How to Select Supplies for a Tea Party
"Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea!" --Sydney Smith.
This is a fine sentiment and very true for planning a tea party. Tea parties have definitely come of age, and you will have little trouble finding what you need online. Your supplies will include plenty of tea (all kinds), serving trays, tableware and decorations--not to mention an abundance of creativity and a hint of resourcefulness.
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Things You'll Need
- Serving trays
- Teapots
- Decorations
- Pitches
- Linens
- Tea bags
- Cups and saucers
Instructions
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Gather Supplies for Your Tea Party
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1
Establish a budget for purchasing the supplies. Factor in the number of guests, how much food will be served and how you want to decorate.
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2
Gather tableware and utensils for the tea party. Be sure and have enough dishes for your guests to eat and drink comfortably, while making your setting appealing and elegant.
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3
Select items for your table at Gardenpartyteas.com (see Resources below). You can make bulk purchases for porcelain cups and saucers and accessories like lace gloves and demi spoons.
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4
Purchase tablecloths and napkins. A great place to buy linens is at yard sales and antique markets. You'll typically come home with uniquely vintage items at a great price. Go to BrimfieldExchange.com for dates of one of the biggest antique markets in the U.S. (see Resources below).
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5
Seek out other vintage finds to use as decorating supplies (or things you might already have in your garage or attic). Look for old birdcages, piles of books, parasols, ribbons and metal garden decorations.
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6
Gather serving trays and holders for food and drinks. Use teapots to serve the tea. Purchase doilies to line serving plates and add a touch of flair to the tables. Select little pitchers to pour creamers from and glass bowls to hold sugar.
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7
Stock up on tea for your party. Offer a variety of Earl Grey, spiced and green teas. Visit the Englishteastore.com to buy blends, teapots and supplies.
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Tips & Warnings
Select paper napkins only if they are very decorative, elegant and high quality.
If you feel comfortable with the group you are inviting, ask if you can borrow some of their tableware (collected beforehand) for the tea party.
Keep your cupboards well-stocked with miscellaneous supplies. A guest might request decaffeinated tea, artificial sweeteners, or even coffee. Have some on hand just in case.
