Tea Party Shower

A tea party can make a very fitting theme for a bridal or baby shower, or even for a birthday party. They also can be relatively easy to throw, as the focus is on finger foods. If you want it to be a more genuine tea party, probably one of the most difficult parts is in finding enough tea cups for each guest (and I don't mean mugs, I mean tea cups). Luckily when I threw one for my friend a few years ago her and her mother had a large collection that we could use.




Don't worry about all the tea cups matching, in fact that's part of the fun. That is how it is traditionally done in English style tea houses anyway.

So, to begin with invitations, there are lots of choices out there now for tea themed invites. Just do a Google search and you will find plenty. Dori Ann's offers a large variety in particular.

If you want to opt for something more personal; however, it is pretty easy to make your own. I simply cut out a tea bag shape and printed on it "You are invited to a bridal shower", and attached it complete with a string and tag (even with a staple in it to make it more genuine). This is a good option if you are particular about the colors.




It is important to set the mood for the tea party by playing a little soft background music. Of course if you are opting for an English style tea party, go with classical. If it is more Asian, find some traditional Asian music.

As mentioned before, tea parties are an easy way to get away with just serving finger foods such as small tea sandwiches and scones. Don't forget that if you are hosting this party over a meal time, have PLENTY of finger foods. Enough that guests could eat at least a light meal's worth.




As for serving the actual tea, you can simply set a tea pot on each table either with tea already in it brewing, or opt to give guests more options, and set a tea pot of hot water on each table and walk around with a tray of individually wrapped tea bags in a variety of styles (make sure to offer a decaffeinated option).

It is also a good idea to offer a couple other types of beverage, because frankly, not everyone loves tea. Punch is a good traditional English party drink.



Dessert could be as simple as small tea cookies, or a little more elaborate like petit fours, chocolate dipped strawberries, or a more standard cake topped with a cute little tea cup.



Decorating can be simple, too. A small pot of tea roses for centerpieces would do just fine. If you opt for something more elaborate, topiaries are very English. I found wire "tea pots" at plumparty.com and made my own with that as the base. I recommend Plum Party for a tea party because they have some interesting supplies. Check under "themes" and then under "bridesmaid, brunch, tea".



There are lots of ideas for tea themed party favors, too. You can find some at the rosemarycompany.com, beau-coup.com, or theknot.com in their wedding shop section.

As always, refer to the "General Party Planning Tips" post for some basic guidelines. Enjoy, and happy planning!

Sex and the City Bachelorette Party

I threw a "Sex and the City" themed bachelorette party for one of my closest friends, because frankly, she is a Sex and the City fanatic. Luckily she had gotten me hooked also, so I had seen the series and had plenty of ideas to draw from. Below are a few you can use for inspiration:

Decorate with a New York state of mind. Party supply stores now have these relatively inexpensive wall murals in themes to convert the walls of any room into the feel you are looking to create. I used the one that actual is made for Spider Man (luckily that took place in New York, too) because it's basically just a city skyline. You can just tape or tack this to you walls.



Throw some pictures of the Show up on the walls (I found some online and printed them off), and don't forget the Absolute Hunk. That's just too appropriate to pass up.




Need an idea for a centerpiece? Head up to your local craft store and get one of those giant martini glasses, and fill it with either plastic diamonds, or water with floating candles (add a few drops of food coloring to make it look like a pinkish-red cosmo).




For a cheaper centerpiece just grab a vase and take a cue from the Ron Livingston episode (Berger) and fill it with pink carnations, then attach a note that says "I can't do this. I'm sorry, don't hate me".




Or if you have martini glasses at home, fill one with sand 3/4 full and put a tea light in it. Voila. Sexy centerpiece.





We started with a Scavenger Hunt (see "Ideas for Bachelorette Parties (beyond the strip club)" post for more info). All the clues were related to the show, and she collected her goodies in a "Manolo" bag (I simply bought a silver gift bag and attached sticker letters to it).





After going out to dinner, we came back to my place for a lingerie shower, and as a thank you to the guests, I made party favors that went with the theme for pretty cheap. Just get some disposable plastic martini glasses, fill them with M&M's in your choice of color, wrap some tulle around the top and secure with ribbon. (Note: a helpful hint on disposable martini glasses, or any kind that you have to attach the bottom to the glass stem; krazy glue is a good idea, because those bottoms never seem to want to stay on. You don't want your favors, or drinks to be loosing their bottoms, it just looks cheap).
A New York skyline cake also adds to the fun. Just get chocolate bars, break them in the sizes you want, and dab white or yellow frosting to create the "windows".




Also consider a drink menu that fits the party theme. I created this one on the computer (I also made up the drink recipes partly), printed it off, folded it and attached it to thicker colored cardstock.





A few other ideas for a Sex and the City party:

* For invitations, print up a flyer in Sex and the City Column format, complete with "if so-and-so was about to be married, I couldn't help but wonder... how fabulous her bachelorette party was going to be".

* Have guests dress as a character, or just dress in Sex and the City Style.

* Hire a cab to take you to the club (a New York City style yellow checked one if you can).

* Watch the bride's favorite episode.

* Serve all drinks in martini glasses, even if it's just water.

* Play background music that gives a New York lounge kind of feel, and don't forget to get the show's theme song on the playlist, too (available on itunes).