How to Host a Victorian Tea Party Recipe Ideas
A Victorian tea party would be the most elegant of all. In Victorian times, everything was done generously. So separate your grandmothers from porcelain, silver, crystal, and serving pieces. The more elegant the better. Of course, if you have a really prized possession that would break your heart if damaged, don’t wear it to the party. Accidents happen! Before preparing your home and preparing your food, you need to send out invitations.
INVITATION IDEAS
There are so many options here. With today’s computer programs you can make some beautiful ones at home. Place an actual tea bag on the invitation. Maybe make some out of paper doilies and scrapbook supplies.
DECORATION AND SERVICE
You want the house to be as beautiful as possible. Fresh flowers are a must, use them everywhere. I had birthday tea in early June and put vases of peonies everywhere, they are beautiful. Use traditional vases or teapots that no longer have lids. Sometimes you can find them at a bargain price since they no longer have a lid! Use both taper candles and scattered candles or tea lights. I use some of those fancy shaped Christmas lights that are now sold in all sorts of shapes. I have some pretty heart and some flowery ones and even some dragonfly lights (they are for the fairy tea party – see my page on fairy tea parties). Play soft music in the background. There are even music CDs for the tea party that you can buy. For tablecloths, try lace or damask. Spread silk rose petals on your table. Use real linen or fancy paper napkins. I found some monogrammed napkins in an antique store in California last year. I guess they were inexpensive because not many people have an “O” monogram.
To serve pieces, you will need at least some of the following
Teapot or china silver
Sugar and cream
Salt and pepper
Pitcher of water
Various serving trays
Tole tray
China Serving Dishes
Silver serving pieces
Glass pieces for serving
Glass plates
Crystal bowls
Covered
Pedestal cake plates
Porcelain or porcelain tea cups
Pretty Plates (mix and match is ok)
Jar to serve jam or jelly
Demitasse or Fancy spoons
You don’t need to spend a lot of money. You can find great bargains at your local thrift stores, flea markets, and antique malls. Mix & Match is definitely fine for teacups and saucers. Even mismatched sets are fine. Some have given me as gifts, but most are from real estate sales or thrift stores. I have at least 24 cups and saucers to mix and match.
I love the pedestal cake plates or the tiered serving pieces. I have several that I bought from the Salvation Army. I bought a vintage Hobnail cake plate for $ 1. It has a repair on the pedestal part, but I cover it with a suitable fancy ribbon! Make sure to use lots of scented candles, get creative with your candle holders. Use tattooed paper or doilies under or on top of the serving pieces. Perhaps not all of your guests drink tea.
To use for serving sugar or with teacups, or as party favors, be sure to check out some of the demitasse spoons I sell. Aren’t they sweet? Tie them to a tea bag with a small satin ribbon and you have a lovely tea party favor. If you can find some bargains, give each guest a fancy cup of tea to take home.
DELICIOUS FOOD TO SERVE
Offer your guests a variety of tea flavors. I leave them in a lined basket. It’s fun to use decorated sugar cubes and sugar tongs too!
TEA SANDWICHES
There are many varieties of tea sandwiches that you can serve. Try to find a firmer style loaf, cut the crust and cut the sandwiches diagonally so you have 2 triangle sandwiches or 4 for slightly smaller sandwiches. Cucumber sandwiches have long been a tea party tradition. This is an easy one that everyone likes. Just spread softened cream cheese on the bread and top with thin slices of cucumbers. Easy. For a fall or Christmas tea, try the turkey and cranberry sauce sandwiches. Use your favorite recipe for egg salad or chicken salad. try adding sliced almonds to your chicken salad recipe, yum! For other fillings you can use watercress, tomatoes, cheese, cold cuts, smoked salmon or ham salad. For children, spread softened cream cheese on bread and cover with gelatin, cut with a cookie cutter. Sprinkle just a little softened cream cheese on top of the sandwich and sprinkle with sprinkles.
COOKIES AND CAKES COOKIES SCONES
You can’t have a Victorian tea party without scones. You can find a variety of bun recipes on the internet. I have also used bun mixes before. If you have a Panera Bread Store in your area, they have wonderful orange scones. You may want to have traditional Devonshire cream, lemon curd, or jelly or jams for your scones and cookies.
Lemon curd recipe:
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup of salted butter
- 1 cup of sugar
Mix together the melted butter and sugar. Add the well beaten eggs and lemon juice. Place in a water bath or over boiling water. Stir continuously for 15 minutes or until thickened. Let cool and refrigerate. It will keep for about 2 weeks.
Traditional tea cakes recipe:
- 4 cups of flour
- 1 cup of butter
- 2 egg yolks, beaten
- Milk
- 1 egg white, beaten
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- Caraway seeds
Mix all the ingredients, mix to paste with a little warm milk, cover with a cloth and let it rest for about an hour in a warm place. Roll out the cut with a round or shaped cutter and bake on a lightly greased or sprayed sheet at 350 degrees until golden brown. For other treats, serve a variety of breads, cakes, and cookies. Serve sliced banana bread, shortbread, your favorite holiday cookies, lemon cakes, cookies or biscuits, orange cake, peach or strawberry tarts or tarts, petit fors, applesauce, brownies or fudge , carrot cake, gingerbread or small tartlets. muffin.
TEA PARTY THEMES
Need an excuse to have a Victorian tea party? Next time you host a baby shower or bridal shower, make it a tea party, a birthday party for a friend, a Christmas tea is always beautiful. Organize one for your women’s group at church or women’s Bible study. Celebrate an anniversary, invite your grandmother or granddaughters, let your little one invite her friends to a dress up day! Combine a tea party with an etiquette class, have a garden tea party in the summer, and of course there’s always Valentine’s Day, my favorite. Be sure to visit my website for tea supplies and tea party favors!