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A tea party? What a great idea!

If you've always enjoyed a bit of glamour or a fancy afternoon tea time, you'll be pleased to know that tea parties are coming back into style.

So put on your best flowery print dress, set an elegant table with silver and doilies, and enjoy a social afternoon with friends and family in a time-honored English tradition.

Interestingly, taking afternoon tea actually began with the French in the 17th century. The tradition was soon adopted by the British as their very own and by the 19th century Victorian era, the social tea wasa well-established custom fit for royalty.

Today, whether you're planning a casual luncheon, a garden party, a summer high tea in your backyard, a wedding shower tea or a more formal affair -- inviting everyone to tea continues to evoke an aura of gentility and sophistication.

Happily, planning a menu for a traditional tea is simplicity itself, calling only for a delicious combination of sweet 'n savory found in small tea sandwiches (with the crusts removed and cut into quarters), scones with jam and clotted cream and, of course, properly brewed tea!

Just up ahead, discover more about the tea party traditions and the secrets to brewing the perfect "cuppa" along with related resources on planning and hosting the perfect tea for any occasion for friends and family...

More about tea parties around the Web:

High Tea - Menu and Recipes - Make your own scones, lemon curd, Devonshire cream, cucumber sandwiches, plus additional pages of traditional tea sandwich recipes, and photos of a proper afternoon tea table setting.

Tea Party Ideas - A great place to start for both grown-up and children's tea party tips, recipes, an overview of high and low teas, napkin etiquette, bridal teas and recipes, and advice on how to start your own tea club.

Culinary Cafe - Tea Recipes - A complete tea party menu with recipes for party punch, traditional watercress, cucumber and egg salad sandwiches, spreads, scones, crumpets, shortbread, madeleines and more.

Teatime at the Cat-Tea Corner - A satisfying blend of recipes, discussion, feature articles, listings of tea rooms in the U.S. and Canada, clip art, related crafts, and e-cards for the avid tea party animal.

The Tea Home Page - Tea anyone? Get your fill at this UK Tea Council site with health facts, history, as well as planning, preparation and recipes for kids' tea parties.

also see related articles -> Growing Your Own Teas

High Tea Garden Party

Perfect High Tea in BC High Time for High Tea!