“GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN!”

OR HOW TO PLAN A TEA PARTY
by “Lady” Dawnya Sasse

Confucius is credited with saying “the great man is he who does not lose his child’s heart.”  That sentiment can accurately be paraphrased as “greatness comes to those who remember the joy of childhood.”  And what was more fun in childhood than having a tea party?

It’s time to forget all the staid rules of entertaining.  You don’t have to have a seven course, sit-down dinner to be the social highlight of the year.  Instead, how about returning to the giggles and glee of past years?

Planning a tea party is really very easy.  Remember when all you had to have was a stuffed animal and a cup of water?  It’s not much different now.  First, decide who to invite.  Of course, there is always the lovable “best” friend, and those playmates you pal around with, but part of the adventure of a party can be in making new friends!  Don’t be afraid to invite new people.  It’s the mix of personalities that provides the “pop” to the party!

Next, decide what kind of party you want to have.  You don’t have to have a birthday, a wedding, or a baby shower to celebrate.  Consider throwing a tea party to “Fight the February Blahs,” to “Commemorate the 26^th Saturday of the year,” to “Honor your Youth,” to “Play-Hooky-From-Housework,” or to “Share Secrets.”  (Remember how much fun it used to be to whisper around a lovely table set with dainty cups and tiny spoons?)

You’ve heard of wine tastings?  How about hosting a tea-tasting, sharing those rich, warm, exotic, pungent teas from India, China, and Japan? Since tea is the featured ingredient of the whole party, use good quality, loose-leaf tea.  Nothing is as elegant, or as much fun, as partaking in the ritual of afternoon tea, brewed, poured, savored and sipped at the tabletop.  Experiment with the Chais, herbals, and bubble teas.  Ask everyone to share a memory associated with tea.  You’ll be surprised how much fun you have.

The next step in your tea party preparation is to decide on your refreshments.  But remember that a tea party is play time and any kind of a snack is welcome.  Consider doing “themed” treats.  How about if you have a strawberry theme, serving scones with strawberry butter, or strawberry jam cookies, or fresh strawberries with cream, or strawberry tea?   Plan around the red and pink of the fruit, using red napkins and red plates.

Another option for themed refreshments is to serve teas from one specific country or region and decorate accordingly.   (Think of the rich, jewel-tones of India and imagine napkins or a tablecloth set with such gorgeous fabrics.  You could even practice sari-wrapping on your guests.) Consider having a “shape” theme, making everything you serve be round, or square, or triangular, or star-shaped.  Pick a color theme, and plan the tea and food around the color.  (Orange, black, and green teas are obvious, but there are also the names of specific teas:    Blue ginger, White Lotus, Silver Pearls, to name just a few.)  Decorations come naturally following the name of the tea.

Finally, the last step in hosting a tea party is simply to have fun.  Enjoy the people around you.  Remember what it’s like to laugh.  Giggle as you did when you were a child.  Savor life as you’re sipping tea  – and smile.

(C) Dawnya Sasse - 2005

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lady Dawnya Sasse, is author of the world's first online tea business programs entitled "Start a Tea Business" (TM) and "Start A Children's Tea Party Business." (TM) To learn more about her online classes and to sign up for her FREE Tea Radio Broadcasts visit her site at www.TeaEvents.com (TM)