Q&A for How to Have a Tea Party

Finger sandwiches and cookies are perfect.

Anywhere there's a nice ambiance is a good choice. Going to a park or another outdoor venue on a nice day is wonderful, but it's perfectly acceptable to have a tea party inside if you prefer.

For a relaxed, fun tea among friends, sure. For a more formal tea party, no.

No. They could be different, making it fun to see who gets which cup.

Teacups can be found at many places, such as kitchen ware stores, house-related stores, department stores, Etsy, online retailers or auction traders, thrift or charity stores and large furniture stores such as IKEA. You could also borrow them from a friend or family member but that has the added worry about not breaking any.

Unlike in the movies, you do not have to act like a princess or prince. Just act as you usually do. Any rule applicable for any public occasions applies with a tea party too: don't be rude, dress appropriately, etc. Ask the host if you need to bring anything so that you know ahead.

Try giving your party a theme, such as: Victorian, royalty, princess, or Alice in Wonderland. You can also look into how other cultures serve tea, and mimic their customs. For example, the Japanese and Turkish ways of serving tea are quite different from the British way of serving tea.

Hold it inside, either at home or at a suitable hotel that specializes in afternoon teas, such as The Ritz. Some department stores have afternoon tea events, such as Harrod's, so that is one other option for the colder months.

A table would be better; the guests can sit down and not worry about spilling their tea in their laps, but just chairs will work fine.

As many as you'd like! You can have a tea party for a group as small as three, or invite some friends for a 8 to 10 party.

A proper tea dress is more formal than the average dress, but is not a gown or night dress. A tea dress should be pretty, and fall about mid-calf.

Normally, a proper tea party would have cloth napkins, but for a normal get together with your friends, you can use whatever.

Have different types of tea bags available to your guests. Make sure you have black tea and green tea as options. My personal favorite is oolong tea.

You could do it in your yard or a local park.

Any month that it's warm enough to be outside is perfect. Just make sure it's not so warm that your guests would prefer to be inside that day.

Scones are generally finger food, but include pretty spreaders or butter knives for jam, butter and the like.

Yes, although crackers and fruit may taste odd together.

Typically you would serve from the right.

Yes, of course!

That should be fine! It's your tea party, feel free to serve whatever you like.

Any shape is fine, and any type of food, too, as long as it is light and not a big meal. Just have whatever you think you and your friends will like.

Of course. It is your tea party, and you can have it anywhere you want.

Yes, that's perfectly fine, and I'm sure you will look very elegant.

If the tea is not a hot tea, you could set the table with cups already filled with tea so you will not have to refill the pot until the guests drink their first cup of tea and the rest of the tea in the pot. Or, consider purchasing several other similar teapots that coordinate with your table setting and have several pots on the table. Another option is to purchase a larger teapot for future gatherings.

It would be for a party just with friends. You can wear 1 or 2 black accessories, but not for the full dress. Same thing for a more formal occasion, you might want to skip that black gown in your wardrobe.

You don't really need a tablecloth, but if you do really want one, then ask a neighbor or a friend if you can borrow one.

No because you need tea to have a tea party. Tea is literally in the name! If you are out of drinks, then go to the store. And if you don't have the cups, ask a friend if you can borrow some or buy some from the supermarket or a charity store.

That is so sweet! And, it is still a tea party. Cherish that time with your mother because, before you know it, it will be too late to be enjoying such a thing together as you'll be too busy.

Then push the party to a few weeks later. Or, if you are in high school or college, do the party on your spring break, summer break or on an anything break!