Whether you’re hosting a bridal shower or baby shower, or simply entertaining a small group of friends, tea parties are a special way to honor the people you care about. If you’ve ever helped plan a shower or a tea party, you know there’s a lot that goes into it. Even the choice of tea can be difficult.
Ice Breakers and Games
Keep the mood light as your guests arrive. If they don’t already know each other, go around and give introductions. Sharing a little information about each guest, or letting them share a little about themselves, will provide your guests with a platform for conversation. You could even set the tone for the event with a fun little game similar to charades. Put each person’s name on a slip of paper for another guest to act out after drawing it from a teacup. The results can be quite amusing!
Conversation Starters
It’s easy to keep the conversation flowing at bridal showers and baby showers. The bride-to-be typically loves to share, again and again, the story of how she first met her fiancé, how they were engaged, and what they’ve planned for the wedding. Moms-to-be love to share the details of her pregnancy, name choices, etc. With a gathering of friends, whether they know each other well or are mere acquaintances, there may be need for a little more direction. Though you don’t have to feel responsible or in control about all of the conversation, it’s good to provide a little direction for your guests. Then let the conversation flow.
You could plan your tea party around a craft like scrapbooking, or around making a special dessert together. You could gather friends who share similar interests, or provide questions that each guest can answer. For an even more focused event, schedule your tea party after one of your friends has returned from a short trip or had a positive life change.
The Tea
We’ve got this! Choosing a variety of quality teas can be a conversation starter in itself. We recommend choosing a green or white tea, a black tea, and something caffeine free to cover all of your guests’ tastes. You might want to choose a seasonal blend, too. If you know that your guests already love tea, brew up an oolong or a darjeeling ”guaranteed to be points of conversation. Some of your guests are sure to want to try them all!
