Celebrate With a Mother and Daughter Tea Party!
May is all about Mother's Day and what better way to celebrate than to have a tea party with just the girls. So, let's get ready for the big day by learning what to do for our special party!
Plan the Party Together!
Mom,
it's best to involve your daughters in the planning of your party. If
you wish to invite other mothers and daughters, you will need to consider how
many you can afford to host and accommodate. Once this is decided,
decide on what type of invitations to send. Creating your
invitations is so easy these days and will help to create the desired mood.
Moreover, it is a fun activity to share with your daughters.
You
may wish to include attire choice on your invitations. Dressing up
is part of the tea party experience. Encourage your guests to wear dresses
and hats.
Let Them Eat Cake
We
have our guest list and our invitations are in the mail. Now it is
time to plan the menu. Choices are endless when it comes to tea
accompaniments. Decide if you want to offer substantial meal items
such as sandwiches, meats, cheeses, and desserts, or just sweets. If
you choose to provide just sweet treats, scones, biscuits, cupcakes, cakes,
cookies, and small pies are perfect choices. Be sure and include
traditional jam and clotted cream if serving scones or biscuits.
It is All About the Tea
If
guests include young girls under the age of twelve, it is best to serve
decaffeinated tea like peppermint tea. For those who do not suffer
from caffeine, teas such as Earl Grey, Darjeeling, and Lapsang
Souchong are wonderful afternoon teas. Do not forget to include
lemon, sugar, and milk for guests to add to their tea.
What Will Guests Need?
Each
guest will need a plate, cup with saucer, fork, teaspoon, knife, and
napkin. To serve your fare, you will need serving utensils, serving
plates, teapot, and tongs for the lemon wedges. If using tea leaves,
you will also need something to put them into or something to strain them from
the pot. If using tea bags, you can simply remove them from the pot
before serving the tea to your guests.
How to Brew Tea
Add
one teaspoon of tea – or one bag – per six ounces of just boiling water to a
clean teapot--always add water to the leaves. Cover the pot and
steep for five minutes. Serve immediately and keep boiling water
ready for more tea.
How to Drink Tea
If
using, add milk or lemon to the cup followed by the tea. Using a serving
teaspoon, add sugar to your tea and quietly stir with your teaspoon. Never put the serving spoon in your tea.
Behind your cup to the right of the handle, place your spoon quietly on the
saucer.
Slip
your index finger through the handle of the cup, secure the handle with your
thumb, allowing the bottom to rest on your middle finger. Fight the
urge to extend the pinkie finger. It is viewed as
gauche.
If
seated, lift the cup from the saucer. However, if standing, hold the
saucer while lifting the cup to your mouth. To avoid spilling, lower
your eyes to see the cup while lifting to the lips. Sip the tea quietly, no
slurping.
No-No's
- Never clink the sides of the cup with your spoon and never leave it in your cup.
- Do not sip your tea from the spoon or blow on hot tea.
- Do not swirl the tea when it is getting low.
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