Tea Party Locations
From LoveToKnow Party
Tea party locations can vary from quaint outdoor settings to large halls filled with people. No matter how many guests you'd like to invite to your tea party, there are perfect locations to hold the event.
About Tea Parties
Tea parties can be formal or informal gatherings where people gather to enjoy a cup of tea, some light food, and each others' company. Tea time is usually mid-afternoon, to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner, though you could certainly hold a tea party earlier or later in the day.
Finger foods and a variety of teas are available, and guests can be seated or left to mingle with one another. While traditional high teas are a more formal, seated affair, there has been a more modern movement to turn tea parties into a more casual event.
Reasons for a Tea Party
Hosting a tea party is a great idea to celebrate events and milestones, or just to gather your friends and family together. Some reasons to hold a tea party could include:
- Birthdays or anniversaries
- Bridal or baby showers (be sure to offer caffeine-free teas for a baby shower)
- Graduations, promotions, or retirement parties
- For a child's birthday party or summer gathering
- Mother's Day
- Just for fun!
Choosing Tea Party Locations
When planning a tea party, it's important to choose a suitable location. Some general things to consider are:
- What the weather will be like. Always have an indoor option available if you're planning an outdoor tea party.
- The number of guests.
- Whether you'd like to have seating available for all guests, or you'd rather have them move around.
- The availability of electrical outlets to plug in your kettles, heating pads, and other tea party supplies.
- Whether or not you need a refrigerator nearby to store milk, cream, and food.
Outdoor Locations
Outdoor tea party locations provide instant scenery, fresh air, and a chance for guests to enjoy the weather. Make sure the backdrop for your tea party displays plenty of flowers and greenery for a pleasant atmosphere. If it's a good time of year for an outdoor gathering, here are some locations where you could hold your party:
- In the backyard or patio at your own home, or a friend's home
- At a public park or garden
- At or near the beach
It's important to consider your access to food storage and preparation areas, so if you'll be away from home, plan your foods and beverages accordingly. Hot water can be kept at a decent temperature with good thermoses, and a cooler filled with ice can keep milk and cream cold.
Indoor Tea Party Locations
Indoor tea parties can be held just about anywhere, as long as you can create a nice area for your guests. Some location ideas for an indoor party include:
- At your home, or the home of a friend or relative.
- A hall or other large space that you can rent, such as church halls or community group halls.
- At a restaurant, where your tea party will be catered.
You could even set up an informal tea party in the office kitchen after hours, providing you have permission to be there.
Decorating the Location
If the location you choose for your tea party doesn't seem quite suitable for the event, you can add lots of decorative touches to make the surroundings more pleasing. Here are some simple decorating ideas to spruce up the location:
- Add lots of fresh flowers on tables, near the entry, and even at each place setting.
- Use pretty teapots, cups, and dinnerware.
- Use fancy tablecloths with lace and complimentary napkins.
- Place votive candles around the room.
- Use real or fabric potted plants to add greenery.
Avoid using lots of garish decorations like huge helium balloons or gaudy banners, and stick with more subtle décor.
Put some thought into choosing the perfect location for your tea party. With a bit of advance planning and consideration, your guests will love spending a few hours over a cup of tea, catching up with each other and spending quality time together.
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This page has been accessed 17 times. This page was last modified 02:40, 1 November 2009.
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