High Tea: 50th Birthday

A spot of tea..... anyone?

A while back I came up with a brilliant idea of hosting a high tea for my aunt/god-mother's 50th birthday.  Funny thing.... I knew nothing about traditional teas at the time.  Seeking guidance in everyone I knew helped make this a true authentic English high tea.

It was a surprise party so we had people arrive early to enjoy small snacks and MIMOSAS! 

SET-UP

Nice Linens, fresh flowers, three tier tea server, tea pots and a variety of fun tea cups.

We had  4 loose teas and 6 tea pots.

Earl Grey and English Breakfast are a MUST at any high tea.  

These tea cozies helped keep the tea pots warm throughout the tea party.  

SURPRISE!  

My Aunt/God-mother was blindfolded and driven to my house.  She had no clue that her friends and family were ready to greet her once that blindfold came off.  

It was quite a SURPRISE. 

FOOD

I'm a bad blogger and forgot to take pictures of the beautiful food.  

Things you will need though......

First course: Tea sandwiches.  Variations of tuna, egg, cucumber, lox, etc.  

Second course: Scones!  I made scones for the first time ever and they came out pretty good. I found an easy mix from my local specialty store.  We had lavender, apricot and raisin scones.

You must have a variation of jams on the table.  We had apricot, strawberry, and homemade raspberry (made by my friend, Dee Dee).    You also must have clotted cream to keep things authentic.   Clotted cream is hard to find but worth it once you try it.

*Also make sure to have sugar cubes and milk on the table.  The English don't use cream in their tea but whole milk.

Third course: Petit Fours!  These are miniature tea cakes. DELICIOUS! 

There were 15 ladies total. Not everyone is pictured.

During the tea party we also played a few games....quizzes!  Everyone got into it and also learned a little about my aunt, tea and the year 1963.

PRESENTS!

Party Favors..... English Tea of course!

This tea party was so much fun and I think it's a great way to spend an afternoon with some fabulous woman.

Special thank you goes to my good friend, Dee Dee for supplying all the beautiful china, teapots and much much more.  Also, my friend Amy Savinon for custom designing all the decor as well.  You can find her work at, http://www.mypapertales.com/.  She's a fabulous designer!

CHEERIO!