Creating a harmonious tea party requires careful attention to detail before, during and after the event. If one is well organized in advance, planning a tea party can be a source of creativity and joy for the host or hostess. We hope that this checklist will help you realize the tea party of your dreams.
Date:
Month: _____________ Day: ____________ Year: ____________
Time:
From: ____________ To: ____________
Place:
Street Address: __________________________________
City: ___________________________________________
State and Zip Code: _______________________________
Theme: ___________________________________________________________
When Planning the Theme, Reflect on the Philosophy of Tea.
Invitations:
Date of Contact or Mailing: ____________________________________
Type of Invitation:
In Person __________
Telephone __________
Handwritten __________
Printed ___________
Number of Guests: ____________
Names of Guests:
(For a Large Gathering, Prepare a Separate Guest List)
1. ________________________________ Response: Yes:________ No: ________
2. ________________________________ Response: Yes:________ No: ________
3. __________________________________ Response: Yes:________ No:________
4. __________________________________ Response: Yes:________ No:________
5. __________________________________ Response: Yes:________ No: ________
6. __________________________________ Response: Yes:________ No: ________
7. __________________________________ Response: Yes:________ No:________
8. ___________________________________Response: Yes:________ No:________
9. ___________________________________Response: Yes:________ No:________
10.___________________________________Response: Yes:________ No:________
Any Guests Who Did Not Respond? __________________________________________
Follow-up Phone Call: Date ___________________________________________________
Menu:
Savory Foods: (At Least Three)
________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
Scones, Crumpets or Breads:
___________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Sweets: (At Least Three)
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
______________________________________________
Condiments:
_________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Beverages:
Tea: ___________________________________________
Second Tea: ___________________________________
Third Tea: _____________________________________
Coffee: ________________________________________
Cold Beverages: _______________________________
Other Beverages: ______________________________
Specific Location of the Party:
Living Room __________
Family Room __________
Garden __________
Patio _________
Lanai _________
Park __________
Furniture Needed for Serving Tea:
Coffee Table __________
Tea Table __________
Buffet __________
Tea Cart __________
Additional Seating __________
Diagram of the Area Where the Party Will Take Place:
Prepare on a Separate Sheet and Indicate Serving and Seating Areas
Color Scheme: _____________________________________________________________
Setting: Focus on Enhancing Harmony, Humility, Respect and Creativity
Tablecloths and Napkins: ___________________________________
Other Linens: ________________________________________________
Vases: ________________________________________________________
Flower Arrangements: _____________________________________
Candles: ______________________________________________________
Music: _________________________________________________________
Other Decorative Items: _____________________________________
Serving Pieces to Be Used at the Party:
Dishes:
Plates: ___________________________________________________
Tea Cups and Saucers: _________________________________
Bowls: ______________________________________________________
Glasses: _____________________________________________________
Silverware: _________________________________________________
Spoons: ___________________
Forks: _____________________
Knives: ___________________
Butter Knives: _____________
Spoons for Serving Condiments: ______________________
Cake Server: _________________________
Other Serving Utensils: _____________________________
_________________________________________________
Tea Kettle: __________________________________________________
Tea Pot: _____________________________________________________
Additional Tea Pots: _______________________________________
Coffee Pot: ___________________________________________________
Tea Cozy: ___________________________________________________
Tea Strainer: ______________________________________________
Cream Pitcher: _____________________________________________
Sugar Bowl: __________________________________________________
Other Serving Bowls or Containers For:
Jam: __________
Lemon Curd: __________
Honey: __________
Clotted Cream: ________
Butter: ___________
Lemon Wedges: _____________
Other Condiments: __________
Trays: ________________________________________________________
Pitcher for Cold Beverages: _________________________________
Serving Pieces for Food:
Cheese Board: ________________________________________
Serving Plate for Savories: __________________________
Plate or Tray for Sandwiches: _______________________
Tiered Server or Plate for Scones: __________________
Tiered Servers for Sweets: ____________________________
Cake or Dessert Pedestal: ____________________________
Ramekins for Individual Servings: ___________________
Other Serving Pieces: _________________________________
Grocery List:
Make a Complete List on a Separate Sheet
Check Your Pantry for Staples Such as Flour, Sugar and Spices
Check Your Recipes and Add Ingredients to Your List
Determine if You Will Need to Make More Than One Trip to the Grocery
Will You Need to Shop in More Than One Place?
