Afternoon Tea American Style

Afternoon tea American style has its roots in the past and is growing more popular in many places throughout the United States. New tea rooms are opening and offering afternoon tea and tea parties to customers every day. Tea parties are becoming popular for special occasions like bridal showers, birthday parties and baby showers. Along with tea rooms the planning of tea parties has become a cottage industry in itself.

Planning a tea party can be quite elaborate for formal occasions or more casual for everyday meetings and gatherings. For the more formal occasions you may hire a party planner to take care of all the tea party ideas. Or, you could order and send the invitations yourself and hold the tea party at a tea house or hire a caterer to take care of the decorations, table settings and refreshments.

For casual afternoon teas or tea parties like a weekly gathering of friends or a business meeting, the invitations may be sent by email or by calling everyone and letting them know when and where it will be held. Decorations may be as simple as a small candle or vase of flowers on the table. As far as what to serve at a tea party, you might consider homemade or store bought sandwiches, cookies or cakes.

There are many teas to choose from as well when planning an afternoon tea or tea party. Some of the more popular types of teas in the United States include green, black, white, earl grey, chamomile, oolong, mandarin orange, mint, mixed berry and other herbal teas. It's a good idea to have a variety of teas for your guests to select from.

Don't forget to use tea sets at your event! These should include tea cups and saucers, sugar bowls, cream pitchers, dessert plates and of course a great teapot or two. These pieces can be matching or you can use mismatched pieces to create an eclectic setting.

Afternoon tea in the America is a growing industry that has expanded the number of tea houses in the United States as well as created cottage industries like specialty party planners to organize the afternoon teas and tea parties. For your next gathering you might consider having a tea party or afternoon tea to make it a special event your guests will remember.

My Small Collection of Teapots

Here it is, a slide show of my small collection of tea pots to share with teapot lovers everywhere!

Slide Show coming Soon!

I'm trying to add a slide show to this blog to keep the pictures of my teapots at the top. Stay tuned.

Warm Fuzzies and Teapots!

Teapots, what makes people get that warm, fuzzy, comfort feeling when we look at them? You may be different but for me they represent being loved and being cared for by Mom. Do you remember when you were young and home sick from school with a tummy ache or sore throat? What a nice feeling of being cared for when Mom would bring hot tea and dry toast or chicken soup to help us feel better. Even though a teapot was not part of my memory anything related to tea brings back that warm, fuzzy feeling of being loved by my Mom. There were other times too that I recall having tea and being comforted. When I was 18 I had a job about 15 – 20 miles from home and was "chased" most of the way home by what I now believe to be an unmarked police car but at the time, it was just some guy driving crazy (or crazier than me) and I couldn't get away from him. Needless to say when I finally got away and made my way home, I was shaking all over and was totally freaked out. My mom offered me a hug and a cup of tea in her good china. I remember, at the time, thinking I could use something a lot stronger than tea but being under the drinking age, I accepted the tea. I was amazed at how much calmer I felt sitting there sipping tea. Once again, the warm fuzzies come to mind.

Sharing My Teapot Collection with Teapot Lovers

Pewter Teapot......................................Wedgewood


McCoy...................................................... Dressden


Brought from China............................ Huesnbrews


Bavaria ........................................................Sadler


Masons.....................................Old Chinese Willow


Michael Sparks

Hello fellow Teapot Lovers,

At long last here are photos of my teapot collection for your perusal. Enjoy and feel free to post pictures of your own collection.

Most of my teapots I collected from auctions and estate sales when we lived in Virginia. My most recent addition is the miniature one made in China. I received it from my sister, Karen, who recently moved to China. The two newer ones, Michael Sparks and HuesnBrews were given to me as Christmas gifts from my sister, Debbie and my niece, Kristi.

There you have my humble teapot collection. I hope you enjoyed looking at them.