Introduction: The Allure of Hosting a Tea Party
The practice of drinking tea alone or in a group setting has a long history In many parts of our world, especially in Britain during the 1840s. Many historians give the Duchess of Bedford, Anna Marie Russell, credit for beginning the tradition of taking afternoon tea. The custom in society at the time was to consume a large breakfast early and then dinner that evening at 8 pm. The duchess, who was a close friend of Queen Victoria, complained about the long time between these meals and the faint feeling she would often experience. She began drinking hot tea with a light meal at 4 p.m. The practice spread rapidly as the duchess began inviting guests to join her for her tea party.
Attending my first tea party.
My own first experience of a tea party was in November of 2024. One of my friendly neighbors arranged a party at a local tea house for the ladies in our neighborhood. There were seven of us who travelled together to nearby Gentry, Arkansas to the Cottage Gardens Tea Room.
We arrived and entered the country style home to the sight of a beautifully decorated table covered with a white tablecloth and filled with pretty patterned teacups and saucers, linen napkins; and were soon served with scrumptious looking finger sandwiches, scones and small fruits and desserts along with a choice of teas.
Our group had a great time visiting with each other, discussing the different teas we drank and the dainty sandwiches and other items served Our hostess introduced us to several different teas and talked about the difference between bagged and loose leaf teas. It was a friendly and beautiful time to talk and enjoy together. We visited the small shop and saw various tea related items such as teapots and teacups, books, and teas we could purchase to take home.
I was very impressed by that experience as part of a group enjoying the lovely setting, delicious food and great company. In fact, I fell in love with tea parties and tea that day. I decided that day I was going to host many tea parties in the future. I began reading and researching and joining several FaceBook Tea groups. I’ve learned a lot and there is still more to learn. But I know that Tea and Tea Parties are part of my life now. My next post will be about how I planned my own hosted tea party.
Gallery of Party Images
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