VictorianStation.com
Lifestlye Links
A
Victorian Teatime Treasury
A Victorian Tea Party
is something of a cross between a formal
sit-down function and
a buffet because you are offering
hors d’oeuvres-type finger
foods in an elegant, seated environment.
Following are a few hosting
tips you might want to consider for your Victorian Tea Party:
A centerpiece is not
necessary since the tea service itself will provide a focal point.
However, you may choose
to enhance your table with a spray of roses or a delicate floral arrangement.
Be sure that any centerpiece
is low enough to allow guests to easily see over and around.
Plan to have at
least two of each type of hors d’oeuvres for each guest.
Have places set for each
guest. You need only set a minimum of cutlery and dishes, though. Set places
with napkins, cups and saucers, dessert plates, dessert forks, tea spoons
and butter knives.
Remember when placing
cutlery that forks go on the left, spoons and knives on the right. Place
knives with blades pointed toward the plate.
Because you will
be serving finger foods, you may also set a finger bowl of warm water at
each setting. Garnish with a lemon and sprig of mint or a tiny rosebud.
Etiquette was extremely
important in every day life during the Victorian era.
Related: See some
nice Christmas Tea Recipes on this page of
Teas2Dine4
Purchase:
2004 Victorian Tea by
Sandy Lynam Clough : Wall Calendar
From the Publisher
Sandy Lynam Clough's
calendar for 2004 is a must-have for her many ardent fans,
and is sure to attract
many more.
Take a little time out
for tea this year with the help of these charming illustrations.
Purchase this Charming
Victorian Hat Tea pot
at : http://www.vistamall.com/tea-pots/3200.asp
(under $35)
find many more spots
of Tea-pot collectibles on this page of my site
http://teas2dine4.com/teapotcollect.html
Doll patterns to order
[Note: this is an *Autralian site]
High
Tea Society Dolls
Order the Following Book:
For help with Your "Victorian
Tea"
Victorian
Parlors and Tea Parties
by Patricia B. Mitchell
Published 1991, ISBN
0-925117-36-6
5.5" x 8.5" soft cover,
saddle-stitched
"The tea meal," especially
as practiced
in the American home
during the Victorian period.
42 authentic and commemorative
recipes
appropriate to reenacted
Victorian teas.
36 pages of text,
with 88 research notes.
$4.00 each.
$4.50 shipping per order
(continental U.S.A.)
To order, call toll-free
1-800-967-2867.
or order from Barnes
& Noble online
Other B&N titles of
interest:
A
Victorian Christmas Tea
Catherine Palmer
With Peggy Stoks With Diana Crawford
ISBN: 0842377751
Publisher: Tyndale House
Publishers
Pub. Date: September
1997
From the Publisher
A Victorian Christmas
Tea is a sure romance hit. Each of the four novellas in this charming anthology
is set in a different region of nineteenth-century America, and each involves
a delightful Christmas tea. Wholesome, uplifting romance is coupled with
strong biblical values and—as a special bonus—authentic recipes are included
at the end of each inspiring story! A "must buy" for fans of Christmas
by the Hearth, readers of quality Christian romance, and the recipe collector
in
every family.
Due out October 2003
Victorian
Tea Spirit: A Girl's Guide to Her Secret Self
Frances Maree Norton
Paperback, October 2003
Samantha's
Cook Book: (American Girls Collection Series: Samantha)
ISBN: 1562471147
Publisher: Pleasant Company
Publications
Pub. Date: September
1994
From the Publisher
Easy recipes help girls
make Samantha's favorite foods.
Tips for setting an elegant
table and planning a proper Victorian tea party are included.
How
to Serve a Proper Victorian Tea:
Using Antique China and
Silver To Bring The Past To The Present
Carole Pichney
ISBN: 1575023067
Publisher: Morris Publishing
Pub. Date: September
1996
Victorian
Cup of Tea: A Guide to Victorian Entertaining
Frances Norton
ISBN: 096329380X
Publisher: Norto, Frances
M.
Pub. Date: March
1992
Eras
of Elegance
The
Victorian Era
The Victorian era corresponds
with the reign of
Queen Victoria in England
from 1839 to 1901.
