Tea at the Unicorn Wine Guild

OK.  The easiest way is to make reservations and come to Unicorn Wine Guild for tea.  The next easiest is to do it yourself.

Make a list of 4 to 6 close friends.  You might also want to include a couple of newbies in the group, but be sure that they are included in the conversation and don’t feel left out.  It is a great way to introduce the new neighbor, club member, etc.

Make, buy or e-vite the group.  Be sure to include a respond by date.  You can even ask them to each bring a plate of their favorite dessert.  In this case indicate the size of the group.  It’s OK to ask.

Send out these invitations at least two weeks in advance.  In this modern age, the longer the notice, the better.  Saturday or Sunday afternoons are often the best time.

For your tea you will want to have 2 or 3 varieties of tea.  Make sure that one is caffeine free such as a fruit or Rooibos. 

A couple of days before the party gather your supplies – tablecloth, napkins, plates, cups and saucers, tea pot, silverware.  Be whimsical or formal.  Paper or china.  The choice is yours.  This will give you time to shop to complete your needed items. To ease the cost of entertaining, many recommend that if using china to collect plain white china or clear glass.  This way the china lasts year round and you can accessorize with patterned linens (or paper).  A centerpiece adds sparkle to the table.  Choose flowers or a whimsical arrangement.  It is nice to give a small gift to each participant.  These can even be arranged as the centerpiece.

A few hours before the guests arrive, prepare two types of tea sandwiches, cut into triangles and cover in the fridge until serving time.  You might also want to prepare something like a simple fruit dish.  Don’t forget the milk, lemon and sugar cubes.

Arrange the food as a buffet.  Serve iced tea in pitchers and hot tea in teapots.  Let the guests serve themselves.  (While one lump or two is wonderful for hot tea, it doesn’t do so well for iced.  Having a small pitcher of simple syrup is a great benefit to the guests.  It’s easy.  Just stir equal amounts of sugar and hot water until they form a solution.)

Above all, have a good time with your friends.  Don’t worry that it’s not perfect.  The point of the whole thing is to share in friendship.