Afternoon Tea calls for an attractive tablecloth for the tea table and cloth napkins. Lace tablecloths in white or cream add a traditional touch of elegance. If you have an old lace, damask or linen tablecloth, perhaps an heirloom, take it out of your closet and use it. Most old lace or damask tablecloths are damaged in some way, either by stains or tears. These slight imperfections only add to their historic charm, but it is still important to keep all of your linens clean, even if you may not succeed in removing all the stains.
Take good care of your old linens by soaking them overnight in Oxyclean, a chlorine free cleaning agent. The next day, gently rub the stains with a mixture of salt and lemon juice and wash the linens carefully in hot water and a mild soap such as Fels Naptha. Then rinse them thoroughly and allow them to dry on a clothesline in fresh air if possible. This process works well for small pieces such as napkins, placemats, table runners and doilies, which can be washed and rinsed by hand before ironing. A larger tablecloth will need to be laundered in the washing machine after the overnight soaking process and dried at very low heat in the dryer. Again, use a mild soap and no bleach. If you plan to use old linens for your Afternoon Tea party, complete the washing and ironing process at least a week in advance, as you will need to turn your attention to many other tasks such as grocery shopping, cooking and flower arranging in the days before the gathering.
Newer tablecloths and napkins are also appropriate for Afternoon Tea, and some of these are made of wrinkle-free fabrics. The secret to working with wrinkle-free fabrics is to use the permanent press cycle of the clothes dryer and pull each piece out individually before the dryer turns off, folding each item immediately before removing another one from the dryer. Newer tablecloths and napkins come in a variety of colors and seasonal patterns and can add to the mood and theme of the party. It’s always good to start with a basic white, cream or beige tablecloth and matching napkins, but you can add seasonal napkins and table runners to your collection. It would be nice to have a set of tasteful Christmas themed and Thanksgiving themed cloth napkins in your linen closet. Keep in mind that your tea table will not be as large as a dining table, so you might want to use a small oblong tablecloth intended for the dining table and fold it in two. Modern linens do not need to match, so you can combine colors and textures for a pleasing effect. For example, for a St. Patrick’s Day Irish Tea, you could use a contemporary green tablecloth, perhaps even a plaid one, combined with white lace-edged napkins either new or antique.
We beg you not to use paper or plastic napkins and tablecloths, as they detract from the authenticity of the occasion. Even for less formal events, such as the American Family Reunion Tea, which is served as a buffet, you can still use cloth napkins and a real tablecloth rather than a disposable paper or plastic cloth. Remember that you honor and respect your guests by offering them your very best.
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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
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 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
Sandwiches and Savories
Savory Spreads and Dips
Scones and Tea Breads
Afternoon Tea and the Four Seasons
A Spring Tea
An Outdoor Summer Tea
A Winter Afternoon Tea
An Autumn Afternoon Tea
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
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 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