TEA WITH QUEEN VICTORIA
http://www.erasofelegance.com/victorianrecipes.html
TEA WITH FRIENDS: A VICTORIAN
TRADITION
http://www.erasofelegance.com/teawithfriends.html
CREATING A FESTIVE VICTORIAN
TABLE
http://www.erasofelegance.com/holidayent.html
Victorian Party Games
http://www.erasofelegance.com/november2001.html#3
Plan a Victorian Tea Party
http://www.logicmgmt.com/1876/hostatea.htm
DIYNet - Victorian Tea
Party
http://www.diynet.com/DIY/article/0,2058,1678,00.html
Afternoon Tea - A Victorian
Tradition
http://www.geocities.com/victorianlace10/tea1.html
Victorian Tea Etiquette
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/3250/Tea.html
Victorian Etiquette
http://www.erasofelegance.com/etiquette.html
Sonya's Tea for Two has
some Victorian Tea recipes and
general information about
tea, etc.
http://www.marvelicious.com/tea.html
From the Gilded Lily & Ladies' Tea
Guild - some Tea Party Ideas
http://www.glily.com/teathemes.html
From Caroline's Country
Cottage:
Hosting a Victorian Ladies
Tea Party
childcareangel.tripod.com/carolinescountrycottage/id97.html
From Planners Guide.com
Planning
a Victorian Style Tea Party
Related: Planning a Victorian
Bridal Tea Shower
Victorian Tea Time
Theme Help
http://www.foreverwed1.com/articles/bridal_showers/84567f.html
Cream Tea Menu and Setup
The
Proper Afternoon Tea Set-up
The image of tea, its
presentation and the importance of good housekeeping
www.five-roses.com/tea_info/teatime_presentation.htm
A Victorian Tea : How
to Host Your Own
http://www.logicmgmt.com/1876/hostatea.htm
Mother´s Day Party
Theme - Victorian Tea Party
http://www.partypop.com/themes/SPEC0028.html
Victorian Tea & Proper
Victorian Etiquette
www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/3250/Tea.html
**Note** when visiting
this page Aug. 2002 - there was a java scripting error
in the "html/scripts"
of the site page
You should know, that
pages with "scripting" errors may not load for some who use Netscape,
or earlier versions of
Internet Explorer as their Browser.
From VictorianFlair.net
~ See:
Victorian
Afternoon Tea
Includes information
and recipes
www.victorianflair.net/VictorianAftrnTea.html
Victorian Picnic Etiquette
From: Victorian Rituals
Tea Thyme
home.kendra.com/victorianrituals/Victor/etiquette.htm
Join the Victorian "Home
Decorating" Group at
groups.yahoo.com/group/VictorianDecorator
The Scrap Album has some
interesting Victorian Links to explore
Sites to find info/ideas
& products for crafts, and Victorian information
www.scrapalbum.com/page5.htm
Victorian Activity Page
http://www.mchistsoc.org/tea.htm
One link leads to Averyl's
Attic - Your treasure chest of Victorian Curiosities
and find under "Entertaining"
A
Pink Tea Party
From "Aunt Babette's
Cook Book," 1889
Another "link" fest for
Victoriana can be found at Victoriana.com, Study Center
Learn all about the Victorian
Era - tends towards more Historical information of the times
www.victoriana.com/library/website.html
Victorian Stationary,
Planning guides, etc.
http://www.plannersguide.com/
Purchase a pattern for
a Hat - to wear to Tea
"Lady Abigail"
Elegant Victorian Hat Pattern
http://www.victorianvisits.com/html/memorabilia1.htm
Purchase: Victorian
Etiquette Napkins (Set of 4)
Purchase : Victorian Accents
A unique collection
of Victorian white and rustic iron accent pieces. Featuring Urn Candleholders,
Wall Sconces, Candlestakes, Planters and Flower Arrangers. Sure to add
stately elegance to your Victorian decorating design.
http://www.englishcreekgardens.com/VictorianAccents.htm
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Victorian Recipe:
During Queen Victoria's
64-year reign, afternoon tea became a beloved English tradition.
This simple, very pretty
sponge cake, filled with a layer of jam and whipped cream,
was one of the queen's
favorites.
