocolates and a whole lot off exotic teas. Hope these whimsical ideas, inspire and entice you!

Present below is a list of a few teatime treats and delicacies. These tiny appetizers will definitely give your tea party a healthy and wholesome boost.

1. First and foremost, a good quality tea is most essential! You can always try out the Earl Grey for its herbal, yet modest tones will soothe the harshest of palates.
2. Next, you can bring out that warm and nourishing cream soup with some homemade heart-shaped tea sandwiches. If you do have some more free time, then you can put in those extra hours and create some wonderful and unique fresh scones that can be served with sweetened jams, sweet mini strawberry tarts and even delicate Valentine petite fours.
3. If you want to become a professional Valentine's Day tea party host, then you need to remember that flavored tea should always be served before any food item. This must always be kept in mind, for flavored teas do not always compliment certain cuisines. For instance, this rule must strictly be applied to scones and sandwiches.

The great thing about any Valentine's Day tea party is that the menu is extremely simple and most importantly it can be made ahead of time. So on the day of your highly anticipated party, all you have to do is put on your fanciest clothes and be on your best behavior. Enjoy your well earned, scrumptious food items beautifully laid out table. Enjoy the day and have a blast!

Spend Your Time with Tea Party

What else could be the best way to spend a long lazy afternoon than enjoying a tea party with your dear friends and family? Tea parties are suitable for all age groups; everyone from children to adults will enjoy the opportunity to snack, talk and drink tea. Whether you are planning to throw a formal party or simply host a casual get-together, tea parties are a fantastic solution for all occasions.

You can throw tea parties at any place, but nothing beat a green, grassy lawn on a warm spring day, the perfect place to host family and friends and enjoy the weather. If you are planning your tea party during the spring you can tastefully decorate the table with seasonal flowers to give elegant touch to your party. Whatever teh reason for the event make sure that your tea time table is adorned with best crockery, cutlery and linen. Decorate your tea table with a centerpiece made from fresh flowers and it's the perfect spot for your pot of tea and all your tea related accessories.

Choosing a snack is a typical task - make sure that your tea time menu has savory as well as sweet items. Cucumber mint tea sandwiches, Madeleine and raisin scones are most popular tea party items. You can pick different kind of sandwiches. Now people prefer vegetarian sandwiches like asparagus logs, pineapple nut tea sandwiches or traditional egg salad sandwiches, tuna salad sandwiches your tea party will be incomplete without cream cheesy sandwiches.

For making delicious sandwiches use good quality bread, it should be properly trimmed at the edges, thinly sliced and cut it into small pieces. A proper tea party is a fantastic way to spend time with family and friends, or to simply relax on a nice spring afternoon!

The Journey of Tea Party

Nothing retains the luster of childhood more than a tea party. In the social infancy of our youth we set our tables, put out the perfect set of dishes – commonly small and plastic at that innocent time in our life – and invited all our friends; who if not imaginary were stuffed and furry. We took tea in the realm of fantasy where princes and princesses danced the night away at royal balls and fairies appointed the room with their magic dust.

Today’s tea party – while not so grandiose – still offers its own gift of whimsy. The adult version of this elegant ritual includes real china, fragrant tea, delicious sandwiches and pastries, and company of the human kind. Depending on the culture, the tea party takes many forms – a social ceremony, a reverent custom, a romantic offering, or a daily gathering.

Whatever its purpose, the tea party can be as extravagant or simple, formal or casual as you desire. In any case, tea party guests should always be made to feel special. A carefully chosen tablecloth, beautiful linens, or an heirloom teapot will go a long way towards making your tea party special.

While many use tea bags to brew their tea, loose tea can augment taste and presentation. The addition of strainers or loose tea balls can really make just having tea into a tea party.

Be sure to offer small tea spoons, sugar, milk, honey, and lemon. Additionally, some tea sandwiches or small pastries will really bring your tea party to the next level.

