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WHAT’S BREWING: Holiday celebration was filled with festive, fun-filled, activity
As I write this, we are right in the middle of our family Christmas festivities. Many families begin their celebrations before The Day, but we started late this year because Christmas Day was the most economical day for our daughter Kristy and her family to fly here from Seattle.
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Consider some tea party ideas that bring back the grace and elegance of the past, with a modern twist. The different types of tea services allow for variety and fun. The increased interest in tea as a healthy drink alternative has fueled a growing love of tea and tea parties.
Let's take a look at the different types of tea services. Having a tea party is a great way to gather with friends and enjoy the same pleasures and experiences of days gone by. It is a great way to open your home and extend your hand in friendship, create memories and experience the finer and more refined aspects of an era of not long ago.
The Afternoon Tea is probably the most popular and familiar type of tea party. This tea consists of crust less tea sandwiches, scones, clotted cream and preserves and a rich and delectable dessert. It is served between 3 pm and 5 pm. It may be a very formal event, or a casual event depending on the hostess and her wishes.
The informal afternoon tea encourages everyone to mingle. The food served is generally eaten without the use of utensils. Afternoon tea was a way for individuals to enjoy luscious treats and enjoy and partake in conversation and games.
Tea dances evolved from the afternoon teas. These dances allowed young women to meet potential mates and possibly marry.
Cream Tea is casual tea, often a gathering of a few for just a snack such as scones and preserves.
Celebrate spring or summer with a Strawberry tea. This is a morning or mid afternoon tea where strawberries are served with whipped cream and sugar.
Have you ever heard of a Sportsman's tea? This is a tea that is served outdoors like a picnic. It can be as casual and formal as you choose. Iced tea is usually served at these events as it is cool and refreshing after any strenuous activity. The menu for this type of event would include picnic type fare and desserts.
Full Tea is a tea in which you serve four courses. This afternoon tea is planned to occur in the late afternoon. The menu would include a savory dish, such as a hearty soup or quiche, followed by an assortment of crust less tea sandwiches. Scones, clotted cream, lemon curd and preserves are offered as a third course. Dessert for the finale may be a trifle or a rich dessert.
High tea is usually served as a replacement for the dinner meal. The menu includes several meat dishes, hot or cold, meat pies, salad, bread, biscuits, cheeses and fruit. The meal would end with a variety of desserts and sweets. High tea is usually served at a table with the guest seated.
Royal tea is tea served with champagne or sherry added to the menu. Four courses are served and the champagne is served at the beginning of the meal and sherry at the end with dessert.
Having a tea party can include dressing to suit the occasion. Many individuals are planning tea parties for everything from bridal showers to weddings. Tea parties can have a theme from period garb for a fun dress up day to a casual gathering with friends.
When looking for tea party ideas consider the different types of tea servicesand plan your event around your theme. In days gone by, tea parties were social gatherings that were meant to spend time enjoying food and the company of others. In today's modern world we are busy, rushed and stressed. Taking a few hours of leisure time to enjoy eating and conversation is a luxury. Be the talk of your circle of friends and have an updated version of an old tradition. You will be glad you did.
Connie Bednar has been a tea enthusiast all her life. She enjoys sharing information about loose leaf tea and so her web site was born. Learn more about herbal teas here on her web site. Take the time to sign up for "Tea Note Speaker" her newsletter while you are there and take advantage of her complimentary tea eCourse.
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