| Bring the mystery of the orient into your living room | | | | as Japan, Thailand, or China. If your theme is based |
| with a creative tea party that will have your guests | | | | on a specific country, choose music |
| begging for more. Possibilities are endless when you | | | | accordingly.Invitation IdeasYou can really get creative |
| host an Asian themed tea party, from presenting an | | | | with invitations, from purchasing ones that are |
| overview of Asian teas to replicating a Japanese tea | | | | shaped like a fan to using an origami invitation that |
| ceremony.Your presentation can vary depending on | | | | guests can unfold to read.Alternatively, you may be |
| your guests and how formal or informal you would | | | | interested in invitations that have an Asian picture or |
| like the party to be. Either way, an Asian tea party is | | | | symbol on them.If you are hosting a formal party, |
| a great way to introduce many exotic Asian | | | | invitations on specialty paper make a beautiful work |
| teas.ActivitiesDepending on the overall feel of the | | | | of art. Your budget will influence the style of |
| party, choose among a variety of possible activities. | | | | invitation you choose to use.The good news is that |
| Hosting a traditional Japanese tea ceremony can be | | | | there are many options available for all price ranges. |
| fun and educational for your guests. If you don't | | | | Start with a local gift or party shop. There are lots of |
| want to do something quite so formal, you can teach | | | | great companies available online as well.FoodsThe |
| your guests various Asian customs regarding tea, | | | | food choices for an Asian tea party are almost |
| such as traditional preparation methods, types of | | | | unlimited! For starters, offer a variety of sushi, which |
| teas, how to pour and present teas, and Asian tea | | | | can be made to suit any taste, including mild, spicy, |
| etiquette.This approach can be unusual, lively, and | | | | and vegetarian.Stir-fry is easy to make for larger |
| memorable. It's also a great opportunity to use | | | | groups of people, and you could even prepare the |
| different teapots and cups that are Asian inspired. If | | | | food in a central area so your guests can observe. |
| you are hosting a Japanese inspired party, you could | | | | It's entertaining and educational!Asian foods rely |
| include origami as one of the activities.It's fun, | | | | heavily on rice and noodles, and there are many |
| inexpensive, and does not require a lot of space. Like | | | | recipes to find that incorporate these, from soups to |
| fortune cookies? Why not order a batch for your | | | | main dishes and deserts. Of course, you'll still want to |
| guests and share your fortunes round the | | | | offer fortune cookies!Whichever foods you choose, |
| table.DecorationsDecorations can be simple yet | | | | offer lighter food choices, as those that are too |
| elegant. To set the mood, purchase a variety of | | | | heavy can take away from the tea |
| paper lanterns to create a warm ambiance. Use a lot | | | | experience.TeasThis event would be perfect with a |
| of red and black, as these are customary colors and | | | | delicate Oolong like Monkey Pick or a mystical Tung |
| pair them with dragons and hanging wall fans.Find | | | | Ting. You might also wish to consider "display teas" |
| some small parasols to place on each table, or use | | | | which actually bloom when steeped in water.These |
| the small ones for decoration in your teacups. For | | | | hand tied extravaganzas are sure to impress your |
| added elegance, use specialty porcelain dishes and | | | | guests. Order from you are looking to impress your |
| China as well as designer chopsticks. Look for cards | | | | guests invite them to experience tea and its |
| that have "friendship" or other sayings printed using | | | | birthplace. You will have them begging for more.(C) |
| the authentic symbols to use for added | | | | Dawnya SasseDawnya Sasse is the creator of the |
| ambiance.Decorate the room and tables with flowers | | | | ultimate tea business training school allowing students |
| such as orchids and lotuses. Bamboo is an easy, | | | | to discover the secrets of the tea industry,"quickly |
| inexpensive, and authentic decoration option.In | | | | and easily" without ever leaving home.Why do some |
| addition, if you already have them or are able to | | | | people succeed in the tea business? Discover how to |
| borrow or rent them, incorporate small water | | | | "Unlock the Secrets of the Billion Dollar Tea Industry |
| fountains, bonsai trees, or small rock | | | | from the Comfort of Your Own Computer" and |
| gardens.MusicHaving a variety of Asian music playing | | | | make your tea dream a reality. Free audio mini course |
| the background is perfect for setting the tone of the | | | | article may be distributed freely on your website, as |
| party.Visit the local music store for suggestions. You | | | | long as this entire article, including links and this |
| may want to use some type of compilation, or | | | | resource box are unchanged. |
| choose music from a specific region or country, such | | | | Copyright 2006 Dawnya Sasse All Rights Reserved. |