Darlings,
Pondering upon the power of television has led me to pour some tea as well as some thought into today’s topic. Are we easily influenced by what we see in the media or is the world yearning for some long-forgotten manners? And what exactly has tea got to do with it?
Tea is the quintessence of life if you ask me or any other of the two billion people on this planet that enjoy a cup or two a day.
What chicken soup is for the cold, tea is for the soul. While it does not cure heartaches or headaches, it is a reliable remedy when you are caught up in a crisis, as nothing will soothe you quite as well as a cup of freshly brewed tea, but once it was so much more. It was a ritual, an event and an opportunity to showcase oneself.
Once exclusively enjoyed by the upper class, tea almost became an excuse for coquetting and gossiping and certainly a testament to one’s manners as teatime came with its own set of rules. Teatime etiquette had to be followed to ensure your status in society and being invited for tea could be one’s opportunity to display elegance and sophistication. Everything was up for scrutiny, from the way you held the teacup, to the way you stir the sugar.
By the Victorian era, the tradition of having tea spread rapidly. Tea was no longer exclusively enjoyed by the upper class and became a household ritual that still today gives us a well-deserved break from our daily duties. Slowly, however, the cup and saucer were replaced with a mug and the Darjeeling tea leaves with PG Tips. Oh my. But there is hope on the horizon.
With the ever so popular tv series, Bridgerton, tea rituals and tea parties have seen a renaissance, and by tea, I am talking tea parties à la Austen. Have we grown a new sense of respect for all the Violet’s of the world, hosting and throwing the most spectacular tea parties? It certainly seems so, and it is a welcome trend to a world too consumed with a takeaway matcha.
Bring back a bit of tradition I say! The internet seems to agree with me, as of recently, social media has been inundated with pretty teacups, Regency aesthetics has become a hashtag, and contemporary songs have been remixed with tunes straight out of the string orchestra. The Regency tea parties are making a comeback, and today everyone is invited.
Throwing a modern-day tea party requires one main ingredient besides tea: creativity. To create a tea party for a queen bee or a social butterfly you need to set the scene. We are thinking elegance here, an equal amount of sophistication, a bit of glamour, and a sprinkle of romance. A vintage vibe is never wrong, and we start by creating the canvas and we do so by rummaging through grandma’s attic space for some good old lace. The lace will serve as a tablecloth and once we have agreed on a colour scheme, let’s face it, it was never going to be anything other than pink or pastel, then it is time to add the accessories.
For a romantic, picnic variant held in the gardens, I would opt for flowers. Rose petals, peonies or wisteria will not only add a touch of softness but bring in the scent as well. For a springtime tea party, decorate with lemons and the lightest of apple green. For a glamorous tea party, pearls and crystals will always be right, and adding a touch of Tiffany blue in the mix will ensure that your guests feel as stylish and iconic as Audrey.
I have seen more mad hatter type of tea parties in my life than I can remember, but there are so much more you could do to create a whimsical tea experience without pulling the rabbits out of the hat. Serviettes and serviette holders, candles and cake tiers, tea strainers and tea sets, these could be mixed and matched as a whimsical party theme is where you could go overboard with stronger colours and patterns. This is a wonderful opportunity to use the odd teacups that you would have collected over the years.
Select music that enhances the experience. While it may not be possible to hire a pianist to play your favourite classical pieces, turn on your speakers and create a playlist with selected songs for the right ambience.
In the Victorian era, afternoon tea was introduced as a way to reduce hunger before dinner was served and it was common to offer cucumber sandwiches, scones, or other sweets. Throwing a tea party today does not have to be any different, the jam and scones will do fine, and pastel colour macaroons, strawberries with cream and finger sandwiches will all sit proudly on the cake tier, and for a festive feel, add the bubbles.
There are plenty of options for those not wishing to entertain at home. How does hiring a spot in the garden of an old manor house sound? Many wedding venues organise high tea, tea rooms can be found in most larger cities, country cottages will offer true Devonshire tea, and I have seen an increasing number of hotels arranging high tea for small or large groups.
In a fast-paced world, it feels good to take a moment to savour sweetness, to pause and immerse oneself in storytelling, and to find joy in unwinding while stepping back into a bygone era. A tea party can do just that.
While tea parties may not be back with a bang, as they shouldn’t as no one wants to choke on a scone out of fright, they a certainly on a climb and increasing in popularity, and yes, I do believe, at least to some degree that we have the Bridgerton’s to thank for this.
For more advice on etiquette, manners, interior design and how to live your life with grace, elegance and poise, read the book “Tea with the Dutchess: How to do anything with style” by Kate Gawi.
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