Victoria
Sponge
Yields: 1 7-inch, 2-layer
cake
Work Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
The Cake:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted
butter
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon milk, room
temperature
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Salt
Confectioner's sugar
The Filling:
1 cup heavy cream
5 tablespoons strawberry
or raspberry jam
1. Preheat the oven to
375 degrees F.
2. Grease and flour 2
7-inch round cake pans.
3. Melt butter in a small
saucepan over low heat, or in a microwave.
4. In a medium bowl, beat
together eggs and milk. Add sugar and beat hard until thoroughly combined.
5. Sift together the flour,
baking powder, and a pinch of salt, then fold gently into egg mixture.
Stir in melted butter and mix well with a wooden spoon just until the butter
is thoroughly incorporated into the batter.
6. Divide batter between
the 2 prepared pans. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cakes have risen
and turned golden. They should spring back when pressed lightly with a
finger.
7. Remove from oven. Cool
in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely
before filling.
8. Choose one of the cakes
as the bottom layer. If necessary, trim the top with a knife so it is flat.
8. Whip the cream until
stiff. Spread top of bottom cake layer with jam. Spread a layer of whipped
cream on top of jam. Place second cake flat side down on top of filling.
9. To decorate, place
a 7-inch doily on cake top and lightly sift confectioner's sugar over it.
Carefully remove doily, leaving a lacy pattern on cake. If strawberries
are available, an alternative decoration is to pipe a ring of whipped cream
rosettes around cake, setting a single lush strawberry in the center of
each rosette.
10. Cut in wedges to serve.
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The Following are a few
tidbits
of interesting etiquette
trivia from the
Youth’s Educator for
Home and Society
to share with friends
over tea and crumpets:
A lady at a ball
should not burden a gentleman with her gloves,
fan and bouquet to hold
while she dances, unless he is her husband or brother.
A business address
should never be seen on a visiting card.
A card with a photograph
on it is a piece of vulgar conceit.
The only gifts
which should pass between ladies
and gentlemen who are
not relatives are books,
flowers, music and confectionery.
Do not be too familiar
on short acquaintance.
Nor presume to address
them by the first name.
This is a presumption
which some people never forgive.
A host should see
that he has no wallflowers in his home,
by providing such ladies
with partners,
in an unobtrusive manner,
so as not to wound their self-esteem.
When a gentleman goes
to a ball without a lady
he must place himself
at the disposal of the hostess,
and dance with any ladies
she selects for him.
During a walk in the
country,
ascending a hill, or
walking on a bank of a stream,
if the lady becomes fatigued
and sits upon the ground,
do not seat yourself
by her,
but remain standing until
she is rested sufficiently to proceed.
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The Language of the Fan:
Website informational
resources
Flirting with fans
Quoted from site:
http://www.stormi.com/luv.html
Since strict social codes
limited flirtation and verbal expression in Victorian times,
ladies often used their
fans to communicate their feelings.
Victorian ~ Language of
Flowers
Read online : excerpts
from Flowers, the Angels' Alphabet
by Susan Loy © 2001
by CSL Press and Susan Loy.
HISTORY
OF THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS
In Victorian times, the
gift of a flower or a bouquet carried more messages than such a gift might
today.
above line, quoted from
home.attbi.com/~klbryant/flowers.html
Read another quote from:
www.literary-liaisons.com/article008.html
Victorian women elaborated
on floriography (the assigning of meanings to flowers), expressing their
feelings within the boundaries of a strict etiquette. Flowers afforded
them a silent language that allowed them to communicate many sentiments
that the propriety of the times would not normally allow. This practice
was especially popular amongst lovers. Also, anything that carried the
scent of a particular plant, like a handkerchief, carried the same message.
More Websites with information:
Purchase online: Language
of Flowers - Deck
of Playing Cards $6.00
Description quoted from
online purchase site
In the Victorian Era,
people delighted in using flowers to express different sentiments. this
beautiful deck of playing cards pictures 55 flowers and tells the messages
they convey. The deck is suitable for most standard card games.
www.mystery-games.com/wooden-horse/lanofflowpla.html
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of page
Victorian
Etiquette resource sites:
Emily Post (1873–1960).
Etiquette. 1922.
Chapter XIII.