A tea party can be an opportunity to stop for a moment and revisit the simple things in life. That which brought us such joy as children can most certainly be recaptured amidst a beautiful table with delightful delicacies.

But no matter what the offerings – or the occasion – a tea party can be a wonderful way to gather with friends and share a unique experience; no matter what your age.

Elegant Tea Party

Consider some tea party ideas that bring back the grace and elegance of the past, with a modern twist. The different types of tea services allow for variety and fun. The increased interest in tea as a healthy drink alternative has fueled a growing love of tea and tea parties.

Let's take a look at the different types of tea services. Having a tea party is a great way to gather with friends and enjoy the same pleasures and experiences of days gone by. It is a great way to open your home and extend your hand in friendship, create memories and experience the finer and more refined aspects of an era of not long ago.
The Afternoon Tea is probably the most popular and familiar type of tea party. This tea consists of crust less tea sandwiches, scones, clotted cream and preserves and a rich and delectable dessert. It is served between 3 pm and 5 pm. It may be a very formal event, or a casual event depending on the hostess and her wishes.

The informal afternoon tea encourages everyone to mingle. The food served is generally eaten without the use of utensils. Afternoon tea was a way for individuals to enjoy luscious treats and enjoy and partake in conversation and games.

Tea dances evolved from the afternoon teas. These dances allowed young women to meet potential mates and possibly marry.

Cream Tea is casual tea, often a gathering of a few for just a snack such as scones and preserves.
Celebrate spring or summer with a Strawberry tea. This is a morning or mid afternoon tea where strawberries are served with whipped cream and sugar.

Have you ever heard of a Sportsman's tea? This is a tea that is served outdoors like a picnic. It can be as casual and formal as you choose. Iced tea is usually served at these events as it is cool and refreshing after any strenuous activity. The menu for this type of event would include picnic type fare and desserts.

Full Tea is a tea in which you serve four courses. This afternoon tea is planned to occur in the late afternoon. The menu would include a savory dish, such as a hearty soup or quiche, followed by an assortment of crust less tea sandwiches. Scones, clotted cream, lemon curd and preserves are offered as a third course. Dessert for the finale may be a trifle or a rich dessert.

High tea is usually served as a replacement for the dinner meal. The menu includes several meat dishes, hot or cold, meat pies, salad, bread, biscuits, cheeses and fruit. The meal would end with a variety of desserts and sweets. High tea is usually served at a table with the guest seated.

Royal tea is tea served with champagne or sherry added to the menu. Four courses are served and the champagne is served at the beginning of the meal and sherry at the end with dessert.

Having a tea party can include dressing to suit the occasion. Many individuals are planning tea parties for everything from bridal showers to weddings. Tea parties can have a theme from period garb for a fun dress up day to a casual gathering with friends.

When looking for tea party ideas consider the different types of tea services and plan your event around your theme. In days gone by, tea parties were social gatherings that were meant to spend time enjoying food and the company of others. In today's modern world we are busy, rushed and stressed. Taking a few hours of leisure time to enjoy eating and conversation is a luxury. Be the talk of your circle of friends and have an updated version of an old tradition. You will be glad you did.

Blooming Teas

Are you about to have a tea party? If so, you have the opportunity to captivate your guests with display teas. If you are a very serious tea drinker, you will know what display teas are. These specialty types of teas are also known as artesian or flowering teas. Meant to enhance the experience of the wonderful drink of tea, display teas provide entertainment at tea parties all around the world.

The art of display teas has been around for thousands of centuries. The very first time that a display tea was used was during the Song Dynasty. Tea leaves were tied up with flowers for the Emperor’s entertainment. He never drank the tea, however. It was merely a visual enjoyment.

Display teas have only been made for consumption purposes during the last few decades. Artists who have a great amount of talent pick out lovely flowers and long tealeaves. These tealeaves are then withered, rolled up, oxidized, and fired. Artists then take great care to sew the flowers and the tea together. The result produced is beautiful display teas.

