The Victorian Tea

Over the years I have loved going to tea parties and hosting them. Once again I feel the urge to invite some ladies over for tea to share our hearts and encourage one another. There is nothing like good friends getting together and making memories~which is something I feel is so fascinating and lovely about having tea.

There are different kinds of tea. There is a high tea and a low or afternoon tea. Do you know the difference?

High Tea is often a misnomer. Most people refer to afternoon tea as high tea because they think it sounds regal and lofty, when in all actuality, high tea, or "meat tea" is dinner. High tea, in Britain, at any rate, tends to be on the heavier side. American hotels and tea rooms, on the other hand, continue to misunderstand and offer tidbits of fancy pastries and cakes on delicate china when they offer a "high tea."

Afternoon tea (because it was usually taken in the late afternoon) is also called "low tea" because it was usually taken in a sitting room or withdrawing room where low tables (like a coffee table) were placed near sofas or chairs generally in a large withdrawing room. There are three basic types of Afternoon, or Low Tea:

Cream Tea - Tea, scones, jam and cream

Light Tea - Tea, scones and sweets

Full Tea - Tea, savories, scones, sweets and dessert

In England, the traditional time for tea was four or five o'clock and no one stayed after seven o'clock. Most tea rooms today serve tea from three to five o'clock. The menu has also changed from tea, bread, butter and cakes, to include three particular courses served specifically in this order:

Savories - Tiny sandwiches or appetizers

Scones - Served with jam and Devonshire or clotted cream

Pastries - Cakes, cookies, shortbread and sweets

Now that you know the difference,
take a peek at this Whimsical Garden Tea!

(Don't you love the chandelier?)

The crisp and fruitful Summer Tea

and gather your lovely little daughters for...

The Enchanting Butterfly Fairy Tea

(A memory I am sure this daughter will never forget!)

The elegant and favorite Doll Tea

(The Life of Faith Dolls, Christian with books that are Christ centered)

Whatever tea you choose, it can be as simple or as elegant and full of pomp as you would like!
I think my next one will be on the simple and relaxing side.

Lady Lydia's (Homeliving) daughter, Lillibeth, at The Pleasant Times has a few nice posts on tea:

Tea Times

Spring Tea

If you didn't already know, Stacy McDonald is hosting a tea you won't want to miss:

Reformation Ladies Tea 2010

and Jasmine Baucham, Stacy and Sandy Grutzius will be the speakers.
While you are there check out the tables, they all have beautiful creative themes.

What a great idea!



If you would like to view some of my past tea parties that I have held for my daughters, you can click below:

The Princess Tea Party

The Christmas Doll Tea Party

A favorite quote about tea:

I always fear that Creation will expire before teatime.

~Sydney Smith








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