Ideas for a Ladies Church High Tea
by Lillian
(Georgia)
Question:
I would like some ideas for hosting a ladies church high tea. I would like to make this an annual event with themes, etc.
Can you give me ideas, and ideas on finger foods?
Answer:
Hello Lillian,
I would like to thank you for your question about hosting a ladies high tea. You did not mention if this is a fundraiser, so I will assume that it is more like a church social and you are not charging an admission fee.
Ideas for themes could include:
~Mother/Daughter Tea
~Multi-generational including grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters...
~Seasonal: Spring, Christmas, Harvest...
It is not uncommon for a group to hostess several teas per year. One in the Spring for Mother's day or just a Spring themed tea party, one in the winter for Christmas or New Years, and another in the Fall for a harvest tea. This of course is optional, but if you are doing this for a fundraiser, this is a relatively easy, good money maker.
Just so you know, a high tea is considered a more substantial meal, but has become interchangeable over recent years to mean a fancier afternoon tea party. A real high tea would include dinner type dishes like roast or chicken, soup, vegetables... and definitely served at a dining table. Low tea or a cream tea can be served at a table, but isn't necessary as long as you have seating arranged for cozy conversations.
For a fundraiser or a church social type of event, this extent is not necessary, even a simple cream tea which is just scones, clotted cream, jam and tea, is acceptable and enjoyed just as much by the guests.
For a full afternoon tea, there are usually three main items offered which are:
Savories: Tea sandwiches, seasoned scones, and any other appetizers.
Scones: Plain scones, sweet scones, other tea breads.
Sweets/Pastries: Tea cakes, cookies/biscuits, confections.
Foods can include but are not limited to the following suggestions. Needless to say all of these are not necessary either. A cream tea or low tea have very simple foods.
If you want to have a special dessert served at the end, (which isn't required, but if it is a fancy affair, you might consider providing one) a cheesecake, a luscious cake or a sorbet/ice cream are always good choices.
Hope this helps with some ideas for you.
Sheila,
Your Tea Party Guide
