A Party in 40: Quick Ideas for the Spontaneous Hostess

The ornaments of your house will be the guests who frequent it.  ~Author Unknown

Welcome, Reader, to the Primer's first feature topic: A Party in 40: Quick Ideas for the Spontaneous Hostess. If you're a crazy tea party-planner like me, the odds are pretty good you may find yourself hastily throwing together a party in 40 minutes or less and in need of some quick ideas right now.  These posts are for you!

But they're also for the less-obsessed among us. A Party in 40 offers lots of suggestions for quick party themes; supplies to keep on hand; fast and easy recipe & menu ideas; as well as spot-cleaning tips for your home. A Party in 40 topics are also easy to find: just click on them under the More for the Modern Girl heading on the right hand-side of this blog.

Let's start first with getting a girl equipped! Below is a list of the basic supplies I use at every tea party.  Throwing in a caveat here: if you plan on hosting more than one tea party in your lifetime, I suggest purchasing, thrifting or borrowing these items to keep on hand.  And don't panic about the cost: many of them can be accumulated cheaply over time at flea markets, estate sales, antique malls and the clearance dept of your favorite housewares store. The convenience they provide will justify every penny you spend in just a few parties.

Items to Keep On-hand:

•   Solid-colored, washable tablecloths & napkins in white, black, light/forest green, light/royal blue, pink & red (these make great backdrops for almost any seasonal tablescape.)
• An assortment of washable, patterned tablecloths & napkins (buy these out of season on clearance and choose coordinating patterns with an emphasis on the time(s) of year you most often host parties.)
• Solid-colored white, black, silver or clear serving bowls & platters (Well-designed items with great lines mean you can mix china & silver with stoneware, glass and plastic.  Dishwasher-safe items will make cleanup a dream.)
• Cake Stands (Glass, China, metal, solid-colored, patterned, any size--these add height & drama to your tablescape.  Stack coordinating cake stands and fill with savory or sweet treats, or use them to elevate a centerpiece or floral arrangement on a buffet table. Few things say Tea Party better than a well-placed cake stand full of goodies.)
• The Tea Set (Silver, china, glass, clay--whichever you prefer. This is the Tea Party piece de resistance. Serve your pot(s) of choice with coordinating creamer & sugar bowl on a tray spread with a gorgeous cloth napkin.
• Tea Cups (see this post for some basic guidelines for purchasing tea cups.)
• Small Salad/Dessert Plates or Snack Sets in bright colors & patterns (I love to serve delectable goodies to my guests on fun, mix-n-match plates!  This is a great way to change up your table settings without buying/storing multiple sets of china. Snack sets are either sturdy vintage glass or elongated cup-n-saucer sets designed to sit in your lap while holding your food & drink at picnics & outdoor parties. They include a plate large enough for several hors d'oeuvres and usually a separate spot for your tea cup or punch cup. I see these everywhere now at Goodwill, Salvation Army & the local fleamarket. Often split and sold separately, snack set pieces can usually be purchased for a $1 or less at the places I mentioned.)
• Silver or Flatware (real silver can be accumulated inexpensively in mixed patterns at most flea markets or check the clearance section of your favorite housewares store for a dishwasher-safe alternative. Note: some silver can be washed in the dishwasher as long as it never comes in contact with stainless steel items.)
• Tea Accoutrements: tiny tea spoons; a bowl for lemon slices; little bowls & pitchers for sweetener alternatives (like honey, stevia or agave nectar); tea bag caddys and a tea cozy or two.
• Coordinating Trivets (great for serving bite-size morsels as well as holding a hot dish.) 
• Serving Spoons & Tongs (several sizes.)
• Glass or Metal Flower Vases (assorted sizes.)

Additional Items to Consider: (these are fun to have on hand if you throw a lot of tea parties or would like to!)

• Tea Cart (an elegant novelty that creates extra counter space for serving, if needed, and can be rolled out to where your guests are seated to allow you a chance to sit & visit while your guests help themselves to a refill or a delectable dessert! These don't have to cost hundreds of dollars--I got mine on after-summer clearance at Pier 1 for $55. Don't worry if the color isn't right--just paint it. When you're not entertaining, it can be used to hold plants or store your tea party supplies.)
• Cloche (pair one of these with your favorite cake stand for a dramatic, re-usable way to display hors d'oeuvres  or a fancy dessert. Also great for keeping bugs away from sweets outdoors.)
• Assorted Table-top Stands (hide these under tablecloths or napkins to add height to elements of your tablescape.)
• Silk Floral Arrangements (it's always a good idea to have some multipurpose swags, floral garland & picks available to finish your tablescape, dining room light fixture and buffet tables.)
• Decorative Glass or Plastic Cold Drink Dispenser (for iced tea during summer months.)
• Candleholders or Candelabras (for evening or more formal teas.)  

Once fully-equipped, you will be ready to host a tea party at any time, in any season, at the drop of a hat or wearing one!  Your guests will be delighted and a good time will be had by all (including you). 

Next time on A Party in 40, we'll discuss pantry items & cooking utensils to keep on hand. Magnifique!  

I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.  ~Nancie J. Carmody

Quotes 1 & 2 courtesy of the Quote Garden.