Tea Party Check List

A Hostess Check List

If you don’t have it all, use the best you have. Your guests will feel honored no matter what you do because of the spirit in which you offer your hospitality.

Tablecloth, Napkins, Napkin Rings
Centerpiece
Tea cups and Saucers
Teakettle
Teapot (2 if small)
Tea strainer if using loose tea
Serving Plates or tiered plates
Dish for lemon
Lemon fork
Sugar bowl or Honey pot
Sugar spoon or tongs
Cream pitcher
Dessert plates
Tea spoons
Knives
Forks
Small dish for jam or lemon curd
Small spoon for jam dish
Small dish for clotted cream
Small knive or spoon for clotted cream dish
Small hostess gifts (if desired)
Sugar or honey, sliced lemon, milk or cream
Tea and tasty food, of course

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Other Useful Tea Party Tips

Other Useful Tea Tips:

- Sweeten your tea party with one of the following alternatives to honey or sugar:
candied violets, molded sugars, raw sugar, hardened frosting flowers, or rock candy crystals.

- Consider using miss matched plates and saucers for a charming effect.

- Try adding a pinch of cloves to black tea before you brew it.

- Use hot apple or cranberry juice in place of water to brew tea.

- Co-hostess your tea with someone else and pool you’re resources and creativity.

- Be prepared to spend the gift of your time. You don’t want to hurry your guests.

- Look in magazines and catalogs for table decoration ideas such as doilies, placecards, a fancy chocolate or mint, etc.

- If your guests don’t know each other well, consider ahead of time how you might want to introduce them to each other, and think about warm topics of conversation you can bring to the table or ice breakers for the beginning of your tea party.

- Wreaths, ribbons, flowers and ivy can be used as a base for a variety of items, such as candles, nativity sets, vases, small trees, topiaries, fresh flowers, potted plants, baskets, sea shells, etc.

- Small battery-operated sets of clear Christmas lights can add a gentle glow when incorporated in your centerpiece.

- Simple, affordable ideas are usually the most successful ones.

- Make a small centerpiece look bigger by using a round, flat mirror under it.

You’re invited to click Teapots ‘n More and browse our newest selection of teapots, tea accessories, tea spices, tea miniatures and elegant tea sets.