A group of women I know who love to plan parties is having a Mad Hatter Tea Party. They are basing the theme loosely on “Alice in Wonderland” and asking all the participants to wear a fun, crazy, whimsical hat. Ladies invited are also being asked to bring a teacup from home to use at the event. (This group runs on a tight budget, so this is a really creative way to get around buying china cups or resorting to Styrofoam.)
The event will take place in a small room with cozy round tables, like you would expect at a tea party. Each table will be decorated with a white linen tablecloth and colorful embellishments. Because 30-40 women are expected at this event, to make it easy for tea to be served, each table’s centerpiece will be a unique china teapot already filled with hot water.
A selection of tea bags will be at the tables for the ladies to choose, pour and begin enjoying. All the tea trimmings–sugar cubes, thin lemon slices and milk–will be at each table.
Food for the tea party will consist of homemade scones, flavored butters, jams and clotted cream. Cucumber and chicken salad tea sandwiches, mini pastries, tea biscuits and lemon tarts will also be on-hand.
There will also be a contest to choose the most original hat, the craziest hat, the prettiest hat and best of show, with prizes for each. Each lady will be given a party favor at the end: a glassine bag filled with assorted tea bags and tied with a ribbon.
The thing I like most about this idea is that it is adaptable to many different groups: book clubs, churches, sororities, civic organizations and charity fund raisers. It’s a fun, creative way to get together, have a few laughs and enjoy the company of others, all while serving delicious food and drinks.
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