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Asian Splendor – “Hosting a Traditional Asian Themed Tea Party”

September 26, 2011 By
asian-theme-party

 

asian tea party

 

Bring the mystery of the orient into your living room with a creative tea party that will have your guests begging for more. Possibilities are endless when you host an Asian themed tea party, from presenting an overview of Asian teas to replicating a Japanese tea ceremony.

Your presentation can vary depending on your guests and how formal or informal you would like the party to be. Either way, an Asian tea party is a great way to introduce many exotic Asian teas.

 

Activities

Depending on the overall feel of the party, choose among a variety of possible activities. Hosting a traditional Japanese tea ceremony can be fun and educational for your guests. If you don’t want to do something quite so formal, you can teach your guests various Asian customs regarding tea, such as traditional preparation methods, types of teas, how to pour and present teas, and Asian tea etiquette.

This approach can be unusual, lively, and memorable. It’s also a great opportunity to use different teapots and cups that are Asian inspired. If you are hosting a Japanese inspired party, you could include origami as one of the activities.

It’s fun, inexpensive, and does not require a lot of space. Like fortune cookies?  Why not order a batch for your guests and share your fortunes round the table.

 

Decorations

Decorations can be simple yet elegant. To set the mood, purchase a variety of paper lanterns to create a warm ambiance. Use a lot of red and black, as these are customary colors and pair them with dragons, hanging wall fans.

Find some small parasols to place on each table, or use the small ones for decoration in your teacups. For added elegance, use specialty porcelain dishes and China as well as designer chopsticks. Look for cards that have “friendship” or other sayings printed using the authentic symbols to use for added ambiance.

Decorate the room and tables with flowers such as orchids and lotuses. Bamboo is an easy, inexpensive, and authentic decoration option.

In addition, if you already have them or are able to borrow or rent them, incorporate small water fountains, bonsai trees, or small rock gardens.

 

Music

Having a variety of Asian music playing the background is perfect for setting the tone of the party.

Visit the local music store for suggestions. You may want to use some type of compilation, or choose music from a specific region or country, such as Japan, Thailand, or China. If your theme is based on a specific country, choose music accordingly.

 

Invitation Ideas

You can really get creative with invitations, from purchasing ones that are shaped like a fan to using an origami invitation that guests can unfold to read.

Alternatively, you may be interested in invitations that have an Asian picture or symbol on them.

If you are hosting a formal party, invitations on specialty paper make a beautiful work of art. Your budget will influence the style of invitation you choose to use.

The good news is that there are many options available for all price ranges. Start with a local gift or party shop. There are lots of great companies available online as well.

 

Foods

The food choices for an Asian tea party are almost unlimited! For starters, offer a variety of sushi, which can be made to suit any taste, including mild, spicy, and vegetarian.

Stir-fry is easy to make for larger groups of people, and you could even prepare the food in a central area so your guests can observe. It’s entertaining and educational!

Asian foods rely heavily on rice and noodles, and there are many recipes to find that incorporate these, from soups to main dishes and deserts. Of course, you’ll still want to offer fortune cookies!

Whichever foods you choose, offer lighter food choices, as those that are too heavy can take away from the tea experience.

 

Teas

This event would be perfect with a delicate Oolong like Monkey Pick or a  mystical Tung Ting. You might also wish to consider “display teas” which actually bloom when steeped in water.

These hand tied extravaganzas are sure to impress your guests.  Order from  www.numi.com.

If you are looking to impress your guests invite them to experience tea and its birthplace.  You will have them begging for more.

 

Tea Party Girl asks What is your tea style?  English, Asian, Indian, African?

Filed Under: Featured, The Tea Party Tagged With: ,

How The Boston Tea Party Changed Life For You and Me

August 21, 2011 By
bostonteapartystamp

 

Boston Tea Party Tea Time

In 1773 the Boston Tea Party had a larger impact than just a political movement and regardless of your current policitical stance,  the Boston Tea Party stands out as a momentous time of change.  History students learn of the significant (though strikingly orderly) rebellion and spark of the Revolutionary War as the Boston Tea Party. Patriots, specifically the Sons of Liberty dressed as Indians to protect their identities, boarded three ships and dumped tons of tea (342 crates to be exact) into the Boston Harbor.

