What happens at a tea party?

Originally, in a tea party, loose leaf tea was provided in a teapot along with milk and sugar. Variety of food including sandwiches, scones, cakes, pastries and biscuits were served alongside tea in a tiered arrangement. Food served in tea parties was according to a particular season.

What traditionally happens at a tea party?

It involves tea served in a fine china cup and saucer, scones with clotted cream and jam, small watercress and cucumber sandwiches (without crusts) and bite-sized cakes and sweets.

What activities do you do at a tea party?

What do you do at a high tea party?

Choose the food and drinks:

Try a variation of finger foods and mini tea sandwiches that can all be made ahead. For traditional crustless tea sandwiches, try fillings like egg salad, chicken salad, smoked salmon, or cucumber slices.

What do ladies do at a tea party?

Along with purchasing several flavors of teas and making some finger foods, organize some games to help make your guests feel at ease and keep the conversation rolling. Board games, croquet, cards and badminton are fine ideas for a ladies' tea party, but you can also plan some games they may have never played before.

How To Throw A Tea Party - Afternoon Tea

What foods are served at a tea party?

In addition to finger sandwiches, some tea party menus include other savories, such as savory scones, soups, quiches or lighter savory snacks, like seasoned nuts or cheese and crackers. If you are throwing a themed tea party, careful selection of other savories can help add to your theme.

What is the dress code for high tea?

A dress or skirt is always a good choice for high tea. If you're wearing a dress or skirt, make sure it is at least knee-length. A blouse or lightweight sweater is an excellent choice to wear with a skirt. Pants or trousers can be worn to high tea, just avoid denim, leggings, and overly casual pant styles.

What do you need for a tea party?

You will need a teapot, cups, and saucers in order to serve tea to your guests. Buy a tea strainer and use a small dish to collect used tea leaves. You can also serve a pitcher of milk, lemon slices, honey and sugar. Make sure you have enough small plates, napkins, and utensils if you are serving food.

What is high tea etiquette?

The correct order to enjoy the food that accompanies afternoon tea is savory to sweet: sandwiches first, then scones, and sweets last. You can use your fingers to eat all three courses. To eat a scone, you simply break it in half with your fingers.

What is a tea party game?

Tea Party Games For Adults

Serve them to blindfolded players and have them guess what flavor of tea each one is. Keep score on the amount each player gets right, or eliminate them if they guess incorrectly. This game goes on until there is only one player left.

What is commonly included in an afternoon tea?

“ Afternoon tea is a British tradition that dates back to the early 1840s. Traditional afternoon tea is composed of sandwiches (usually finger sandwiches) scones served with clotted cream and jam and a selection of sweet pastries and cakes to finish. All of which is served with a pot or two of tea.

Why do ladies have tea parties?

In the 18th century, it was custom for highborn ladies to receive callers with their morning tea while still lounging in bed.

Do guys go to tea parties?

Historically, afternoon tea was considered to be a ladies' social occasion, and it is more often enjoyed by women than men to this day.

How long do tea parties last?

Ideally, your tea party should last around two to three hours, but this variable will ultimately depend on the type of crowd you've invited. Children may want to stay a bit longer, but an event that's too long can lead to a tantrum or two.

How do adults plan a tea party?

Can you serve coffee at a tea party?

Even though its a tea party, you should serve coffee for the coffee drinkers. You may also serve hot chocolate. The cups and saucers are placed at the left of the tray, from the viewpoint of the person pouring the tea.

What should you not wear to a tea party?

Any kind of semi-formal, colorful dress will work. Leave your little black dress in your closet for this occasion—black clothes of any kind aren't usually appropriate for a tea party.

What's the difference between afternoon tea and high tea?

Delectable scones, tea sandwiches, and cakes are the hallmark of an afternoon tea, which is served in midafternoon. A high tea, however, includes much more substantive fare, such as meat, fish, and egg dishes, as well as breads and desserts, and is offered in the early evening.

Can I wear pants to a tea party?

And though the aforementioned styles work well for afternoon tea, you don't have to wear a dress or skirt to be “smart casual.” Dress pants or stylish slacks can provide another stylish option to wear to your afternoon tea. Just make sure they are tailored well, fit properly and are suited for the season.

How do you do an English tea party?

What kind of bread is best for tea sandwiches?

What is the best bread to use for tea sandwiches? Most of the fillings call for a soft white bread, while stronger flavors like smoked salmon pair nicely with a stronger bread like pumpernickel. Whole wheat bread is perfectly acceptable but the main thing is to use fresh bread, nothing approaching stale.

What do you serve guests with tea?