How to Host a Blue and White Holiday Tea Party
Host an elegant tea party this holiday season, celebrating friendship and gathering again. With a renewed sense of entertaining and hospitality around the holiday season, choosing a theme like a classic blue and white afternoon tea party will wow your guests.
In this article, learn how to plan and host a blue and white tea party at your home with inspiration from Jennifer Satterfield’s blue and white holiday tea party tablescape design featuring Laura Ashely dinnerware.
Party Planning 101
Start your blue and white holiday tea party planning by creating four important lists that will help you keep organized.
#1 The “To Do List”
Write down everything that needs to happen before your guests arrive, from setting the table to what décor you will use. The “to do list” will serve as the primary guide for planning your tea party and will be a great place to reference the most important tasks to complete.
#2 The “Guest List”
Evaluate the size of your entertaining space, determine how many guests can comfortably fit into your home and who you would like to invite over.
#3 The “Shopping List”
Once you have determined your Tea Party menu, create a full shopping list. Here are a few suggestions:
- Earl Gray Tea
- Chamomile or Mint Tea
- Sugar Cubes
- Honey
- Jam
- Scones
- Petit Fours
- Cucumbers
- Dill
- Cream Cheese
- White Bread
#4 The “Itinerary or Run of Show”
To create your tea party itinerary, start by working backwards from the time guests leave. For example, if you would like for your guests to leave by 4:00 PM, begin with this time and start to work you way up the timeline by including the arrival time of your guests, what time you would like to serve tea. Provide plenty of time for guests to mingle and enjoy conversations.
Tea Party Design Elements
When hosting an elegant tea party, the highlight of the event is the tea and the teacup. The Laura Ashley Blueprint Collection featured in this article makes the perfect pairing for a blue and white holiday tea party. Earl Grey, and herbal teas such as chamomile and mint are excellent selections to have available for your guests.
Planning your menu at your tea party is another element that should be high on your to do list. Petit fours, scones, and cucumber sandwiches are excellent menu choices to serve at your afternoon tea party. Use a three-tiered cake stand to display delicious treats with your guests. Savories and tea sandwiches should be placed on the lower tier, followed by scones with jam and cream on the second tier and sweets on the top tier.
Add unique and subtle holiday touches to your tea party with sprigs of rosemary, cranberries, and a floral arrangement displayed in a teapot creating a vibrant display and centerpiece.
Tea Party Activities
Pop-up shops are a party planning activity trend and it’s here to stay! In a larger event space, invite local and unique pop-up boutiques such as make your own hat bar, a mobile boutique, or a local calligrapher to create special keepsakes for your guests. After enjoying a “spot of tea”, guests will have activities to enjoy throughout the tea party.
Shop the Laura Ashley Blue and White Collection