Unfortunately, many Americans don’t comprehend the sacrifice the colonists made to refuse England’s shipment of tea because they do not drink tea. Perhaps if it was labeled the Boston Coffee Party, Americans might understand the choice the colonists made.

During this period of American History, thanks to John Hancock organizing a tea boycott, tea sales in the colonies from the British East India Company dropped from 320,000 pounds to 520 pounds. It can be argued since this time, Americans’ relationship with tea has never been the same.  The Boston Tea Party caused us to  forget the comfort, serenity, and health the tea leaf provides. However, tea sales have increased four-fold since a decade ago according to the Tea Association of the USA, as more and more experience freshly brewed loose-leaf tea.

I fell in love with the true brew in December 2004 the first time I visited a tea room and drank tea made from correctly brewed loose leaf tea. Since that time, my tea-drinking habit includes three pots made daily, the afternoon one often including friends and “a little touch of something”.

Tea holds the place of the second most drunk beverage in the world, second only to water. The Chinese discovered it and kept it secret for 3000 years, England fought wars to get it and Japan built their world famous gardens around it. This is not the tea of the tea bag, but the tea leaf with as many intricacies as fine wine.  Yes, the Boston Tea Party changed the political world forever but it also changed many a tea drinking habit.  

Now that the Boston Tea Party is back in vogue and a whole new group of Patriots are decrying taxes, why not take the time to visit the little leaf that started it all?  Pour yourself a cup of tea and thank God you are an American and you can now choose to drink tea if you want to!

 

If you liked this article read:

 Addiction, Exploitation and Empire – A Book Review

Tea Party Whimsy Offers Creative Tea Party Twist

Tea Party Girl asks : Do you drink loose leaf tea?

Filed Under: Tea Party Girl Thoughts, The Tea Party Tagged With:

How To Fold Napkins For Tea

August 11, 2011 By
Folding-Cloth-Table-Napkins

A beautiful table is only complete when lovely napkins are hand folded and placed on display. Have you ever wondered HOW to fold napkins? If so you will love this series of videos on the topic. Remember that open a smaller luncheon style napkin is used for afternoon tea. In order to make an elaborate “display” napkin you will need to use a 24 by 24 inch cloth.

A great source of affodable linen napkins is Ebay.com Look for napkin lots or wholesale napkin lots. Choose a color that will work for a variety of seasons and in a variety of settings. If you plan to use the napkins wiht a particular set of china make sure the linens compliment the pattern.

Need a creative activity at the table?  Teach napkin folding. Your friends will love it and kids love learning to fold too.

Want a unique favor? Try printing out folding instructions and attaching a large napkin for your guest to take home and practice with. Your friends will love learning this new skill.

Tea Party Girl Asks: What’s your favorite fold? Share it with us!

Filed Under: The Tea Party

How To Make A Tea Party Dessert Stand – Quick, Easy and Cheap

August 10, 2011 By
dessert stands for tea

 

On a recent survey, I asked Tea Party Girl readers what they would like to read about.  One of the requests was tablescapes and new table setting ideas.  Great!

I poured myself a cup of Ceylon tea and began to comb the internet for simple yet fun ways to make your tea table stand out at little or no cost.  Here are the results:

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Is your budget tight and yet you want to create a beautiful tea table?  Here is a great idea from Centsational Girl blog.  I have done this one myself and LOVED it.   Visit http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/03/diy-colorful-dessert-stands/

For full instructions, photos and inspiration.  You are going to impress your friends.

