The garden has been put to sleep for the winter. All the vegetables have been harvested and preserved, except for a few squashes which are still adorning my kitchen countertops. The days are growing shorter, and we start seeking coziness and warmth. What better way to cherish the days of late fall than by hosting an autumn tea party?
I like tea parties, and I usually host at least one during the spring or summer. However, the unpredictable weather of late fall and early winter does not seem optimal to me for a lavish tea party. Rather, this time of year I prefer smaller gatherings of just two or three. Instead of preparing platters of dainties and elegant cakes, autumn calls for a simpler, more homey offering.
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Setting a Theme
When you set a theme for a party, there are several different ways you can make that theme present. The size of the party, the decor of the room and table decorations, the type of dishes you use, the outfit you wear, and of course the teas and edibles can all play a role in developing your theme.
I like a cozy theme for my autumn tea gatherings. This theme lends itself well to small gatherings of just a few friends. The larger a room is, the harder it is to make it feel cozy. The same goes for the number of people you invite. Coziness is akin to familiarity, and it gets lost in larger numbers of people.
Thus, instead of inviting several people to tea at the same time, during the autumn months I like to invite one or two at a time, and just have several smaller tea parties. That also gives me an excuse to make lots of different teatime treats!
Creating a Cozy Atmosphere
Back to the theme. Our little cabin is the perfect setting for a cozy gathering of friends. (It’s a bit of a stretch to make it seem airy enough for a dainty springtime tea party!) The kitchen is open, with a good sized dining table in the middle. Thus when you sit at the table, you really feel like you’re in the heart of our home.
Most of my kitchen decor is practical: from the cast iron skillets that live on the stove, to the pumpkins and squashes adorning my counter while they await their fates as pies.
These things can help create a cozy atmosphere in the kitchen. However, there is a distinction between cozy and cluttered, so I do try to tidy up before inviting guests!
Setting the Table
Since we won’t need a separate space to display a large selection of edibles, the kitchen table is the main focus of the party. Somehow then, the theme should center around it. How do you make a table seem cozy?
Think about the word “cozy,” and what images it brings to mind. For me, that would be sweaters, warm blankets, fireplaces, candlelight, the scents of cinnamon and cloves, and rich colors like reds and golds.
I can’t cover my table with a blanket, but I can use a tablecloth. Something fairly heavy in a rich hue is perfect. We don’t have a fireplace, but I can light a cinnamon-scented candle. Other cozy colors and scents can come from the tea and food, which we’ll talk about later.
So far, I have a red plaid tablecloth and a cinnamon-scented candle. Cloth napkins go along with the theme. If all the leaves outside weren’t already covered with snow, I might bring in a few branches to place in a vase. The decorations don’t have to be extravagant, though.
I like to use ceramic dishes instead of china this time of year. It’s heavier and more homey. Using pretty mugs instead of dainty teacups gives you a cup to wrap your hands around and feel the warmth of the tea. This is the time of year when my glossy brown teapot shines the brightest, reflecting the dancing flame of the candle.
Before we talk about food, one last thing you can do to create an atmosphere is to dress the part. For a flowery spring theme, sundresses are just the thing. For a cozy autumn gathering, how about a sweater and a woolen skirt? Scarves or brooches are an easy way to make a simple outfit more refined.
Seasonal Teas
What to serve at an autumn tea party? Let’s start with the tea itself. Robust black teas match the weather, and spicy blends fit in with the seasonal flavors of apple and pumpkin. Chai is a good choice for the chilly months. Serve it with lots of milk.
Cinnamon Plum is another of my cool-weather favorites! It has less caffeine than some other black teas, so I can still drink it in the afternoon!
If you’re looking for a caffeine free option, try a cinnamon or apple cinnamon spiced herbal blend. One of my fall favorites is Vermont Maple Ginger from Celestial Seasonings. It’s spicy and warming with the ginger, with a hint of maple sweetness. I let this tea steep longer than most other herbal teas, because the flavor just gets better as it gets stronger!
Spiced cranberry tea is a tea drink with other spices and fruits added to a black tea base. It’s not a traditional tea party tea, but it does make a nice warm drink for cold weather! It’s particularly nice to serve after outdoor adventures when you need something warm to sip.
Autumn Accompaniments
When it comes to food for an autumn tea party, the hardest part is narrowing down my list! There are so many yummy-looking recipes for pumpkin or apple or cinnamon-flavored goodies! That’s why I like to invite a sister or friend over after I’ve made a fall-themed treat. If I plan it too far in advance, I’m likely to bake too much. (Like our Halloween party this year, at which the entire meal was pumpkin-themed.)
That being said, there are a lot of options for autumn tea party foods. Try pumpkin or cranberry scones, with sugar on top or a light glaze. Other yeast and quick breads with similar flavors will do nicely. Apple cinnamon bread or pumpkin rolls are both good choices.
Even basic hearty yeast loaves like rye or sourdough can find their place at a simple autumn tea, spread with butter or as a base for sandwiches. Sandwich toppings can be warm and hearty, like apple slices with melted cheese, or shaved turkey with cranberry sauce.
Sweet treats could include gingersnaps or gingerbread, pumpkin spice snickerdoodles, pumpkin bars or mini pies, apple turnovers, spice cake… the list goes on and on, and they all sound tasty!
Just remember that it’s fine to stick with a few options. When you’re going for a cozy theme, a wide array of goodies can make it seem more like a Thanksgiving feast than a homey gathering of friends.
I hope you have enjoyed my description of a cozy autumn tea party. Maybe it will inspire you to invite a friend over some chilly day and sip tea together, enjoying fellowship and fall flavors. If you have a favorite autumn teatime recipe or idea, I would love to hear it! Please leave a comment if you wish.
For more tea recipes, try Butterscotch Creme Iced Tea.
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