Planning an English Tea Party in the Garden

Tea parties evoke sunny, glowing images of roses in full bloom, dainty sandwiches, delicate floral prints, gauzy dresses, and, of course, a good pot of tea. English-style tea parties are an elegant option for bridal showers, baby showers, birthday celebrations or just time to catch up with friends and family. While all you really need is the tea, other elements such as food, comfortable seating, and beautiful traditional picnic baskets are what really set the mood. Hosting a tea party is simple and rewarding, especially with these tips and our hand-picked selection of beautiful picnic and outdoor living items.

The Setting - Naturally, a garden is the ideal spot for an English tea party. You can have it in your own yard, a park, or even the lawn of a nearby historical home (call and ask; many of them allow this!). Spring is the perfect time of year for a tea party; there are so many flowers in bloom to lend their color and scent as natural decorations. Tea parties held in gardens don't require much in the way of centerpieces and adornments - they're best held on picnic blankets in a grassy area or, if you will have older guests in need of chairs, at a picnic table or bistro table. A light cotton or linen tablecloth will dress the table up nicely.

The Food - When one thinks of tea parties, light and delicate food items typically come to mind. Tea sandwiches, scones, muffins, cookies, fruit salad and pasta salad are great choices. Bite-size appetizers are a delicious alternative that allow you to really get creative with what you serve - just make sure it will transport well if you're holding your tea party in a location other than a home with a kitchen readily available. For some tea party food ideas, see About.com's Recipes for Tea Sandwiches and Goodies, or Recipezaar.com's collection of recipes for appetizers and finger foods.

The Tableware - Now comes the best part: choosing an elegant tea party set to serve your guests. If you're having more than four people and having the tea party outside the home (such as the park or a public garden), paper and plastic will likely be your best bet. Target now has a collection of elegant designer paper and plastic tableware, recently featured in InStyle Magazine, that's perfect for tea parties and other occasions where disposable tableware is preferred, but you don't want to lose out on style.

If you're planning an intimate tea party for four or less people, nothing gives it a more traditional and sophisticated feel than a real picnic basket filled with tea essentials. These beautiful, high quality baskets were hand-picked for their appropriateness for the occasion.

The Bloomsbury Vintage Picnic Basket for 4 is the quintessential English tea set with a modern twist. The round shape and lovely designer print on the cloth napkins and tablecloth give it a unique personality; a large hand-painted enamel flask will hold plenty of tea for four. You'll also find a cruet set, a wine corkscrew, and four each of plates, mugs, knives, forks, spoons, and tumblers.

The Blossom Tea Lovers Basket has a more traditional look, with a stunning floral motif by designer Cath Kidston. It comes in two sizes - small for two people, and medium for four. Inside this elegant basket is full tea service for either two or four people: a stainless steel flask, beautifully patterned china mugs and plates, cloth napkins, glass tumblers, salt and pepper shakers, a wine corkscrew, a food cooler and stainless steel cutlery.

If you'd prefer something with a cute retro look, the Blyton Vintage Picnic Basket for 2 is for you. A sharp-looking red tin holds a removable willow tray packed with picnic goodies including an enamel printed flask, mugs, cutlery, a cruet set, plates with their own storage bag, cutlery, mugs, and embroidered cloth napkins.

For more picnic baskets, blankets, and other accessories, check out PicnicFun.com.