Many display teas are hand-sewn rosettes of tea leaves that, when steeped, bloom into dazzling and elegant shapes right inside your teapot. What an excellent conversational piece for a tea party! Your guests will be absolutely delighted with such a treat. Different display teas have all different types of tastes – from sweet to rich and from subtle to bold.

Now that you know what display teas are, let’s take a closer look at some types of these teas look and taste like. One type of popular display tea is Queen Victoria Flower tea. This type of tea is from China, and is flavored with Chrysanthemum. There are several blooms that are enclosed in the flower, and during steeping they are released. Imagine the soft, flowery taste of this enchanting tea delighting all of the guests at your party.

Another type of display tea is Jasmine Silver Balls. This is also a type of tea from China. Very light green in color, it has a delicate Jasmine flavoring to it. These tea balls are hand rolled and hand- tied. When steeped, they open up into a flower-like blossom.

Black Sea Anemone is another fine display tea that is made in China. It hails from the province of Anhui. Black Sea Anemone is crafted into tiny wheels, with each wheel containing about two hundred hand-tied buds. When these buds are infused with water, the leaves blossom out into the shape of sea anemones.

Black Sea Anemone happens to be a black tea; however, it is nearly impossible to over-steep. It can be steeped for over five minutes without becoming bitter! Furthermore, it can be infused over and over again. It is sure to be an exciting drink for your guests to taste!

Display teas, in general, can be brewed longer and do not become bitter when they have an extended steeping. Longer brewing time will also allow you to enjoy the flowers and other shapes opening up in your pot.

Planning a Successful Tea Party

A few times a year, I like to plan and host a tea party for a few of my closest girlfriends.

What exactly is a tea party? A tea party is a social gathering at which tea and light refreshments are served. This social gathering is usually held during the mid-morning or mid-afternoon hours.

When it comes to hosting a party, you will need to make your plans 3-4 weeks in advance. Here are the things that you need to plan for.

Date and Time - You will need to choose a day and time. This social gathering typically lasts for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Location - You can hold the gathering at your own home (indoors or outdoors) or find a relaxing location such as your local country club or Garden Park.

Theme - What kind of theme would you like for your party? You could do a mother and daughter, school friends, neighbors, co-workers or a moms/grandmothers theme.

Invitations - Your invitations should fit the theme of your party. They need to include all of the necessary information such as: Who, What, When and Where. Your invitations should be mailed out to your guests 2 weeks before the party date.

Supplies - What kind of supplies will you need? You will need: a variety of teas, food, teapots, tea kettle, teacups, tea bag holders, sugar, creamers, demitasse spoons, dessert plates, silverware, serving plates, napkins and a lace tablecloth.

Food - The food that you serve during a tea party should be on the light side. Scones, muffins, pastries, fancy cookies, tarts, biscotti and small sandwiches work best. You could also offer a full-size dessert cake, chocolate covered fruits and chocolate truffles.

Teas - You should serve your guests a variety of teas. Black teas are the most popular here in North America followed by green teas. In addition to your teas, offer some accompaniments such as creamer, milk, sugar, sugar substitutes, lemon and honey.

These are the main steps that you will need to take to have a successful tea party. The most important part is to make it enjoyable, fun and stress-free, for you and your guests.

Victorian Tea Party

A Victorian tea party expresses elegance and grace. When hosting a tea party, whether a little girls birthday party to a bridal shower or even a wedding a Victorian tea party can fit into every budget.

In the 1800's one of Queen Victoria's ladies in waiting started having tea and petite sandwiches served to in late afternoon. Dinner in those days was served very late in the evening. Soon, Anna, Duchess of Bedford began having friends over to share her afternoon meal.

To prepare for a Victorian tea, consider making homemade invitations use lace or paper doilies to add a decorative touch. Of course, the invitations should be written in a calligraphy font. If you are an individual that has the ability to hand address or hand write each invitation in calligraphy this would add an authentic touch.