Teas and Other Afternoon
Parties
http://www.bartleby.com/95/13.html
Etiquette
in Giving Christmas Gifts
Adapted
from Ingalls’ Home Magazine, December1887
www.victorianlinks.com/elegancies/01/12/etiquette.shtml
Etiquette
for the Ball Room
65.107.211.206/history/Etiquette.html
Manners
Culture and Dress of the Best American Society
Victorian
Dancing Etiquette
www.burrows.com/other/manners.html
Speaking
of "Dress & Attire"
Visit
Vintage Accessories for some excellent Victorian options in accessories
www.victorianelegance.com/accesind.html
Such
as Fans, Hat pins
and Hair Combs
Interesting
reading on Bartleby.com
Henry
James. (1843–1916). The Portrait of a Lady.
The
Harvard Classics Shelf of Fiction. 1917.
Chapter
I
http://www.bartleby.com/311/1.html
"UNDER
certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the
hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
Quote
by Stan Hey
"The
pleasures of afternoon tea run like a trickle of honey through English
literature from Rupert Brooke’s wistful lines on the Old Vicarage at Grantchester
to Miss Marple, calmly dissecting a case over tea cakes at a seaside hotel".
Attributed
to article: Join the Tea-Set Ceremony / London Times / May 4, 1885
Calling
Card etiquette
http://www.victoriana.com/library/ccard2.html
How
To Use Calling Cards
http://www.riricyberhaven.com/CallingCards/Victorian.html
Calling
Cards
http://www.starrlyn.com/starr/cards1.html
Victorian
Dancing Etiquette
http://www.burrows.com/other/manners.html
Etiquette
in Giving Christmas Gifts
Adapted
from Ingalls’ Home Magazine, December1887
http://www.victorianlinks.com/elegancies/01/12/etiquette.shtml
Victorain
Etiquette for "Men"
A
Select Bibliography of Victorian Etiquette Sources
Compiled
by Walter Nelson
http://www.lahacal.org/mannerbib.html
Michelle Cox whose website
is at :
http://www.victorianadventures.com
Conducts summer classes
for young ladies in Fayetteville, GA
Some of the instruction
includes teaching the language of the fan,
she also teaches history
and about tea etiquette.
Visit and learn about
this wonderful learning experience
1800s Day Camp for Girls
http://www.victorianadventures.com/daycamp.html
The Victorian Station
http://www.victorianstation.com/
The Victorian Web
http://65.107.211.206/victov.html
Deanna's World Victorian
Treasures
http://www.dworldonline.com/victoria.htm
Victorian Events Calendar
http://www.burrows.com/events.html
The Victorian Ladies Society
http://www.geocities.com/victorian_ladies/
The Gibson Girls
Quoted from site:
http://www.geocities.com/gibsongirls2001/
Who are we you ask? The
Gibson Girls are an online group for young ladies
who prefer a gentler
place in time when manners and morals ruled the day
and ladies and gentleman
behaved as such.
Victoriana
http://www.victoriana.com/welcome/
Victorian themed webpage
sets for those of you interested in creating
a site of your own..Please
note there are many sites that have Free graphics etc and
websets. This is just
an example of one site that has some very nice ones.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/6248/gingers_graphics/victorian.html
Ginger's
Old Tyme Graphics Emporium top border sets
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/6248/gingers_graphics/tborder-v.html
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Current Self-Paced Classes
Offered by
The Victorian and Edwardian
Ladies League
Quoted from site:
http://www.flinc.net/vell/vellclasses.htm
Let our self-paced, rewarding
classes help you. Learn to throw a ladies tea party or a nursery tea. Make
a special craft just like your ancestors did. Indulge yourself in knowledge
and study. Enjoy the pastimes of our Victorian predecessors.
Each class is instructed
by a reputable teacher, dedicated to helping bring out the best in each
student. These classes are for self-improvement and enjoyment only.
http://www.flinc.net/vell/vellclasses.htm
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Victorian Tea Reading
Successful Victorian Tea
Reading begins with the selection of
a fine loose-leaf tea.
It provides better flavor
than tea bags
and the grounds can be
used for tea readings.
A tealeaf reading is
a way of telling a person’s fortune.
After participants have
finished their tea, have each person swirl
the remaining leaves
in a clockwise motion several times.
