A high tea is a gathering of women (typically), sometimes mothers and daughters, who gather to enjoy a relaxing meal in the midafternoon, 3-5pm.
How the tea party works
An invitation is sent to double the number you hope to attend three weeks in advance, with a save-the-date message.
At the tea party I hosted on Friday, guests offered to supply the food elements, which was lovely. However, you have less control even if you are very clear what you would like them to bring, so if you do it that way, relax and don’t stress if you get a million scones and a small number of sandwiches. It all works out.
I set a fancy table with my finest dishes and crystal, linens, and tablecloth.
There are 4 courses
Expect the first 15 minutes for a guest or two running late to show, and start with a cup of tea. It was 96° so I prepared 2 iced teas, a sparkling butterfly tea and a spiced chai latte. We continued during the courses with the iced teas until dessert where we shifted to a lightly steaped flower tea (mother day tea).
Course one is a lightly tossed salad with baby greens, a fruit, and a cheese-like feta using a light dressing like a poppy seed or champagne vinaigrette. As you get the ladies seated (all in fancy dress), you’ve encouraged them to where they are. Ask one you know who is not shy to lead the group in prayer prior to starting the salad. This sets a reverent, joyous tone and keeps the conversation uplifting and supportive. Find topics you know are wins for your guests and ask them to share.
Course two is scones – we got 3 kinds this time all very delicious. Scones are served with honey butter, jam or whipped cream with vanilla (with no sugar). Popular in the old fashioned tea parties was clouta cream, whipped cream whipped closed to butter.
Course 3 finger sandwiches without crust, or more hearty with crust. We’ve done the Swiss cheese and turkey and egg salad as a standard, but there are many popular combinations you can try to make it interesting and go for flavor.
As the sandwich course is coming to an end and before the final course dessert is served, have hidden inspiration cards hidden under the spacers-plates they can pull out and read-share with the group. I also had during the scones course those who wanted to bring a poem prayer scripture verse song art peace to share.
Serving dessert with a warm light non caffeinated tea to end the time is a lovely way to enjoy the final moments together. You’ll find the love flowing and each person’s field has lightened. There is a sweetness to the closing of the tea.
If you feel you could use help with cleaning up you could in the 2nd or third course plant a seed, when we are done I could use a hand or two in rinsing dishes, or something like that. There will be one or two that needn’t rush off at the end who would be glad to help, if they knew about it a bit in advance.
Bringing friends together to share in God’s love and bounty are part of living a great life. This event is not forgotten, a memory you have created for those who were able to attend, and a joy in your crown as well!