Tea Party Table Setting

Tea parties are traditionally associated with the English countryside or with little girls and their stuffed animals, but adults can plan tea parties for a social event as well. Tea parties are meant to be dainty, therefore, should be kept elegant but simple. Tea parties can be held as fundraising events, bridal showers or a reason for you and your girlfriends to get together one afternoon.

Things You'll Need

• Round table
• Tea cups (one for each guest)
• Assorted tea bags
• Linen table cloth and napkins
• Finger foods
• Teapot
• Tea service (tray, sugar bowl, creamer, etc.)
• Food trays and serving utensils
• Luncheon size plates (one for each guest)

Instructions

1. Find a location. Typically, a tea party should be set up outside. If that is not feasible, set it up in a room that is quiet and away from the distractions of the rest of your home.

2. Use linens. White or solid pastel linens make great tea party tablecloths. Match or color coordinate linen napkins with the tablecloth. Cover the round table with the linen table cover.

3. Provide an assortment of tea. For a tea party, provide your guests with an assortment of flavored teas. Boil water in a tea pot, and allow guests to choose their own tea bags, which can be placed on a tray and presented to guests as they sit around the table. In addition to the teas, provide your guests with small cookies or quartered sandwiches (finger sandwiches).

4. Arrange the display. Set the steaming tea pot in the center of the table (on a serving tray, if you have one). You can set a tray of the tea bags on one side of the teapot and the plates of cookies or sandwiches on the other side of the teapot, along with serving utensils such as tongs. Include a vase of fresh flowers for the table centerpiece arrangement. Add a luncheon size plate at each place setting. Place one teacup on a saucer above and to the right to the plate. Place a teaspoon to the right of the plate.

5. Keep things cozy. A tea party should be an intimate affair. If possible, seat guests at a round table, with no more than six people at each table. If you are providing a pre-arranged seating chart, include the seating chart in the invitation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are hosting a large tea party, use a main table for the food and the tea pot. Place a tea pot and tea at each individual table.

• If you are hosting a small party, keep tea pot and food in the center of the table.

References

• Tea Party Girl: How to Set the Table for Tea--8 Helpful Tips