Marie (no url) asked today: I was just asked this past Sunday to host a tea party for the ladies at our church. I came across your website via Google and very glad I did! I have no experience whatsoever with tea parties and your tips are very helpful. But what if I don’t have tea cups and saucers for 20 women? Would it be too tacky to have 20 different cups/saucer sets?
Marie, not only is it not tacky, I recommend it! Teacups are unique and add to the drama of the table when they are not all the same. The tea party with matching teacups is usually only found at the formal hotel tea or with professional caterers of large parties that buy their stock in lots. Sometimes for events such as yours the guests are asked to bring a favorite teacup and share its history as in, “This was the one item my grandmother saved from her house fire that Grandpa didn’t make her sell during the Depression”, etc.
It is best to have the cup match its saucer unless you’re a little girl inviting your stuffed animals to the event, however.
I’m so glad you found Tea Party Girl helpful! Be sure to come back and share how your event goes (went?).
If you received this month’s copy of Teatime Magazine, you were treated to the article, A Fine Legacy, filled with pictures and descriptions of each of the ten teacups representing the past ten decades of Royal Albert China. Royal Albert is part of Royal Doulton, with Old Country Roses as probably its most famous pattern. Personally, I went nuts over one of the decades’ cups. I thought the pattern was perfectly “me”. I’ll tell you which one is my favorite in a minute. (Mom, I bet you can guess). I’m curious how YOU would answer. As one who believes strongly in the value of learning our own personal style, I appreciate the variety of choices represented in these ten teacups.
Here’s a link to the choices. Be sure to scroll down. Take a look and then come back and click on the poll below. It’s fun to read a little about British history during your decade of choice. And feel free to leave a comment and tell us your favorite as well. While I wait to hear from you, I’ll be checking to see if any of the Polka Rose is showing up on eBay yet. Darling! Unfortunately, the website doesn’t do the color justice as represented in the print magazine.
Today I spent some time flipping through the Stash Tea catalog and found myself asking, “What would I recommend for my readers to purchase?” The catalog is only one example of a listing that includes some basic items the tea lover might want to have on hand. I offer these recommendations as a starting point for the tea drinker who wants to serve tea to themselves and others.
Tea Party Girl’s Everyday Teapots
The Teapot–Do you own a teapot? They don’t have to be expensive. In fact, I recommend purchasing a plain-colored pot and covering it with a decorative tea cozy for warmth. For everyday, I use two different teapots depending on how much tea I want to brew (one holds 42 ounces and one holds 24 ounces). They’re in colors I like that fit in my home, but were made with simple ceramic. I save the fancy one that came with my husband’s great-aunt’s china for the couple a year sit-down tea parties I host. DON’T confuse the teapot with the teakettle. I know a woman who thought they were one in the same and used the teapot to boil the water on her stove. She ruined grandmother’s teapot by burning out the bottom. The Teacup and Saucer–Start by finding one just for you. Then add another for offering a friend. Then add two more at a time to build up a collection that matches your hospitality. If you are beginning to enjoy drinking tea like the English, start small. The teacup and saucers do not have to match each other. I don’t even use a saucer with my favorite thin-lipped mug that I drink from throughout the day. However, when I serve tea to others or drink tea in the evening to wind down, my favorite cups and saucers are within easy reach.
Tea Party Girl’s Everyday Cups and Saucers. Can you guess which one says, “Made in China?”
The Sugar Bowl and Milk Pitcher–Many people, Americans and children especially, love to fill their tea with milk and sugar. While my goal is to teach people to try the tea first and refrain from pouring in the extras, I still offer the milk and sugar to my guests. Especially for tea drinking novices, they really enjoy pouring the milk from the little pitcher and using the tongs to add a lump or two. I think it helps people feel as if they’re experiencing the real thing. “No wonder our grandmothers did this everyday!” their eyes exclaim. Again, the sugar bowl and milk pitcher don’t have to match your other items. But it is ideal that they match each other. I tend to use my Mary Englebreit set when friends are over because it holds a larger quantity. I own a nicer set I inherited from my grandmother; but it’s fancier and once I chipped it, I held off from using it as often.
Tea Party Girl’s Milk and Sugar Sets
Speaking of chipped china, many people say use what you have everyday and if it breaks, it breaks! At least you had the pleasure of its use vs. keeping it stored away. I agree and disagree. Know what you own and its worth and make an informed decision. I have not been careful with some very nice things and regretted it, because I didn’t know what I was doing. Turn your tableware over. If it says “Made in China” it’s safe to chip, break, and throw in the dishwasher (though eat off of it at your own risk). But if it doesn’t, do a little research and learn where it came from and how much it would cost to replace. This is especially true for items that have been passed down to you. I wrecked some beautiful teacups of my husband’s grandmother because I had no idea what I’d been given and threw the dainty things in the dishwasher. AFTER they’d cracked, I looked up how much they cost to replace and found the price tags hovering around $100 per cup and saucer set. Ouch!
Any questions or thoughts? Which items do you already own? What do you want to invest in?
Linda (no url), recently left me the following question:
I hope you will answer this message and help me!
