Think Pink: Afternoon Tea

This issue of Think Pink is going to show you how to host your own tea party. When you think of life in the 1800s what do you think of? Well, there are a few different types of settings I think of.... Pioneers, Easterners, and Victorian England. Though they all live a different way and in different places, they all have one thing in common.. tea.

Back in the Victorian era, tea parties were an event to simply get together with your friends, with whom you shared common interest with, to have an enjoyable afternoon. Today in our century we don't host "tea parties", but we do plan events to get together with people and families of whom we enjoy their company. I have always thought very fondly of hosting a tea party, all dressed up, as the Bennett sisters would have been, or even as Anne and Dianna did in Anne of Green Gables (though theirs ended in disaster).

If you were to host your own tea party, you would most likely host Afternoon Tea, which is traditionally at four o'clock. Of course you can set the time for whatever will suit you and your guests the best. Today in Britain, families do not have time for afternoon tea at home, but in the past it was a tradition. It became popular about one hundred and fifty years ago, when rich ladies invited their friends to their houses for an afternoon cup of tea. They started offering their visitors sandwiches and cakes also. Soon everyone was enjoying Afternoon tea.

Afternoon Tea Invitation:
The first thing you need to do, in order to host a tea party, would be to set a date and time you would like to have it held at. If you would like to host it somewhere else besides your home, you will need to look into that before you start making any other arrangements. Once all that is settled, you may move onto making a list of guests you'd like to invite and begin to make the invitations.

In the Victorian era, of course, they didn't have printers or computers therefore, each invitation was handwritten and sent 10-14 days ahead of the set date. The invitees were to RSVP 5 days before the event that way the host could get a head count and enough supplies.

I wrote up my own invitation, which you may use, or write your own.

You are cordially invited to attend afternoon tea at the __________________ (location of party), hosted by __________________ (the host). The said event will take place on __________________ (date) and you are to arrive at _________ (time).

Please send a reply to __________________ (the host) whether you are able to attend or not by the __________________ (RSVP date). You may reach __________________ (the host) at this address __________________ (address of host) or call __________________ (phone number).

We hope you will grace us with your presence.

Sincerely,
__________________ (the host)

Setting Up:
When you're getting ready for the tea party, you will want to pick a place in your home that is roomy, homey, and has plenty of light. Perhaps if you have a parlor or, if the weather is nice, you may want to sit out on the porch. You will need a nice table to sit at and, depending on the guests, enough chairs. The picture that comes to mind when thinking of hosting my own tea party would be of a wrap-around porch with white, wicker table and chairs. A pretty flower arrangement in the center of the table with nice fancy dishes and cups. All the ladies sitting at the table in their lovely gowns and sunhats, sipping tea. 'Tis a pretty sight of lovely femininity.

Depending on where you have your tea table set up will depend on your decorations. Your decorations should be elegant and pretty. No balloons or streamers please. If you're doing your party inside and you have any old fashioned, antique or Victorian era type items they will work nicely as decorations. Old photographs as well as old books, jewelry, and handkerchiefs make wonderful, old fashioned decorations. Perhaps you could see if you have a relative or a friend who might have some of things you for you to borrow.

Along with the list of guests who are to attend, make a list of supplies you will need for the event and buy them at least five days ahead of time. Make sure you have plenty.

Setting The Table:
An off-white or white lacey table-cloth would be a lovely addition for the table as well as fresh flowers setting on the table and around your party area. Some suggest using yellow roses as they signify friendship, but any type of flowers will work.

Depending on what kind of theme and feel you want your tea party to have will determine the type of tea set you use. There are many different types of tea sets with many different designs. Here are a few: Ceramic, Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, Chantal, Glass, and Bodum.

As for the dishes, you will want to use some of your nice china and silverware. If you have some that matches the tea set, use those. You will need a tea cup and saucer for each guest as well as a spoon and fork, small plate, and cloth napkin.

The Tea:
Now that you've got everything ready for the actual party, you need to prepare the tea. Here is some interesting information on tea and how it's served.

The pastime of tea drinking has been recognized as an English tradition, but tea drinking has existed for centuries in Asia. A lot of people still drink tea today. Some for health reasons, and others just because they like it. You can buy tea in many flavours, but there are four types of true tea: black tea, oolong tea, green tea, and white tea.

The English drink their tea with milk - People from around the world often wonder why the English always drink milk with their tea. The answer is that in the 17th and 18th centuries the china cups tea was served in were so delicate they would crack from the heat of the tea. Milk was added to cool the liquid and stop the cups from cracking. This is why, even today, many English people add milk to their cups BEFORE adding the tea!

Lemon was introduced to British tea drinkers by Queen Victoria after a visit to the Prussian King. Lemon can complement the flavor of scented teas and brighten the flavor of some black teas. If both sugar and lemon are used, the sugar should be added first since the citric acid in the lemon may prevent the sugar from dissolving completely.

Sugar or honey accents the flavor of most darker teas. Fruit-flavored teas are excellent served with sugar or honey since the added sweetness brings out the flavor of the fruit.

So, choose the type of tea and flavour you want. You may want to find out from your intended guests what type or flavour of tea they prefer. Put the water onto boil just before you guests are to arrive and when they arrive add the tea bags to the water. By the time you have welcomed and greeted your guests and sat down the tea should be ready to serve.

Finger-Foods:
As I mentioned above, the ladies of the Victorian era would invite their friends over for tea and, later on, they started serving sandwiches and cakes. You can do whatever snacks you'd like, but some I would suggest are small cakes, tarts, cookies, scones and muffins. Though it's probably not very good with tea, you can do a vegetable or fruit tray. Whatever is desired.

Attire:
Unless you own a 1800s gown already or you/your guests have set it up to wear attire from the appropriate era, a nice dress or nice skirt and shirt will do for the tea party.

Since Mother's Day is coming up, I think it would be a wonderful way to celebrate this event by hosting a tea party for Mothers and Daughters. Of course, gentlemen are invited, but usually, in the Victorian era, it was only the ladies who attended.

Discussion:
Do you like tea?
How do you like your tea?
What's your favourite flavour?

I look forward to your replies on this article!
Blessings to you as you Grow in the Grace of our Lord!