Tea Party Preparation Timeline:
Date and Time: Task:
____________________ Grocery Shopping First Trip
____________________ Grocery Shopping Second Trip
____________________ Clean the House
____________________ Polish the Silver, If You Are Using Silver
____________________ Wash and Iron the Linens
____________________ Set the Tables and Arrange Serving Pieces
____________________ Arrange the Flowers
____________________ Arrange Other Details of the Setting
____________________ Prepare the Cold Beverages
____________________ Prepare the Sweets
____________________ Get Dressed for the Party and Put on Your Apron
____________________ Turn on the Music
____________________ Prepare the Savory Foods
____________________ Put the Condiments and Stable Food Items in the Party Room
____________________ Make the Tea Sandwiches
____________________ Prepare the Scones
____________________ Make the Coffee
____________________ Make the Tea
____________________ Tidy Up the Kitchen and Take Off Your Apron
____________________ Put All of the Food Items in the Party Room
____________________ Light the Candles if You are Using Them
____________________ Check Your Menu to Make Sure You Have Not Forgotten Anything in the Refrigerator
____________________ Spend a Few Moments in Grateful Anticipation
Before the Guests Arrive
Will You Need Help with Any of The Tasks Listed Below?
If So, Contact the Person Who Will Help You Well In Advance of the Party.
________________________ Addressing Invitations for a Large Party
________________________ House Cleaning
________________________ Polishing the Silver
________________________ Babysitting
_________________________ Washing and Ironing the Linens
________________________ Food Preparation
________________________ Picking Up Prepared Food from a Restaurant or Deli
________________________ Cleaning Up After the Party
Send us your email address and we'll update you once a month with our latest information (i.e., Menus, Recipes, Blogs, Special Promotions, etc.)
© Developed By Prime Web Developer
THE TEA BOOK
The Road Back to Civilization
A Brief History of Tea
Philosophy of Tea
Harmony
Humility
Respect
Creativity
Guidelines for the Host/Hostess
Gathering and Greeting
Sharing Stories
Sharing Food
Sending the Guests Home
Respect your Hostess/Host
Bring a Gift if You Wish
Practice Humility
Monitor Your Conversation
Arrive With a Grateful Attitude
Help if Help is Needed
Do Not Criticize
Leave Gracefully
Send a Thank you Note
A Checklist for Planning a Tea Party
Teas of the World and How to Make Tea
A Sampling of Teas
Herbal Teas and Tisanes
How to Make Tea
Making Iced Tea
Tea Concentrate
Brewing Tea for a Crowd
Tea Kettle
Tea Pot
Tea Cozy
Teacups
Plates
Silverware
Teacart
Tea Strainer
Tea Infuser
Three-Tiered Server
Cream Pitcher and Sugar Bowl
Cake Pedestal
Trifle Bowl
Jam Pots
Serving Dishes, Platters, and Trays
Silver Tea Set or Silver Tray
Linens
Kitchen Equipment for Food Preparation
Sandwiches and Savories
Savory Spreads and Dips
Scones and Tea Breads
Afternoon Tea and the Four Seasons
A Spring Tea
An Outdoor Summer Tea
A Winter Afternoon Tea
An Autumn Afternoon Tea
January:A Japanese New Year’s Tea
February:Valentine’s Day Tea
March:A St. Patrick’s Day Irish Tea
April:An Easter Tea
May:Mother’s day Tea
June:A Wedding Reception Tea
July:A Picnic Tea
AUGUST:A FAMILY REUNION TEA
A North American Family Reunion Tea
An Eastern Mediterranean Family Reunion Tea
A Kosher Family Reunion Tea
A Scandinavian Family Reunion Tea
September:An Ozark Farm Harvest Tea
October:A Tea to Honor Our Ancestors(Dia de los Muertos)
November:A Post Thanksgiving Tea
December: A Christmas Tea
In Defense of Fruitcake:Fruitcakes and Candied Fruit
A Chinese Dim Sum Tea
A Portuguese Tea
A Classic British Afternoon Tea
An Indian Chai Party
A California Tea
A Hawaiian Tea
An Italian Tea
An American Southern Tea
A Russian Tea
A French Afternoon Tea
A Kosher Teawith Traditional Jewish Foods
Afternoon Tea for Special Occasions
An Afternoon Tea for Children
A Tea for Our Elders
A Honey Bee Tea in the Garden
An Urban Tea on the Go
Tea for One
Afternoon Tea For a Large Group
A Vegan Tea
A Rose Tea