A Victorian tea party would be the most elegant of all. Everything in Victorian times was done in luxury. So break out your grandmother’s china, silver, crystal, and serving pieces. The more elegant, the better. Of course, if you have a truly prized possession that would break your heart if it were damaged, don’t wear it to the party. Accidents happen! Before you get your house ready and your food ready, you need to send out invitations.

INVITATION OF IDEAS

There are so many options here. With today’s computer programs you can make some beautiful ones at home. Tuck real tea bags into the invitation. Maybe make some out of paper doilies and scrapbooking supplies.

DECORATION AND SERVICE

You want to make the house as beautiful as possible. Fresh flowers are a must, use them everywhere. I had a birthday tea in early June and put vases of peonies everywhere, they are beautiful. Use traditional vases or teapots that no longer have lids. Sometimes you can find them at a bargain price since they don’t have a lid anymore! Use candles both candles and scattered votive candles or tea lights. I use some of those fancy shaped Christmas lights that are now being sold in all sorts of shapes. I have some heart pretty ones and some flower ones and even some dragonfly lights (those are for the fairy tea party – see my page on fairy tea parties) Play soft music in the background. There are even tea party music CDs you can buy. For tablecloths, try lace or damask. Scatter silk rose petals on your table. Use real linen or fancy paper napkins. I found some monogrammed napkins in an antique store in California last year. I guess they were cheap because not many people have an “O” monogram.

To serve pieces, you will need at least some of the following

Silver Or China Teapot

Sugar and Cream

Salt and pepper shakers

Pitcher of water

Various serving trays

Tole Tray

Chinese serving dishes

Silver pieces to serve

glass serving pieces

glass plates

glass bowls

Cutlery

pedestal cake plates

Porcelain or china teacups

Pretty dishes (mix and match is fine)

Jar for serving jam or jelly

Small or fancy spoons

You don’t need to spend a lot of money. You can find great deals at your local thrift stores, flea markets, and antique malls. Mix & Match is definitely fine for teacups and saucers. Even mismatched sets are fine. Some have been given to me, but most come from real estate sales or second-hand stores. I have at least 24 cups and saucers to mix and match.

I love pedestal cake plates or tiered serving pieces. I have several that I bought at the Salvation Army. I bought an antique hobnail pie plate for $1. It has a repair on the pedestal part, but I cover it with the appropriate fancy tape! Make sure you use plenty of scented candles, get creative with your candle holders. Use paper or taffeta doily under or over the serving pieces. Be sure to have a good tumbler or glass handy for the water. Maybe not all your guests drink tea.

To use for serving sugar or with cups of tea, or as party favors, be sure to check out some of the small spoons I sell. Aren’t they sweet? Tie them to a tea bag with a small satin ribbon and you have a lovely tea party favor. If you can find some bargains, give each guest a fancy cup of tea to take home.

DELICIOUS FOOD TO SERVE

Offer your guests a variety of tea flavors. He left them outside in a lined basket. It’s also fun to use decorated sugar cubes and sugar flip flops!

TEA SNACKS

There are many varieties of tea sandwiches that you can serve. Try to find a firmer style of bread, cut off the crust and cut the sandwiches diagonally so you have 2 triangle sandwiches or 4 for slightly smaller sandwiches. Cucumber sandwiches have long been a tradition at tea parties. This is a simple one that everyone likes. Simply spread softened cream cheese on bread and top with thinly sliced ​​cucumbers. Easy. For a fall or Christmas tea, try the turkey and cranberry sauce sandwiches. Use your favorite egg salad or chicken salad recipe. try adding sliced ​​almonds to your chicken salad recipe, yum! For other fillings you can use watercress, tomatoes, cheese, cold cuts, smoked salmon or ham salad. For kids, spread softened cream cheese on bread and top with jam, cut with cookie cutter. On top of the sandwich, spread just a little softened cream cheese and sprinkle with sprinkles.

SCONES BISCUITS BISCUITS AND CAKES

You can’t have a Victorian tea party without scones. You can find a variety of bun recipes on the Internet. I have also used scone mixes before. If you have a Panera Bread Store in your area, they have wonderful orange scones. You may want to have traditional devonshire cream, lemon curd or jelly or jams for your scones and biscuits.

Lemon Curd Recipe:

• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup salted butter
• 1 cup of sugar

Mix melted butter and sugar. Add the well beaten eggs and lemon juice. Place it in a water bath or over boiling water. Stir continuously for 15 minutes or until thickened. Let cool and refrigerate. It will keep for about 2 weeks.

Traditional Tea Cake Recipe:

• 4 cups of flour
• 1 cup of butter
• 2 egg yolks, beaten
• Milk
• 1 egg white, beaten
• 1/4 cup sugar
• caraway seeds

Mix all the ingredients, mix to a paste with a little warm milk, cover with a cloth and let sit for about an hour in a warm place. Stretch the cuts with a round or shaped cutter and bake on a lightly oiled or sprayed pan at 350 degrees until golden brown. For other treats, serve a variety of breads, cakes, and cookies. Serve slices of banana bread, shortbread, your favorite holiday cookies, ladybugs, lemon cookies or biscuits, orange cake, peach or strawberry tarts or tarts, petit fors, applesauce pie, brownies or fudge. sugar cake, carrot cake, gingerbread or tiny cupcakes

TEA PARTY THEMES

Do you need an excuse to have a Victorian tea party? The next time you throw a hen or baby shower, make it a tea party, a birthday party for a friend, a Christmas tea is always beautiful. Host one for your ladies group at church or ladies Bible study. Celebrate an anniversary, invite your grandma or granddaughters, let your girl invite her friends over for a dress up day! Combine a tea party with an etiquette class, host a summer garden tea party, and of course there’s always Valentine’s Day, my favourite. Be sure to check out my website for tea accessories and tea party favors!