Nothing makes a Victorian tea party more fun than dressing in the theme of the era. The Victorian fashion era included beautiful bonnets and gloves. Dresses were layered and corsets were worn to enhance the female figure. Women wore their hair in an up sweep and high collars. They decorated their lace collars and necklines with cameo pins.

Folded fans were a very popular and important fashion accessory. In fact, the afternoon teas of the era eventually turned in to tea dances where women met potential future husbands. In fact, the folded fan and different gestures by the female that held the fan communicated messages to the potential suitor.

Victorian females were usually naturalists and loved to garden. When hosting a tea party, consider flowers, lots of flowers! A garden party is a great venue for a Victorian tea party.

If flowers are not an option, it is not necessary to have a centerpiece. In Victorian days, a lace tablecloth was used and the food was the main attraction.

Tea party food should be placed in the middle of the serving table and the tea service should be placed on one end. A coffee service, optional, would be placed at the other end.

The best part of a Victorian tea party is you can plan a party on your budget. Tea cups do not have to match. In fact mismatched tea cups make the table look quite charming. If you cannot afford or do not have a lace tablecloth, use paper doilies to get the affect you are trying to accomplish.

Linen or lace napkins are a nice touch, but when they are not in your budget, purchase the nicer quality paper napkins and roll them up and tie them with a pretty ribbon and some baby breath and a small flower. It is also acceptable to use a mix and match of linen napkins and place mats. This adds a whimsical effect to your Victorian theme.

Have teapots and a variety of different teas available for your guests. Make sure you have herbal tea choices for those individuals that are concerned about their caffeine intake. Make sure to have sugar cubes and tongs, lemon wedges and milk to put into the tea.

Traditional tea party food would include tea sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, and lemon curd, and a variety of petite pastries: tea breads, muffins and small cookies.

It is also important to set the mood for the party with the right music. Victorian music near the end of the era became surprisingly versatile. In the early years piano music was very popular. In the later years, faster music from other parts of Europe became an influence so the polka, jig and waltz were popular.

When considering hosting a tea party, consider a Victorian tea party theme. It is a fun way to bring elegance and grace of past traditions into the present day. Give the gift of a special afternoon to your family and friends. You may enjoy it so much you will make it an ongoing family tradition.

Tea Parties Etiquette for Children

What better way to teach children proper etiquette than at a young age? We all know how proper manners are so important in becoming socially acceptable in our society. So how is the best way to teach this to children you ask? Research shows that kids learn the fastest when you make it a fun learning process, and children between the age of 2 and 5 are extremely receptive in learning manners and etiquette.

The most fun and efficient way I've found is to have children's tea parties with my own kids. It allows me to teach my children of the proper place setting positions that even we as adults sometimes get confused. This in turn will give our kids more confidence and better social behavior when they mature and become adults.

Before the tea party starts, allow the kids to be seated then show them the proper placements for the utensils. For example, the plate is in the middle, the tea cups and saucers are on the right, knights and spoons are on the right, and fork and napkin on the left side. Show them how to properly place a napkin on their laps and get them to check their posture and seating position by making an example of yourself. No slouching!

Now on to the next step. Using yourself as an example again, pick up your tea cup and introduce yourself formally and politely to the children at the table, and have them follow your example in turns. At the same time you can teach them on politeness by using the words " please ", " excuse me ", and " thank-you ". This will be the time when you can point out to them that they should not be talking with their mouths full or slurping their tea etc..

Show them how to properly pass food around the table and how to only take one item from the plate at once, rather than many, and how to politely decline an offer with a simple "No, thank-you".

Children all respond very well to compliments and praise, so let them know and encourage them when they show good manner at the table. In order to turn kids into refined mature adults, constant gentle reminders are the key. You should also show them by example on how to thank the host of the party for a great meal, and how to greet, take coats, and also serve appetizers to their guests. Remember that good manners and proper etiquette applies on and also off the dining table.

After the tea party, award each child with a little certificate that you've created for completing the etiquette course successfully, as this just helps remind them on what they've learned on the day. As mentioned before, kids love compliments ( and so do adults )!