Allow the tea and leaves
to settle.
Gently drain the liquid
from the cup.
The tea grounds will
form patterns and
symbols at the bottom
and along the sides of the teacup.
The closer to the bottom
of the cup the patterns are,
the longer distance in
time until the event will occur.
Following are a few of
the many symbols and patterns you may find:
Acorn – prosperity or
good health
Airplane – an impending
journey or a rise in position
Apple – achievement
Baby – small worries
Ball – variable fortunes
Bell – unexpected news
Birds – good news or
a journey
Boat – a visit from a
friend
Butterfly – fickleness
Candle – help from others
Cat – deception or a
false friend
Chain – engagement or
wedding
Circle – success, completion;
can also mean a baby coming
Coin – money
Crescent moon – prosperity
and good fortune
Cross – suffering or
a sacrifice
Cup – a reward
Dog – good friend; if
at bottom, a friend needs help
Egg – good omen
Elephant – wisdom and
strength
Eye – caution
Fan – flirtation
Feather – lack of concentration
Fish – good fortune
Forked line – a decision
to be made
Gate – opportunity or
future success
Glass – integrity
Grapes – happiness
Hand –open means friendship;
closed means an argument
Harp – love, harmony
Hat – improvement, especially
in a new job
Jewels – gifts
Kite – wish will come
true
Knife – a broken friendship
Ladder – promotion
Line – straight means
progress; wavy means uncertain path
Mountain – goals with
obstacles
Mouse – theft
Necklace – unbroken means
admirers; broken means danger of losing a lover
Parasol or umbrella –
new lover
Pig – greed
Question mark – need
for caution
Rose – popularity
Snake – an enemy, or
wisdom
Spider – reward for work
Spoon – generosity
Square – news about money
Thimble – changes at
home
Turtle – constructive
criticism
Tower – disappointment
Triangle – an unexpected
occurrence
Wings – messages
Tea Leaf Readings ~ Tasseography
~
How to tell your fortune
in tea leaves
http://www.vtek.chalmers.se/~v92tilma/tea/misc/fortune.html
The Art of Reading Tea
Leaves
http://members.aol.com/wazee17th/tasseo.htm
So you wanna read tea
leaves:
http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/tealeaves/tealeaves.html
Books:
Tea-Cup
Reading and the Art of Fortune Telling by Tea-Leaves
A Highland Seer
ISBN: 0787312827
Publisher: Health Research
Pub. Date: September
1996
Reading
Tea Leaves
Publisher: Clarkson N.
Potter; ISBN: 0517700344; (February 1995)
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Hosting Tips and
Etiquette
How do you handle the
situation if someone brings a
covered dish to a party
that is not potluck?
When should you be ready
to receive guests?
If a guest presents you
with a bottle of wine,
are you obligated to
open it?
Find the answers below.
These tips are appropriate
for any occasion.
Clearly indicate the
duration and
start time of your party
on the invitation.
If a guest presents you
with a bottle of wine,
you are not obligated
to open it.
Politely thank the guest
and accept the bottle.
Be sure to send a note
of thanks the next day.
If someone brings a covered
dish that you did not request,
just graciously say “thank
you.”
Don’t get caught with
your potholders on!
Be ready to receive guests
as early as one half hour
before the time on your
invitation.
Although every party
is a combination of similar
components, there are
varying specifics
to each theme as well.
For instance, use and
placement of dinnerware
and cutlery differs vastly
on a buffet table
than in a formal dining
situation.
Seating and serving arrangements,
centerpieces, and linen
selection are other
variables that are integral
to the overall look and flow of your party.
Here is a trusty
guide to help with your table seating.
First, you have to consider
the size of the tables:
36” table seats
4 or fewer
48” table seats
6-8 (6 comfortably)
60” table seats
8-10 (8 very comfortably, but most people do put 10 people at these table)
72” table seats 10-12
(10 very comfortably, plus you'll want to have some centerpieces)
Proper Table Settings
for a Tea Buffet
Quoted from:
http://thetearoom.8m.com/table10.htm
For A Tea Party
What is the proper etiquette
of serving tea at a "Tea Party" and the proper setting of the table----I
have every thing(I think) but not sure how to go about setting the table
and serving the tea (along with ornate cookies and cakes)
Answer:
A tea party is like any
other type of adult oriented party. It may be sit-down formal or
may be served buffet style, depending on your preference. If it is
a relaxed (yet elegant) buffet, you need to set a sideboard (or buffet
table) with the tea service, cups, saucers, spoons, dessert items, dessert
plates, forks (if needed) and the napkins (clothe is preferred, but certainly
not necessary. They sell many wonderfully attractive paper napkins
today). Allow each guest to serve themselves.
