Afternoon tea is a way of life in England; however, there’s no reason the tradition can’t be emulated in your neck of the woods. Or even better—your garden. With spring in the air and temperatures on the rise, why not throw caution to the wind and host a tea party of your own?
Whether you are sipping with your sisters, friends, neighbors, or you are looking for a kid-friendly activity to keep your children busy in the great outdoors, some of these ideas may come in handy:
Etiquette: While you don’t have to adhere to the strict formality of a High tea, you might consider leaving little etiquette cards on your guests’ seats which remind them of simple polite gestures such as friendly greetings, napkin placement, the correct order of eating what is presented on a tea tray, proper spoon manipulation and placement, and of course, correct holding of the tea cup.
Menu: Traditional High tea consists of meat, potatoes, and tea while Low tea includes sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, sweets and tea. If you are hosting the party for youngsters keep the menu simple by offering an array of desserts as well as some finger foods, such as fruit kabobs or pinwheel sandwiches.
For Kids: Tea-themed parties for kids can include dolls, teddy bears or other stuffed animals that your young guests may want to bring along to enjoy the festivities. In addition, a tea party is a great place for kids to make a fashion statement. Gather old dresses, hats, jewelry and purses and make the party a reason to dress-up. To keep your young guests entertained have them decorate cupcakes or cookies. Another option is to have them dance to “I’m a Little Tea Pot” or have story time with Miss Spider’s Tea Party or Pinkalicious.
Related Articles:
Ways to Make Summer Entertaining Fun