How To Host A Victorian Tea Party Ideas Recipes

A Victorian Tea Party would be the most elegant of all. Everything in Victorian times was done lavishly. So break out your grandmothers china, silver, crystal & serving pieces. The fancier the better. Of policy if you have a truly prized possession that would break your heart if it was damaged, please don't use for the party. Accidents do happen! Before you get your house ready & put in order your food, you have to send out invitations.

Invitation Ideas There are so many options here. With today's computer programs you can make some gorgeous ones at home. Tuck an actual tea bags in the invitation. Possibly make some using paper doilies & scrapbooking supplies. Decorating & Serving You will want to make the house as pretty as possible. Fresh flowers are a must, use them everywhere. I had a birthday tea in early June & I put vases of peonies everywhere, they are beautiful. Use former vases, or teapots that no longer have lids. Sometimes you can find then for a business agreement since they no longer have a lid! Use candles both tapers & scattered votives or tea lights. I use some of those fancy shaped Christmas light that are sold now in all kinds of shapes. I have some pretty heart ones & some flower ones & 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 Cd's you can purchase. 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 at an ancient store in California last year. They were reasonable I guess because not too many habitancy have an "O" monogram. For Serving Pieces You Will Need At Least Some of the Following Teapot Silver Or China Sugar & Creamer Salt & Pepper Shakers Water Pitcher Various Serving Trays Tole Tray China Serving Platters Silver Serving Pieces Crystal Serving Pieces Crystal Plates Crystal Bowls Silverware Pedestal Cake Plates Porcelain or China Teacups Pretty Plates(mix & match is Ok) Jam or Jelly Serving Jar Demitasse or Fancy Spoons You don't need to spend a lot of money. You can find some great bargains at your local thrift stores, flea markets & ancient malls. Mix & Match is without fail Ok for teacups & saucers. Even mismatched sets are Ok. Some I have been given as gifts, but most are from estate sales or thrift stores. I have at least 24 mix & match cups & saucers. I love the pedestal cake plates or the tiered serving pieces. I have any I purchased at the Salvation Army. I bought a vintage Hobnail cake plate for . It has a fix on the pedestal part , but I cover with approved fancy ribbon! Be sure you use lots of scented candles, be creative with your candle holders. Use paper or tatted doily under or on your serving pieces.Be sure you have a nice glass or crystal on hand for water. Maybe not all of your guests drink tea. To use for serving sugar or with teacups, or as party favors, be sure to see some of the demitasse spoons I sell. Aren't they sweet! Tie them up to a tea bag with a slight satin ribbon & you have a darling tea party favor. If you can find some bargains, give each guest a fancy teacup to take home. Yummy Food To Serve Offer your guests a variety of tea flavors. I leave them out in a lined basket. It is fun to use decorated sugar cubes & sugar tongs too! Tea Sandwiches There are many varieties of tea sandwiches you can serve. Try to find a firmer style bread, cut the crust off & cut sandwiches either diagonally so you have 2 triangle sandwiches or in 4's for a bit smaller sandwiches. Cucumber sandwiches have long been a tea party tradition. This is an easy one that everyone likes. Just spread softened cream cheese on bread & top with thinly sliced cucumbers. Simple. For a fall or Christmas time tea try turkey & cranberry sauce sandwiches. Use your popular 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, deli meats, smoked salmon or ham salad. For Children spread softened cream cheese on bread & top with jelly, cut with cookie cutter. On top of the sandwich spread just a bit of softened cream cheese & dust with sprinkles. Scones Biscuits Cookies & Cakes You cannot have a Victorian Tea Party without scones. You can find a variety of scone recipes on the internet. I have used scone mixes before as well. If you have a Panera Bread Store in your area, they have amazing orange scones. You might like to have former devonshire cream, lemon curd or jelly or jams for your scones & biscuits. Lemon Curd Recipe: 3 eggs1/2 cup fresh lemon juice1/2 cup salted butter 1 cup sugarMix together melted butter & sugar. Add well beaten eggs & lemon juice. Place in double boiler or over simmering water. Stir continuously for 15 minutes or until thick. Allow to cool & refrigerate. Will keep for about 2 weeks. Traditional Tea Cakes Recipe: 4 cups flour1 cup butter2 egg yolks, beatenmilk1 egg white, beaten1/4 cup sugarCaraway seedsMix all ingredients together, mix to paste with a slight warm milk, cover with a cloth and let stand for about an hour in a warm place. Roll out cut with round or shaped cutter & bake on lightly greased or sprayed sheet at 350 degrees until they are golden brown. For other treats serve a variety of breads, cakes & cookies. Serve sliced banana bread, shortbread cookies, your popular holiday cookies, lady fingers, lemon cookies or biscuits, orange cake, peach or strawberry tarts or tartlets, petit fors, applesauce cake, brownies or fudge, carrot cake, gingerbread, or tiny cupcakes. Tea Party Themes Do you need an excuse to have a Victorian Tea Party?? Next time you host a baby or bridal 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, ask over your grandma, or granddaughters, let your slight girl ask her friends for a fancy dress up day! merge a tea party with an etiquette class, have a organery tea party in the summer, and of policy there is always Valentine's Day, my favorite. Be sure to visit my website for tea accouterments and tea party favors!