Must-Know Tea Party Tips And Etiquettes for Gen-Z
Tea parties are ideal to reunite old friends or entertain new guests in a lovely, classy atmosphere, especially after this long unfortunate pandemic. Tea parties have evolved into more casual social gatherings that are perfect to recapture the essence of physical gatherings that was lost in the past 2 years. So after months of watching colleagues and friends on Zoom, it's hopefully time to be back, and this time - OFFLINE and UNMUTED! If you are planning to host your friends over, a tea party is the perfect little getaway. We are here with a few tips and practices to help you have a fun-filled tea party at home.
Plan The Date And Venue
Set a date and time for your tea party, preferably a week or two ahead of time, so that individuals who are invited can fit it into their calendars. Because most guests are off work and searching for relaxing activities on weekends, they are ideal for tea parties. A midday tea party is also a good idea. Set aside a spot for the appropriate seating area if you are having a tea party at your house. If you have sufficient space, an outdoor garden area would be nice, but you could also arrange a table on your terrace or in your kitchen.
Invite Your Visitors
Create a list of the individuals you would like to invite and send each of them a personalized invitation saying that you value their presence. To bring more innovation and relevancy, you can also cut colorful cardboard into the design of teapots, or deliver the invites in flowered boxes with aromatic tea bags inside, instead of giving simple regular cards with the time and date. Ask your guests to take their children along with them because they also lack exposure by having only online classes for a long period.
Make A List Of The Refreshments To Serve
You may want to serve food to your guests in addition to tea. But there should be simple, satisfying options, such as cookies and other sweet confections to accompany the tea or little finger sandwiches to keep your visitors from getting hungry. Prepare a final sketch of your menu and plan how to begin prepping food and beverages prior to the party.
Make The Seating Space More Appealing
After you have chosen a location for your tea party, start decorating to keep it more attractive. You can decorate with tealight candles, flowers, bell jars, plants, and other decors, or bring out the exquisite dinnerware you have been collecting for a special event. Setting up the location where your tea party will take place can definitely spice everything up and make your visitors feel more comfortable. For your tea party, choose a specified theme and make sure you follow it. It doesn't have to be sophisticated; a simple design like stripes, boxes, floral patterns, or soft tones, will make your decoration sparkling and attractive. A colorful decoration can create an effect to celebrate the post-covid get-together. Generate a checklist of anything and everything you believe you will require so you don't miss anything.
Assemble The Table Ahead
Before your visitors' arrival, the dining area should be set. Ensure the table looks nice by covering it with a tablecloth, which should be white or light-shaded. Have a plate for the dishes you have cooked, a cup and saucer for tea in the top right corner, tissues and tableware to the left of the meal tray, and all seasonings, serving bowls, and other tabletop fittings above the table arrangements. When it is ready to serve the tea and coffee, carry it in on a platter and place it in the center of the table. As afternoon tea should be a light refreshment rather than a complete meal, it will be fair enough to offer some snacks with the tea. It is acceptable to decorate with fresh flowers, avoid placing aromatic candles on the table surface or bring in extra aromas. Food and tea must give off a pleasant smell at the dining table.
Make Foods That Can Be Refrigerated Early
Cheese plates and chicken salad can be prepared in advance and stored in a refrigerator until the gathering. When it is time for visitors to arrive, you won't have to worry about attempting to organize too many processes. Buy necessary ingredients a day or two days ahead of time and store them. Sandwich stuffing and fruit presentations, pasta salad, and other light food can be purchased or made ahead of time and kept refrigerated until it is ready to serve.
Make Sure All Set Before An Hour
Start preparing the additional items from the morning of the event. If any of the refreshments you are planning require freshness then make sure to finish them 1 hour before the tea party. With the essential food components out of the way, you can focus on any other task or you can spend enough time yourself to get ready for the party. Don't go overboard. While coming up with crazy ideas for what to offer at a tea party might be entertaining, simplistic food is always the best. Keep it basic and build your meals all-around tea.
Provide A Variety Of Teas For Guests
Avail varieties of tea and offer your guests a wide range of tastes to explore. Loose leaf tea is the most delicious and richest. Prepare the tea, drain it, and heat it until everybody is seated. You may also supply guests with different tea bags and hot water or milk so that they can each have their own preferences. People can be served one after another, or the elements can be placed in the center of the table so that everyone can serve independently. To maximize the pleasure of your teas, pair them with snacks. Foods with more uniform flavors, such as biscuits and cheeses, go perfectly with mild and spicy teas, but rich, savory appetizers can be balanced off by rich compounded teas. You may also offer coffee, hot chocolate, fruit punches, iced tea, or even wine for special occasions to those who would like to have various types of beverages. If kids are also joining the party then you must include something from their favorites too in the menu.
Be Ready To Invite Your Guests
Everything in the party area should be ready for your guests when they arrive. Instead of standing around waiting for the table to be set or the tea to be brewed, they can simply sit down and join in the festivities. Prepare all of the major decorations and meals the night before, and finish setting up fresh things in the morning. Before the first knock on your door, make sure you have it all prepared to serve. Ensure you have a good idea of how many people will be attending so that you can make enough space for everyone. Boil the water for the tea, but don't start serving it until all of your guests are seated.
Value Every Guest
It is quite important to receive everyone from the door with a warm welcome note. Make them seated in a place and over them a refreshment drink. Make yourself ready to fulfill any demands your guests may have while they are sipping their tea. Refill water glasses and teacups, serve seconds, and clean the eaten plates. Make it in a way that no one has to serve themselves or tidy up. In order to be a good host, you must attend to the requirements of your guests in every possible manner. Make time to bring back the emotions and feeling that comes with being physically present. Make small talk, put effort, and talk your heart out. While the guests are leaving, take them to the door. Thank them for their presence and also invite them for another visit.
Final Thoughts
The mentioned are a few common things that can lift up your tea party experience but still, it is completely to your personal touch and creativity to make it even better. Follow the tips and party hard.