If on the other hand you
intend to have a formal seated affair, then the table should be set much
as you would for a dinner party sans the dinner dishes and extra
silver. Of course, a dessert fork, knife, and teaspoon must
be set on the table. The Dessert plate is set in the lead spot with
the saucer and tea cup on top of this. Although I have seen
them set to the upper right corner by themselves, as well.
On a buffet table or sideboard
lay out your tea. It is best if you offer coffee as well as tea (one
at each end of the table). You will need a full service of
each with tray. Beginning in the center of your table set your cookies
and petit fours, etc. Now going in both directions on the buffet
table place the eating utensils, the napkins, a bowl of lemon wedges, sugar,
creamer, and finally your tea or coffee service with cups and saucers on
or next to it.
If this is an intimate
affair then the hostess may serve the tea from her seat. If however
it is a large group of people, serving should be done by standing to the
right of each person when pouring. I highly recommend the buffet
for this type of party. I also recommend a bowl/basket of fresh fruit
be offered for the non-sweets eaters in the group.
A top ten list of etiquette blunders
that you and/or your kids should avoid.
1. Not placing your napkin
in your lap.
2. Talking with your
mouth full.
3. Reaching across others
for any table item.
4. Slurping or smacking
your lips.
5. Asking for seconds
before being offered.
6. Not passing the salt
and pepper together.
7. Doing all the talking.
8. Doing none of the
talking.
9. Pushing food onto
your fork with your finger.
10. Moving your plate
away when you're finished.
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Victorian Childrens
Tea Party
Quoted from:* *Note:
this link no longer works**
http://www.nwikids.net/Parties/For_Girls/for_girls.html
Every girl wants to have
a tea party to sip some tea and nibble on dainty sweets with her friends,
late in the afternoon. There are many ways to have a tea party, just
like the characters in the American Girl™ books. We have included some
suggestions on how to make your girl's party special for her and her guests.
by Dawn Hogan of New Beginnings
by C & H, Inc.
There are many ways to
hold a tea party, just like the characters in the American Girl™ books.
The girls had many themed parties, such as garden teas, doll teas and crafts
teas, to name a few. When choosing a theme for your tea party, choose
a theme based on your child's hobbies or interests, and go from there.
For example, if she likes dressing up, have a formal, dress-up tea party.
It is important to follow your theme, beginning with the invitations and
ending with the favors that each guest receives before leaving. Remember
to include in each invitation that the guests should bring their dolls.
Invitations
You need to decide where
you will be holding the party - on the front porch? in the back yard?
in the kitchen, dining room, or living room? or somewhere else?
You will want to make it feel as if your guests are part of the Victorian
era. Once your decide where the party will be held, you can begin
the invitations.
Here are some clever invitation
ideas that we have designed for our clients:
Victorian Wrapping Paper
Invites: use wrapping paper and white paper. Cut a small square
out of the center of the white paper and then glue the white paper to the
wrapping paper. Write your party particulars on the white paper section.
Victorian Post Card Invites:
write the details of the party on the back of each postcard
Invitations can be mailed
or hand delivered. We tell our clients that the invitation makes
or breaks the party.
Menu and Serving Suggestions
Whatever your choice
of food (dainty sandwiches, fancy biscuits, and mouth watering sweets are
standard), it will be most elegantly served if you add little touches.
You can use lace tablecloths, linen napkins and a porcelain tea set, or
plastic table covers with paper napkins and paper plates. Try these
extras for elegance and grace:
Napkins: Add
little butterflies to your napkin holders, or, fold your napkin in a special
way so that it will hold a flower.
Cake: Have a birthday
cake made in the shape of a teapot.
