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| by Matt Crick |
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A Perfect Bridal Shower, Baby Shower or Birthday Party When thinking about tea parties, do you think of British gentry, Victorian décor, and Alice in Wonderland? If so, you’re right and wrong. You’re right because as the tradition of afternoon tea has developed over hundreds of years, it has become an elegant affair. You’re also wrong because ‘High’ tea was often sipped by the British working class with their evening supper. A cup of tea is quintessentially engraved in Enslish society and now the English tea party is making a comeback.There is no accurate record of the first tea party in the UK, but is reputed that Anna Russell, the seventh duchess of Bedford, introduced ‘afternoon tea’ to the western world in the early 19th century. At the time, the English only ate two main meals a day – a hearty breakfast and an enormous dinner. The duchess was lost between meals and this void in her day inspired her to prepare small snacks in between these meals, accompanied with a cup of tea!
By the early 1900’s, the majority of prestigious hotels in England, particularly London, began to host tea parties and dances, as dancing in the UK was fast becoming the new fad. The marriage of tea and socialising was now a happy and successful one – if you enjoyed your tea, savouring it in front of yours peers and acquaintances was now a necessity. Fast forward a hundred years and the tradition and heritage of the tea party have been preserved. It could be for these very reasons then, why the tea party is a popular alternative when entertaining. A high-profile tea party was hosted by super model - super-party animal - Kate Moss to celebrate her 34th birthday. The 1920’s ladies’ tea party provided afternoon tea to her celebrity friends in the Dorchester Hotel. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes also held a conspicuous tea party for their daughter, Suri, inside the Carlyle Hotel in New York, early this year. The interior was decorated with artwork from the Madeline series of children’s books as guests danced, nibbled on cakes and drank tea. It isn’t just celebrities who are enjoying their tea. Even domestic animals are getting involved. In May this year, The Blue Cross launched the Great Britains’s biggest tea party for pets! The event was supported by actor Martin Freeman and was joined by an assortment of tea-loving canines and cats at the prestigious Claridge’s in London. Backed by the Tea Council, the fundraising event was the first of its kind to combine the country’s passion for tea, animal welfare and tea sets – providing a large range of classic and contemporary tea pots and china. With the revival of the tea party well under way and many clambering through their lofts and attics to discover the family’s treasured, but neglected tea set, there’s never a better time to put the kettle on.
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When thinking about tea parties, do you think of British gentry, Victorian décor, and Alice in Wonderland? If so, you’re right and wrong. You’re right because as the tradition of afternoon tea has developed over hundreds of years, it has become an elegant affair. You’re also wrong because ‘High’ tea was often sipped by the British working class with their evening supper. A cup of tea is quintessentially engraved in Enslish society and now the English tea party is making a comeback.
During the late 1800’s, the concept travelled to fine hotels; offering a tea service, or a tea party, in Tea Rooms and Tea Courts. Eminent Victorian ladies and their gentlemen would meet late afternoon for tea and socialising. Many of these gatherings became so reputable that certain members of the royal family and the famous would bless the parties with their presence in order to maintain social recognition.




















reese makes this comment
Tuesday, 25 August 2009