Late For Tea! Hosting a Tea Party

Alice and the Mad Hatter may think they can host a tea party, but they got nothing on you! Who says that we have to stop playing tea party wen we grow up! In celebration of Mother’s Day, you could host a fun grown up tea party for your mother or for you and your friends! Something as simple as tea can be taken to a whole new level for a party! Planning a tea party is the fun part because there are so many details that really for me bring back memories of being a little girl having tea with my stuffed animals! The beauty of the details you take the time to put into a tea party will take your guest on a ride back to their childhood!

Not only is tea so incredibly good for you, there are so many different flavors to choose from! When hosting a tea party, i is better to have a few different types of tea so your guest can pick and choose which tea is right for them! One of the most common teas is of course Black Tea which has a bold rich flavor that goes well with a little milk, sugar, or even on its own! For a more gentler tea, try Green Tea! This tea has a soft flavor that is great with a little honey! For a morning tea party, I would use Earl Grey Tea which is also similar to English Breakfast tea. This tea is quite strong with a bold flavor; serve it with lemon slices to cut through the bold flavor and add some sweetness! If you are having more of a pastoral theme party, serve up something special like Jasmine Tea which usually comes in little “pearls” that are buds that bloom once they are submerged into hot water. This tea has a slight floral taste that is very sweet, not to mention the praise you will receive from your guests oohing and awing about the beauty of this tea! You can also decide between providing tea in bags or loose tea in tea pots.

Next for your tea party you want to make sure you have a tea set! There are a couple of different ways to do this: you could certainly go out and buy an actual set that consists of a matching tea pot and cups. I prefer to have this party look a little more vintage so I go to antique stores or consignment stores and find mismatched cups and tea pots. The key here is to find corresponding colors and patterns that are not from the same set but look all put together! You will actually save money if you take this route as well and I am absolutely in love with the vintage cups below! Whichever route you choose to take, make sure your set reflects your unique personality and style!

When it comes to setting up your table, you want to make sure you keep it light and fresh! For example, you could have it outside and decorate with the flowers from your garden. Whatever is in blooming at the time is what you should feature and don’t be afraid to mix and match!

Keeping in the spirit of Alice in Wonderland, have fun desserts and treats for your guests to choose from! I love the place setting below of the “Drink Me” bottle with a name tag as well as the “Eat Me” cookies and cupcakes! You could also make shortbread or sugar cookies cut into the shape of tea bags and dipped in chocolate keeping with the “Tea” theme! If you provide some sweets and treats hat are unique and fun your guests will appreciate the work you put into making this tea party special and sweet!

 

Here is a little something special I want to share with you: Lavender Tea Cookies! I know it sounds a little weird, but keeping in the spirit of the garden tea party, try these cookies that contain lavender bits baked inside and garnished with lavender flowers! The floral flavor mingles well with the sugar in the dough and you will have your guest begging for more!

Lavender Tea Cookies

Ingredients

  • 5/8 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon lavender flowers
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup colored sugar for decoration (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon lavender flowers
 Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
  2. Cream together the butter and sugar. Beat the egg, and blend into the butter and sugar. Mix in the lavender flowers and the flour. Drop batter by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets.
  3. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Remove cookies to cooling racks and  let them cool completely.
  4. Decorate with a glaze, frosting, or decorative sugar and garnish with additional lavender flowers if desired.

So there you have t! The perfect ingredients for your very own tea party! Whether it be for two or twenty, your tea party will be a breath of fresh air for yourself and your guests! So start steeping your tea, get outside, and enjoy your garden and friends with a fresh cup!

~ <3