My daughters are hosting a baby shower tea party for their sister in May. I want to know the best and most appropriate way to set a buffet table for 20 people. I have teacups for each guest and assorted teapots. There is a formal dining room table and a server in the room that can be set-up. This sounded like such a pretty way to honor my daughter and her baby girl….I am now regretting the decision as I want it to be etiquettly (sic) as correct as possible.
I hope you can help me or direct me!
Thank you.
It’s such a good question and I quickly wrote Linda encouraging her not to regret her decision! A tea buffet is a simple and beautiful way to host a less formal tea gathering.
In fact, in many tea rooms I’ve visited, guests are encouraged to choose their own teacup before taking a seat. And remember, afternoon tea is not called high tea because it is traditionally served at low tables (like a coffee or tea table) instead of a high table (like the dining room table). Many teas are served from a buffet table.
Here are Tea Party Girl’s top six suggestions for serving a buffet tea:
Keep your food pretty, but simple. Serve nothing drippy, extra-hot (except the tea–more on that later!), or that requires cutting with a knife. Stick to tea sandwiches, scones, and bite-size desserts.
Stack salad-size plates for your guests to use for their finger foods. Guests should only have to carry the plate, a napkin, and a teacup with saucer.
As I have suggested before, serve only two teas-an herbal/decaf and a black tea of choice that you brew ahead. DO NOT put out a number of teabags for your guests to choose from and expect them to brew their own tea and deal with drippy teabags.
Stacked teacups (as seen in the picture above) are an appropriate way to conserve space at the buffet table. Appoint someone ahead of time the honor of pouring the tea for the guests. After offering the guests the two choices of tea, fill the teacup 2/3 full. This allows the tea to stay hot and gives them room for milk and sugar. Hand the teacup to the guest. REMEMBER~when serving tea do not separate the cup from the saucer, but always handle the cup from the saucer only.
It’s ideal for your guests to be able to sit by a low table within arms reach. If they are holding a teacup and a plate of goodies, they will need a place to set down one or the other, though they can possibly set their tea treat plate on their laps while holding their cup and saucer.
If you leave teapots on the buffet table for your guests to help themselves to another cup of tea, you must plan a way to keep the tea warm. This can be done through a carafe, tea cozy, or warmer. Again, the ideal is to appoint someone to make the tea in the kitchen and roam among the guests providing fresh and hot pours.
“If using a buffet table, use boxes under the tablecloth or three-tiered trays for visual height. Determine how you can incorporate your theme into the buffet’s decorations and provide plenty of serving utensils so people don’t have to use their fingers to select their items. And remember, no scented candles to interfere with the fragrance of the food and tea!”
Does that answer your question, Linda? Does anyone else have a question or advice to add regarding serving the tea party buffet-style? Please add your comment below.
Where I live in Northern California, clumps of daffodils trumpet spring’s arrival everywhere we look, walk, and drive. This morning I took two of my children to an abandoned nursery by our home filled with these flowers now growing wild. We picked two dozen for Grandma since it’s her birthday today. We added a simple ribbon around the stems and our simple gift was ready for its recipient.
Do you include flowers at the table when you plan a tea party or event? They also make a simple and beautiful hostess gift. Their freshness and simple intricacy provide a beauty to your tea table that cannot be replicated on the finest china. Flowers on the tea table can be used in a centerpiece, bud vase or as garnish. If the flower is placed near food, it is best to seek out organically-grown edible varieties. Examples of these include:
These flowers represent only a few of the dozens of varieties of edible flowers available to enhance your event. A complete list can be found here. (Notice daffodils are one of the no-nos for eating; they should only be used as a table, not a food, decoration.)
With spring nearly upon us, the Victorian language of flowerscould be used as a theme for your spring event. The Victorians practiced (at least in public) subtlety and decorum. Therefore, many elaborate codes were set-up to communicate with one another, especially the opposite gender. Flowers were filled with hidden meanings that were too intimate to be said out-loud.
While flowers can be purchased easily and inexpensively these days in the grocery store or farmer’s market, it can be very satisfying and thrifty to grow your own. This allows you to spontaneously add flowers or home-grown herbs to your kitchen creations for very little cost. You can also monitor the fertilizers, sprays, or anything else that would compromise their safety for yourself and others.
If you have not gardened successfully before, start small. I recommend one pot outside your back door in a sunny spot or a kitchen window that faces south. Learn what grows when. Did you know pansies, for example, are a cold-season annual and chrysanthemums are often the latest bloomers of all in late summer/early fall? Choose three different flowers and two different herbs for a beginning kitchen garden. Start a pot of a geranium, rosemary, basil, nasturtium, and carnation plant once your harsh weather has passed and you will be supplied with edible flowers and garnish throughout the spring and summer.
Of course, one does not have to host an event to enjoy the simple beauty of fresh flowers. A small bouquet placed on your bedside table, in your bathroom, or next to your computer is well worth the pleasure it brings. I have met women who find flowers impractical. “They just die! Why spend the time and money?” And yet, practicality can rob our souls of the poetry and magic life’s little treasures provide.
Are you a gardener? Do you grow any of your own flowers? Would you offer any advice to us novices? Please leave your comments below.
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, you were treated to the article, A Fine Legacy, filled with pictures and descriptions of each of the ten teacups representing the past ten decades of Royal Albert China. Royal Albert is part of Royal Doulton, with 