Table: Use doilies under
your food trays and use specially shaped butter. (Buy a candy mold
and add softened butter. Chill and pop out gently for decorated butter
pats). Scatter rose petals on the table. Place a set of children's
lace gloves at each place setting.
Chairs: Dress the
back of each chair with tulle and silk flowers.
These are the little
extras that really make the difference and make your party a huge success.
Have a Plan
Children get bored quickly.
Before your party guests arrive, have a plan as to how you will co-ordinate
the events so that there is no time lapse between activities. Here
is an example of a schedule:
Greet guests
Have something to eat
Make a craft or play
a game
Have cake
Open presents
Allow the children some
time at the end of the party to look at or play with the gifts before they
leave.
Tea Party Crafts
Make Victorian Calling
Cards
You can pre-make these
cards on the computer using a business card program and different colors
of paper. Then, let the guests dress them up with glitter, beads,
markers, etc. (see the sample, above)
Tussy Mussy
Make a cone shape from
a paper doily, glue or tape together, and then add silk or fresh flowers.
Decorate your Own Straw
Hat
Have each guest bring
an old straw hat (or buy them at a garage sale or discount store).
Decorate with a variety of silk flowers and ribbons.
Flower Sachets
Buy some potpourri.
Cut out white tulle circles. Place the potpourri in the middle of
the tulle circle and tie with a pretty ribbon. Dress it up with small
flowers.
Party Favor Ideas
The favor is meant for
your guests as a thank you and a remembrance of the fun that they had.
Here are a few ideas
to get you started:
Candy Teacup
(place a little candy
in a cup dressed with tulle and ribbon)
Lace Gloves
Little Dress-Up Outfits
Personal tea sets (you
can purchase small sets in miniature)
Feather fan or lace fan
Ring assortment
Treat box
Hats
These items can also be
used as little giveaways for games or crafts. When you have a theme
party, the ideas start to roll in...
Party Tip:
Always take a sample invitation to the post office to check correct postage.
Party Links and Resources
Note
some of this information may be outdated!
1. New Beginnings
by C & H, Inc. Party Planning and Decorating.
They can supply you with
all of the resources and supplies for putting on a celebration.
Complete party kits are
available. Call 219-793-1606 or 219-708-802-1903.
2. American Girl™
Doll Furniture So many designs to choose - all hand made - simply
beautiful!
3. She's All Dolled
Up Fine doll clothing for the American Girl™ dolls. Includes
dresses, skirts, overalls, and pajamas. The designs are simply darling.
4. Calories Plus
Bake Shop (219)736-6841 The best teapot cakes. To see a picture
of a teapot cake, check out the New Beginnings web site.
5. Need a tea table
and chairs, or complete tea party paper ware and decor?
Dawn Hogan is the president
and celebration specialist of New Beginnings by C & H, Inc. She
is a regular contributor to Northwest Indiana Kidsnet, Source Magazine
and several local newspapers. New Beginnings also offers seminars
at Barnes and Noble (Indiana and Illinois) for party planning and decorating
for all occasions. Her consulting services are used by novice planners,
associations, clubs and organizations.
