The Tea Reception, can be at home or in a public venue, but this is when tea is taken to the next level.
“With this more pretentious affair, the refreshments are served in the dining-room instead of in the drawing-room or outdoors as is sometimes done at simpler teas. The hissing urn always holds the place of honor (except on very warm days when iced tea or iced coffee may be served). Trays of thinly sliced bread are on the table, and dainty sandwiches in large variety. Fruit salads are never amiss, and strawberries with cream are particularly delightful when in season. Then, of course, there are cakes and bonbons and ices, although the latter are usually confined to warm days.”
Book of Etiquette Volume II, Lilian Eichler (1922)
“The really formal “Tea” is hardly a “Tea” at all, though the cards of invitation to the prospective guests that the “beverage that cheers” will be dispensed upon the date and at the hours mentioned. A hostess may elect to give two or more of these elaborate “Teas” during the social season. Where her circle of friends and acquaintances is very large, she may invite part of them for one date and others for another. In this way a number or social obligations may be “paid off” with comparative ease and economy. The “Tea” of this sort, however, is in reality an afternoon reception. The hostess invites one or more of her women friends, usually those of the younger set, to assist her.”
Modern Domestic Science, Book 1, The Modern Hostess (1909)
At a tea reception, pouring is done by one or two chosen, trusted guests. Usually friends were chosen for this as you had to trust their manners and knowledge of tea and coffee etiquette. They were, after all, representing the hostess or organization. Often at a tea reception given by an organization, four friends would be chosen and swapped out after an hour, so that everyone was able to mingle.
“For afternoon teas, the hour is usually from 3 to 6, or 4 to 7. At these entertainments the guests enter unannounced and meet the hostess, who moves from her position at the door and chats with her guests, keeping a watchful eye to greet promptly each one as she enters the room… At receptions of this nature, it is not necessary to serve anything more elaborate than two kinds of sandwiches, tea, chocolate, or coffee, with bon-bon, and perhaps and ice. At evening receptions, a salad is required, and a frozen sweet, besides frappe or punch in the hall. “
“Dame Curtsey’s” Book of Etiquette by Ellie Howell Glover, (1910)
The guest approached the tea service and asked, “May I have a cup of tea?”. The Pourer would then ask, “Strong or Weak?” Strong tea is served from the pot, weak tea has boiling water added to it. Some events have the pourer adding milk or lemon and sugar depending on how the guest likes it. But often, these were self serve.
In America, it was common at a tea reception to have tea at one end of the table and coffee at the other. In Britain, tea was usually the only drink on offer. Very large gatherings sometimes featured coffee and hot chocolate at one end and tea at the other. As noted above, punch was usually offered near the door, this offered a cold drink for those who might have wanted it.
Guest may say a few pleasant words to the person pouring if there is no line of guest waiting.
Tea receptions continued as a common form of entertaining until the 1990’s, though they were mostly for showers, political events or given by social clubs. Tea receptions are expected to have a person in who’s honor the tea is thrown, occasionally this can be a few people. They have generally died out as formal entertaining has gone the way of the dodo, but occasionally they do still happen.
I’d like to attend a tea reception, does anyone still hold them? I’ve only been to one, which was when I was very young. What I principally remember was wearing a very frilly dress, white gloves and black patent leather shoes with itchy tights. My mother looked elegant in a bright pink dress, coordinated with matching shoes and bag in taupe. There was a fashion show followed by a ladies tea. I was given punch and a piece of cake on a fancy plate. I thought it was marvelous even though I was one of only two children in attendance. I’m looking for any excuse to throw one.
I hope you all are happy and well entertained. Much love, Cheri
