What can I bring to an English tea party?

Question

My future mother in law is from Banbury and is throwing a tea party for her mother's 90th birthday , I feel the need to bring something special, I am rather new to this family but love them all dearly. Can anyone suggest something i can bring?

for the most part Mum is providing the tea and food, any special sweets that I could maybe order online? Somethig we can't make ourselves but that will remind her of home?

Answer 1

Well I am English born, so I will tell you....

Tea Party food is always small in size.

You can have two different plates, but presentation is 1st!

Then the finger food, has to be small...and cute.
Cucumber sandwiches are a must!... but with no crusts on the bread at all........Scones and cream and Jam.
Tiny cakes, with icing...The size about 2inches by 2inches..NO bigger.So you can make up a slab of cake, cut to size 2inch..by 2inch sq...Icing on each one, and maybe a cherry on top..or a walnut, that is acceptable...or Tiny sausage rolls.Remember to place food on lace Doyle's,on tray or plate.

p.s. wish I was coming...yummie.

Answer 2

Heavens No. You would not bring Earl Grey tea. The "Earl Grey Tea Incident" was the primary cause of Germany's air raids on Britain in World War II. I don't think your mother in law wants the German Blitzkrieg crashing her little tea party. She'll know what that is. You must be sensitive to these things. After all, these people are europeans. You have to know your history. I think your question is really WHO would you bring and the answer is me. You would bring me because I'm a "tea-sucking, limey a**hole," as one man put it. I go over well with the old people because I'm sensitive to their arthritic woes and I love playing cricket and football (that's soccer to you Yanks).

Answer 3

I would, personally, send some flowers the day before, then when you went to the tea party I would bring a really pretty teacup and saucer something with roses on it maybe, then send her a card the day after or possibly bring the card to the party.
Plus I would make her some really yummy scones!

Answer 4

Sure call her and ask, have some suggestions ready if she says yes. English tea is usually some tiny sandwiches, and little miniature desserts or biscuits, what the English call cookies.and of course, tea. Ask what gran's favorite tea treat is.
Don't just show up with something, and if you do, remember that the hostess is under no obligation to use it at the party.
And of course, a gift for Gran. Also OK to call ahead , if you need suggestions for that.

Answer 5

Just bring yourself and a nice hand-written note to congratulate her on her long life. If you really want to bring a gift for a 90th birthday, do what you would do for any other birthday occasion. If she is a really "proper English gentlewoman", you might consider getting her a pretty teacup-and-saucer set to commemorate the occasion. You can find one at most gift stores; I think even Hallmark carries some. I am a tea lover myself, and would love this as a birthday gift.

Answer 6

Butter scones or scones with raisins,hot cross buns,some traditional English tea earl Grey with a silver ware tea set also small jars of a variety of different jams.

Answer 7

The nicest, and most appropriate gift, from an etiquette perspective, is to send flowers the morning of or day before. She will be grateful to have an arrangement to display for her guests, and since they will arrive from the florist, she will not have to arrange them, etc., when you and other guests are arriving. Have fun!

Answer 8

Tea. Earl Grey, maybe.

Answer 9

flowers or a well chosen plant are always a good plan. not a bansai tree!! tread carefully with homemade cakes. you will be judged. expensive but un exciting chocolates are usually a garaunteed brownie point winner. hope it goes well.

Answer 10

an English tea bag