Hosting A Victorian Tea Party

Planning Ideas Recipes

Tea parties are quite popular now & people always comment on how they like mine so I thought I would share some of my ideas with you. A Victorian Tea Party would be the most elegant of all. Everything in Victorian times was done lavishly. So break out your grandmothers china, silver, crystal & serving pieces. The fancier the better. Of course if you have a truly prized possession that would break your heart if it was damaged, please don’t use for the party. Accidents do happen! Before you get your house ready & prepare your food, you have to send out invitations.

INVITATION IDEAS

There are so many options here. With today’s computer programs you can make some beautiful ones at home. Tuck an actual tea bag in the invitation. Perhaps make some using paper doilies & scrapbooking supplies.

DECORATING & SERVING

You will want to make the house as pretty as possible.  Fresh flowers are a must, use them everywhere. I had a birthday tea in early June & I put vases of peonies everywhere, they are beautiful. Use traditional vases, or teapots that no longer have lids. Sometimes you can find then for a bargain since they no longer have a lid! Use candles both tapers & scattered votives or tea lights. I use some of those fancy shaped Christmas light that are sold now in all kinds of shapes. I have some pretty heart ones & some flower ones & even some dragonfly lights ( those are for the fairy tea party - see my page on fairy tea parties!) Play soft music in the background. There are even tea party music  CD’s you can purchase. For tablecloths try lace or damask.  Scatter silk rose petals on your table. Use real linen or fancy paper napkins. I found some monogrammed napkins at an antique store in California last year. They were inexpensive I guess because not too many people have an "O" monogram. Here is a picture of one with our heirloom "O" ware from my husbands Grandma.

For Serving Pieces You Will Need At Least Some of the Following

      Teapot Silver Or China 
      Sugar & Creamer
      Salt & Pepper Shakers - See Our Pretty Ones here:
      Tea Accoutrements Tea Party Favors & TEA  
      Water Pitcher
      Various Serving Trays
      Tole Tray
      China Serving Platters
      Silver Serving Pieces
      Crystal Serving Pieces
      Crystal Plates
      Crystal Bowls
      Silverware
      Pedestal Cake Plates
      Porcelain or China Teacups
      Pretty Plates(mix & match is OK)
      Jam or Jelly Serving Jar
      Demitasse or Fancy Spoons

You don’t need to spend a lot of money. You can find some great bargains at your local thrift stores, flea markets & antique malls. Here is some of what I use.

Mix & Match is Definitely OK for teacups & saucers. Even mismatched sets are OK. Some I have been given as gifts, but most are from estate sales or thrift stores. I have at least 24 mix & match cups & saucers. The there are those that match my several sets of china!

I love the pedestal cake plates or the tiered serving pieces. The middle glass tiered dish & the metal one back right I purchased at the Salvation Army. The Hobnail cake plate I bought for $1. It has a repair on the pedestal part , but I cover with appropriate fancy ribbon! Sitting atop the hobnail cake plate is an Early American pressed Glass candy dish. It is a Bryce Highbee V in Heart Pattern from the late 1800’s. I found it for $2.99 at my Salvation Army Store! Just a couple of months ago! Be sure you use lots of scented candles, be creative with your candle holders. We offer some beautiful three tiered servers view them here: Tea Accoutrements 

Sorry I wish this picture was a bit clearer. There are cute silver teapot salt & pepper shakers & a darling  green heart shaped toothpick holder.  Be sure you have a nice glass or crystal on hand for water. Maybe not all of your guests drink tea.

       To use for serving sugar or with teacups, or as party favors, be sure to see some of the demitasse spoons I sell. Aren’t they sweet! Tie them up to a tea bag with a little satin ribbon & you have a darling tea party favor. If you can find some bargains, give each guest a fancy teacup to take home.

   YUMMY  FOOD TO SERVE

Offer your guests a variety of tea flavors. I leave them out in a lined basket. It is fun to use decorated sugar cubes & sugar tongs too!

TEA SANDWICHES

There are many varieties of tea sandwiches you can serve. Try to find a firmer style bread, cut the crust off & cut sandwiches either diagonally so you have 2 triangle sandwiches or in 4’s for a bit smaller sandwiches. Cucumber sandwiches have long been a tea party tradition. This is an easy one that everyone likes. Just spread softened cream cheese on bread & top with thinly sliced cucumbers. Simple. For a fall or Christmas time tea try turkey & cranberry sauce sandwiches. Use your favorite egg salad or chicken salad recipe. try adding sliced almonds to your chicken salad recipe, yum! For other fillings you can use, watercress, tomatoes, cheese, deli meats, smoked salmon or ham salad. For Children spread softened cream cheese on bread & top with jelly, cut with cookie cutter. On top of the sandwich spread just a bit of softened cream cheese & dust with sprinkles! Here’s mine:

SCONES  BISCUITS  COOKIES & CAKES 

You cannot have a Victorian Tea Party without scones.  You can find a variety of scone recipes on the internet. I have used scone mixes before as well. If you have a Panera Bread Store in your area, they have wonderful orange scones. You might like to have traditional devonshire cream, lemon curd or jelly or jams for your scones & biscuits.

Lemon Curd Recipe:

• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup salted butter
• 1 cup sugar

Mix together melted butter & sugar. Add well beaten eggs & lemon juice. Place in double boiler or over simmering water. Stir continuously for 15 minutes or until thick. Allow to cool & refrigerate. Will keep for about 2 weeks.

BE SURE TO VIEW OUR Cupcake Wrappers ~ IDEAL FOR VICTORIAN TEA PARTIES!