Gracious Hospital-i-tea Blog-a-thon question of the week: Share a creative afternoon tea table setting. Linens, serving pieces, teapots and teacup, tea accoutrement's and accessories, centerpieces, tea trays or three-tiers, and more. Show one way you enjoy creating a memorable tea experience. This is your opportunity to show the world the fun you have when you create your own special tea experience. Then. . .invite over a friend or neighbor and share some tea together. That way all your work is not for ought.
I like to make a menu of the tea and I print it in Jane Austen font, of course! I always have it displayed on the first tea table. I usually serve tea and scones while we watch the selected Jane Austen movie of the month. After the movie, we move into the dining room for a high tea. Since I like to have a lot of friends over (about 8-9) I usually have to set up 2 tables. Each table has a 2 tiered server, fresh flower arrangement, and a pot of tea.
I also like to give my friends a little party favor. For the Pride & Prejudice movie, I gave them a paperback copy of P&P. I wrapped it in brown paper and tied it with vintage seam binding and added a sprig of pine. I didn't use any tape. (I wanted it to be somewhat authentic).
For the Bridget Jones's Diary movie, I gave them a Mr. Darcy (with Colin Firth ) keyring and for Sense & Sensibility, I gave them individual tea packets with Jane Austen tea inside. I packaged it in small cellophane bag and then cut scrapbook paper to fit the bag. I printed "Have a "cuppa" on me" and then I sewed it shut on the sewing machine.
Since I have been hosting Jane Austen tea parties the last six months, I always want to make each one unique but I still manage to follow a formula that really works.
I like to make a menu of the tea and I print it in Jane Austen font, of course! I always have it displayed on the first tea table. I usually serve tea and scones while we watch the selected Jane Austen movie of the month. After the movie, we move into the dining room for a high tea. Since I like to have a lot of friends over (about 8-9) I usually have to set up 2 tables. Each table has a 2 tiered server, fresh flower arrangement, and a pot of tea. I also like to give my friends a little party favor. For the Pride & Prejudice movie, I gave them a paperback copy of P&P. I wrapped it in brown paper and tied it with vintage seam binding and added a sprig of pine. I didn't use any tape. (I wanted it to be somewhat authentic). For the Bridget Jones's Diary movie, I gave them a Mr. Darcy (with Colin Firth ) keyring and for Sense & Sensibility, I gave them individual tea packets with Jane Austen tea inside. I packaged it in small cellophane bag and then cut scrapbook paper to fit the bag. I printed "Have a "cuppa" on me" and then I sewed it shut on the sewing machine. For the "Lucky Tea" when we played P&P game, right before St. Patrick's Day, I gifted my friends a ceramic tea bag holder with shamrocks on it.
Being a party planner, I'm all about the favors!
Check out other fabulous tea table ideas at http://gracioushospitality.blogspot.com/
What a beautiful tea setting. And I love the Jane Austen Tea theme. That would be so much fun! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love Old Counrty Roses It's such a beautiful pattern. Jane Austen parties sound like a lot of fun...can I come? :)
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I enjoyed all the photos on your blog - it looks like you are having a great time, both planning and executing your special events. How creative you are!
ReplyDeleteNancy
I love favors too. It's always nice for someone to have something to take home. Your tea table is very lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tea table! I feel right at home looking at it, as I also have Old Country Roses as my favorite china. Your tea favors --- plain paper tied with vintage binding --- are beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing your pretty idea --- and for all the great ideas on other posts you share.
ReplyDeleteLaTeaDah
Lovely! Lovely! Lovely! I want to be your friend! :) I can't seem to find anyone around here who actually likes Austen. How is the P&P game? I've seen it advertised, but haven't heard what others think of it. BTW- I've not seen Bridget Jones. How does it relate to Jane?
ReplyDeleteSome of my friends had never heard of Jane Austen before! I had to "educate" them. Now they are big fans. My friends and I really enjoyed the game and we are ready for a re-match!
ReplyDeleteBridget Jones's Diary is a modern take on P&P scaled down. Bridget has no sisters but a questionable mother and father. I like the first one more than BJD 2. "Clueless" with Alicia Silverstone is a modern take on "Emma". Very cute!
ReplyDeleteOOOOOhh, I want to come to one of your teas. It sounds so wonderful and I love favors too!
ReplyDeleteOh what fun your teas must be. I love the Jane Austen theme and the gifts you came up with are very thoughtful. Enjoy...
ReplyDeleteYour table is lovely! The centerpiece is perfect with the Old Country Roses china.
ReplyDeleteOh, how delightful! Your tea setting is so beautifully detailed and the pictures capture a wonderful tea time! I like the idea of your party favors with the Jane Austen tea sewn in a cellophane bag, etc. Do you have picture that you could share? I would love to see it!
ReplyDeletehave a wonderful week!
A Jane Austen Party is a brilliant idea!
ReplyDeleteblessings,
marye
kettleandcup.com
What a beautiful blending of Jane Austen and tea time! You sound like the perfect hostess!
ReplyDeletelove your dishes (they match mine perfectly) Very pretty setting
ReplyDeleteI love this theme! And gorgeous Old Country Roses china. I have a few of those pieces, and they are among my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI would just love to sit at your table and pretend to be Caroline Bingley and say one of my favorite movie lines, "Her hair, Louisa!"
ReplyDeleteI'm so fascinated by your Jane Austen teas and your elegant creativity. I didn't know that people like you actually existed, but I'm so glad you do and I'm so glad you choose to share what you do on your blog so others can partake of it too- even if just from a distance.