Bring a Gift if you Wish

Your host does not expect you to bring anything to the gathering. Nevertheless, some of the guests will bring small gifts for the host. Others will not. No judgments will be passed on guests who do not bring a gift for the host, but you have decided to bring something. Host gifts should harmonize with the season and should not be expensive or ostentatious. 

If you live in California and have a fig tree in your yard, it is likely to be bearing fruit in mid-October. On the day of the party, you might pick a few fresh figs—no more than twelve, wash them and place them in a small attractive basket or paper container. When you arrive at the party, give them to the host as soon as he opens the door. Since figs go well with Italian food, your host may choose to include them with the other items he is planning to serve. Do not urge him to do so. They are his figs now, and he will make his own decision whether to share them or enjoy them later.

A gift for the host at afternoon tea should not create additional work. Preparing the food for a tea party is labor-intensive and requires a lot of last minute attention to detail. Do not bring your host a bouquet of unarranged flowers that he will have to put in a vase. On the other hand, he would probably appreciate a small blooming plant, such as a chrysanthemum or an autumn azalea that could instantly enhance the setting. Other possible gifts that could fit the occasion might include a wedge of good imported Italian cheese, some chocolate covered almonds, some torrone or panforte from a good Italian deli, or even a CD of your host’s favorite operatic arias. Each of these little gifts is something that the host could include in the tea party or save for later.

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THE TEA BOOK
The Road Back to Civilization
A Brief History of Tea
  Philosophy of Tea
     Harmony
     Humility
     Respect
     Creativity

Guidelines for the Host/Hostess

  Gathering and Greeting
  Sharing Stories
  Sharing Food
  Sending the Guests Home

Guidelines for the Guest

  Respect your Hostess/Host
  Bring a Gift if You Wish
  Practice Humility
  Monitor Your Conversation
  Arrive With a Grateful Attitude
  Help if Help is Needed
  Do Not Criticize
  Leave Gracefully
  Send a Thank you Note

A Checklist for Planning a Tea Party
Teas of the World and How to Make Tea

  A Sampling of Teas
  Herbal Teas and Tisanes
  How to Make Tea
  Making Iced Tea
  Tea Concentrate
  Brewing Tea for a Crowd

Tea Utensils and Accessories

  Tea Kettle
  Tea Pot
  Tea Cozy
  Teacups
  Plates
  Silverware
  Teacart
  Tea Strainer
  Tea Infuser
  Three-Tiered Server
  Cream Pitcher and Sugar   Bowl
  Cake Pedestal
  Trifle Bowl
  Jam Pots
  Serving Dishes, Platters, and Trays
  Silver Tea Set or Silver Tray
  Linens
  Kitchen Equipment for Food Preparation

Tea Menu Basics

  Sandwiches and Savories
  Savory Spreads and Dips
  Scones and Tea Breads

About Lemons

  Afternoon Tea and the Four Seasons

     A Spring Tea
     An Outdoor Summer Tea
     A Winter Afternoon Tea
     An Autumn Afternoon Tea

A Calendar of Tea Parties

  January:A Japanese New Year’s Tea
  February:Valentine’s Day Tea
  March:A St. Patrick’s Day Irish Tea
  April:An Easter Tea
May:Mother’s day Tea
  June:A Wedding Reception Tea

Lemon Yogurt Wedding Cake

  July:A Picnic Tea
  AUGUST:A FAMILY REUNION TEA

A North American Family Reunion Tea
  An Eastern Mediterranean Family Reunion Tea
  A Kosher Family Reunion Tea
  A Scandinavian Family Reunion Tea

  September:An Ozark Farm Harvest Tea
  October:A Tea to Honor   Our Ancestors(Dia de los Muertos)
  November:A Post Thanksgiving Tea
  December: A Christmas Tea

  In Defense of Fruitcake:Fruitcakes and Candied Fruit

A World of Tea Parties

  A Chinese Dim Sum Tea
  A Portuguese Tea
  A Classic British Afternoon Tea
  An Indian Chai Party
  A California Tea
  A Hawaiian Tea
  An Italian Tea
  An American Southern Tea
  A Russian Tea
A French Afternoon Tea
  A Kosher Teawith  Traditional Jewish Foods

Afternoon Tea for Special Occasions

An Afternoon Tea for Children
  A Tea for Our Elders
  A Honey Bee Tea in the Garden
  An Urban Tea on the Go
  Tea for One
  Afternoon Tea For a Large Group
  A Vegan Tea
  A Rose Tea