Tea Party

A Tea Party is a fantastic way to gather a group of people together for an afternoon of shared conversation. It can be a great way to celebrate certain occasions: a bridal or baby shower, Mother's Day (invite grandmothers, aunts, etc) or a birthday. Enjoying the company of others is also reason enough to host an afternoon tea.

What exactly is a Tea Party?
A Tea Party is a light mid-afternoon meal of tea with sandwiches and desserts.  Tea time is usually scheduled mid to late afternoon.

Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Tea Party
Planning a Tea Party is very simple. Besides the tea, the most important ingredient is a group of guests who will enjoy each other's company.  Organization will keep everything on track.  Follow the steps outlined by The Simple Feast below, and you'll soon want afternoon tea like the British every day!

• Select a Date - Pick an afternoon that you feel will work the best for those you plan on inviting.  Whether as a simple get-together, or to celebrate a specific occasion, such as a baby shower, two to three weeks advance notice is ideal.
  
• Afternoon Tea Etiquette -  While there are some rules to follow in order to hold a proper tea party, we prefer to view them as guidelines.  The point of the event is to spend time with friends over great food.  Follow the links to the left for some helpful tips that will help you set your table properly, and explain where some traditions came from.
  
• Food - The menu for a tea party easily makes for a Simple Feast.  Afternoon teas tend to feature a specific range of foods:  scones, fruits or salads, quiches, sandwiches, and desserts, making them easier to plan compared to most types of dining situations.  You'll love our easy-to-make recipes.
• Tea - Tea is a drink that's good for your health, and instantly puts you and your guests at ease. There are many varieties of teas -- black, red, green -- as well as different types of flavors.  We'll walk you through the basics to pick out the perfect tea for your Simple Feast.
  
• Decorations - Decide if you want to spruce up your home for the event:  depending upon your schedule or budget a simple arrangement of flowers could make the afternoon into something more special. Party supplies and party favors are an element that is totally up to you as hostess. Also, decide if you are going to serve a sit-down meal (with guests passing food to each other) or buffet-style (set up on a table for everyone to walk up to and be able to fill their plates).  We'll show you how to manage all of these things in an easy timeline that you can print out and check off as you go.

A Simple Feast does not take a lot of work, especially when it's an afternoon tea.  You will be sure to impress your guests, and have a great time yourself.