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A tea party has become one of the most frequently used types of entertaining today. Tea parties are used for bridal showers, baby showers, open house, welcome parties, going away trips, or for any occasion to honor a person.

While drinking tea always pick up the saucer and cup together. Never pick up the cup by itself. Cups are placed in saucers, they are never stacked.

Informal Tea: The hostess will pour the tea for all of her guest. Many times, a tea tray is used with everything that is needed on the tray. The tray, filled with steaming tea, sugar, cream, lemons, silverware, cup and saucers and small plates for the food, is placed on the cart. The cups should not be stacked. The food for the tea is laid out on a table covered with a beautiful table cloth.

Formal Tea: When hosting a formal tea, there are many guests invited and the tea is very formal. It takes place in a formal dining room. The hostess should use her most beautiful table linens. Fresh flowers and other decorations can be used to further enhance the table. The food is placed on the table. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate or punch is served. All items needed for the tea are placed on the cart, including the filled tea pot, sugar, lemon, cream and tongs. Coffee and items needed for the coffee service are placed on a separate table. Plates of tea sandwiches are placed on both sides of the table. Three tier trays are also used for serving.

The order of placing the food on the three tier tray is as follows: scones are placed on the top tier and cookies and small cakes are placed on the second tier. Sandwiches are placed on the bottom tier. There should be two tier trays on the table. The scones should be served hot with jams and jelly. Candy and nuts are also placed on the table.

High Tea: A high tea is served from 4-6 PM. The same food is served at a formal tea. High tea can also take the place of dinner. Again, the tea tray is used with all the items for the tea and it is placed on the tea cart. Gloves and hats are usually worn by the guest for a high tea.