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Other Ideas for Victorian
Tea & Backyard Parties:
English Afternoon Tea
on the Lawn
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A542053
Play Croquet
Rules for Croquet
http://www.croquet.com/rulesregs/
Rules & History
http://members.ams.chello.nl/vleeschd/
Mad Hatter Tea Party
http://www.boardmanweb.com/party/mad_hat.htm
Alice in Wonderland -
Online text
CHAPTER VIII
The Queen's Croquet-Ground
http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/People/rgs/alice-VIII.html
CHAPTER VII
A MAD TEA-PARTY
http://www.sabian.org/alicech7.htm
Sweet Sixteen Party Theme
- High Tea at Hyde Park
http://www.partypop.com/themes/SW160001.html
June's Strawberry Regale
Tea
http://www.teawithfriends.com/junetea.htm
See this Limited
edition print
Tea Time from Only Croquet
http://www.onlycroquet.com/bigtea.htm
Finding Victorian themed
"tea" items can often find unusual of difficult to obtain items such as
the
Barbie - Mint Tea
Excerpt quoted from website:
http://www.dazzlingdolls.com/barbie/dazzling.html?125
Mint Memories
Mint Memories™ Barbie®
doll, inspired by her namesake - mint tea, is the premiere doll in the
Victorian Tea Porcelain Collection and the first porcelain Barbie with
a poseable head
Design a Victorian
Mini Tea Room Setting for your Barbie Dolls
buy the doll furniture
at:
http://victorianwoodshop.com/dolls9.html
For one inch scale Tea
sets for 1inch scale doll houses and tea room settings
visit:
http://www.miniaturez.com/
See other resources
for Miniatures and Miniature
Printables
See this beautiful doll
with a mini Blue Willow tea set
Willow - from Delton
Dolls
http://www.myvictoriantreasures.com/delton_details.asp?ProductID=21
**See
My Victorian Treasures.com's wonderful selection of "Fairy
Dolls" too**
See more Dolls with
Teatime themes on the 4childteas.html page
See some nice ideas
for Victorian or Chintz tea favors for your next party
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/distinctive-decor/teapartyfavors.html
Purchase:
http://www.101bridalgowns.com/Directory/Special_Parties_Tea_Party/v2043736.htm
A VICTORIAN TEA GARDEN
TEA PARTY IN A BOX
(This party is for purchases)
~1 China Teapot~
~6 matching china cups
& saucers~
~1 matching china creamer~
~1 matching china sugar
bowl with cover~
~6 Party Favors
~6 Feather Boas
~6 Postcard Invitations
~6 rings ~ 6 necklaces
~ 6 bracelets~
~1 gourmet "special-tea
presented in a white ribboned bag (your chice of featured teas)~
~1 beautifully packaged
Sparkling Rainbow confetti sugar crystals
~A special gift fir the
birthday princess~
Rent A Tea Party is delivered
& picked up from your Orange County home.
Tea Party In A Box may
be hand delivered to your home or mailed anywhere in America.
http://www.101bridalgowns.com/Directory/Special_Parties_Tea_Party/v2043736.htm
Another site to order
a Tea Party In A Box - Visit:
Victorian Tea Party-in-a-Box
from The Charming Teapot
www.greatstuff.com/tpb.html
Visit Carole Pichney -
The Tea Lady's website VictorianTea.com
www.victoriantea.com/
Visit: Victoria &
Grace - Victorian Emporium Links
www.geocities.com/heartland/cottage/8015/emporium.html
Order online "Victorian
Tea" Invitations - have professionaly imprinted
www.galaxymall.com/site/333702/page/48956
For Marvelicious
Designs Border Tea Backgrounds for Websites
Visit: www.geocities.com/Wellesley/9402/bg7.html
Miscellaneous
Information
Related to Victorian times - and also
the Wearing of Hats (modern day)
What exactly is
a tea society?
See information in this
regard from the Hunter House Victorian Museum (Norfolk, VA)
http://development.whro.net/hunterhouse/onlineTeaSociety/
Example Links to: Tea
Society's
http://www.sandysteasociety.com/
http://www.geocities.com/ladys_tea_society/
http://www.discoverymuseumoc.org/vts/
http://www.highteasociety.com/program.htm
http://community.cleveland.com/cc/VLTS
Red Hat Society
http://www.redhatsociety.org/
Raspberry Tarts
http://www.raspberrytarts.com/2001story.shtml
MZ-TEA-Rious Ladies
http://www.geocities.com/mzteas/
The Dixie Scarlets
http://hometown.aol.com/gail91240/myhomepage/club.html
The Purple Hat Ladies
Tea Society
http://www.breadnmolasses.com/id85.html
http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/rayjoanc/phlts.htm
When
I Am An Old Woman.Com
welcomes you to learn
just about everything you ever wanted to know
about the popular poem:
Warning, by Jenny Joseph
WARNING
When I am an old woman
I shall wear purple
With a red hat which
doesn't go and doesn't suit me...
http://www.wheniamanoldwoman.com/
BOOK:
When
I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple
Sandra Martz
ISBN: 1576010783
4th ed. 2003
Tea
with Miss Rose Recipes and Reminiscences of Boston's Teacup Society
by Elizabeth Driscoll,
Elaine Negroponte, Belinda Rathbone (Contributor)
ISBN: 0972115501
2002
Amazing Woman's. Ladies
Who Wear Purple and a Red Hat! Webring
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