"A Yuletide Tea - Part I"


      The most festive tea party of the year is sure to be held during the holidays. Homes are decorated, everyone is in a party mood, and friends and family traditionally get together to spend time with their loved ones. 
      A Yuletide Tea Party is a charming way to celebrate the holidays. There are many sweet and savory treats that you can serve along with your best silver or china teapots brimming with steaming hot tea. Some favorites you might try are “What Would We Do Without Watercress,” “Gobble-Gobblety Good Finger Sandwiches,” “Herbie, the Earl of Sandwich,” “Even Strawberries Dress for Tea,” “Good, Better, Best . . . Brownies,” “A Bit of the Hair of the Dog ... ,” and “Don’t Hang This Cake on the Tree”  (which is scheduled to be published December 5th). You can find the recipes for these and many other sweet and savory treats on the VarieTeas Page of High-SocieTea.com. 
      To kick off the party in style, a pretty invitation is key. You will want to send them out at least four weeks in advance, especially during this time of year when everyone’s date books fill quickly. Here are a few selections that you can print on your color printer, cut out, fill in the blanks and mail.
















                                 

     These invitations will fit in a 5-3/4” X 8-3/4” envelope that you can purchase at any office supply store. 
      It’s always good to ask for an RSVP on your invitations so you know how many people to expect and can plan accordingly. And even putting an RSVP deadline is an extra step that will guarantee successful preparation for your party. 
      Next, you need to decide whether you will have a buffet style or sit down tea party. That might depend on how many guests you will have and the seating capacity of your dining room. If you will have more guests than dining room chairs, then you should opt for a serve-yourself buffet style party. That way, your guests can fill their plates with goodies and either stand around the buffet table to eat and talk, or go into other rooms to sit down and enjoy the party. 
      If you hold a sit-down tea party, it’s helpful to put out name cards at each place setting. You know your guests and their personalities, and you should be able to pair everyone up with compatible table mates to help keep the conversation lively and ensure everyone will have a good time. 
      Here are a few place cards for you to print on your color printer. Cut them out on the solid black lines and fold in half just above the design on the card. Write each person’s name in the blank part of the card and set out at each place setting.


















                            


      To make the name cards even more special, use a pen with colored ink that matches one of the predominant colors in the place card design. Or opt for a shimmering gold or silver ink. And write the names in your best script handwriting, or use a calligraphy style if you know how.

      Stay tuned for next week's High-SocieTea e-newsletter, "A Yuletide Tea - Part II."  You will see suggested holiday tablesettings and ideas for creating your own party favors.  You will also receive instructions on fun party games to enjoy with your guests.