 

Do you have a dollar store nearby?  If so, this is an inspirational project that you can easily do to create an awesome modern or Victorian tea table.  Here are some incredible instructions that have lots of fresh ideas.

http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2011/02/5-challenge-3-different-dollar-store.html

 

 

Do you love cupcakes?  Why not add cupcake displays to your tea table presentation.  Here is a great way to do just that and you can get your kids or guests involved with the project.

http://tidymom.net/2011/di-cupcake-stands/

 

 

Last but not least, why not make a clear glass tiered cake stand.  This ideas is simple, affordable and can be oh so lovely on your tea table.

http://www.thismarvelouslife.com/2010/04/how-to-make-a-tiered-cake-plate/

The Guide to Planning a Tea Party–Spring Edition

Perfect Favors for Your Next Themed Tea Party

Is Tea too much Work?

Tea Party Girl asks:  What other creative ways can you decorate your tea table?

Filed Under: Featured, Tea Party Food, The Tea Party Tagged With: ,

Jane Austen Tea Party

July 11, 2011 By
pride1995

As time goes by, Jane Austen and tea never go out of fashion. In fact, they’ve both become almost trendy in recent years. So what better way to celebrate Jane Austen’s genius than with a tea party re-creating a few hours of her everyday life?

Invite guests to bring along a favorite passage from one of Austen’s books. The invitation can include a pictures of typical costumes from the early 1800’s. Encourage guests to consider wearing a shawl over modern clothes or experimenting with period dress. Empire waists were popular then, as were choker necklaces.

Bare polished wood was the look in decorating at the time, so be sure to have at least one dark wooden table to set off your most charming porcelain knick-knacks. Print out some scenes of Regency England from this Jane Austen website: http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/rgnclfil.html. Glue them to rectangular doilies and hang three doilies vertically, at least four inches apart, on a long strip of velvet ribbon. Hang heavy tassels from lamp pulls, window shades, and curtain tie-backs.

Greet each guest with the offer of a glass of sherry. Invite them to choose refreshments from a buffet table covered with a white table cloth, with lace borders separating the four areas serving tea, sandwiches, scones, and cookies. Run dark green ribbons through the lace borders for a decorative effect.

Have several card tables set up around the room, covered with dark green cloth. Each table can be set with a small teapot filled with hot water, plus milk, sugar, thinly sliced lemons, napkins, and silverware. The hot water is for refilling guests’ cups if they have kept their tea bags or are using individual tea strainers. Have a plate of sweet butter and a bowl of jelly at each table. Use tall candles in polished brass candlesticks to cast a flattering glow down on the seated guests.

As guests settle in, they can take turns reading their chosen passages from a Jane Austen book. If anyone has chosen a section with several speaking parts, ask for volunteers to act out the scene. If people seem shy about reading to the whole group, let them read just to the people at their table.

The Austen family liked many kinds of music, so you can’t go wrong with anything by Bach, Haydn, or Handel, or with Scottish or Irish folk songs. If you have guests who like to sing, invite them to perform, perhaps accompanied on the piano.

Once each table has four guests, announce the opening of a game of whist. No Jane Austen novel would be complete without a few rounds of whist among friends. This card game is simple enough for players to learn the rules in a few minutes, unlike its offspring, the game of bridge. Give each table a copy of the rules of whist, which you can print out from this website: http://www.pagat.com/whist/whist.html.

Menu:

  • Sherry
  • Green and black tea
  • Sliced chicken and cucumber sandwiches
  • Dilled salmon and cream cheese sandwiches
  • Drop biscuits
  • Freshly sliced French bread
  • Violet, mint, or rose jellies
  • Camembert cheese
  • Pound cake
  • Almond pudding

 

 

 

Like this article? Have you read these?

Jane Austen Lived Before the Inventor of the Tea Party

How to Take Tea with Jane Austen

Books and Tea ~ Creating a Literary Tea Party

 

 

Tea Party Girl Asks:  Are you a Jane Austen fan?

Filed Under: Tea Party Food, Tea Party Themes, The Tea Party Tagged With: , ,
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