HALLOWEEN TEA PARTY IDEAS

Fall is just around the corner and I am sure most of you are already thinking about what to do for Halloween. Maybe you want to do something different than your average run of the mill Halloween party. Why not host a spooky Halloween tea party this year. I will outline some idea for your own tea party, but feel free to let your imagine run wild!

First step is to pick out your tea: Rooibos tea is also referred to as red tea. This is the most bloody looking tea you could serve. Rooibos tea comes in a variety of flavors; The Tea Cupboard offers loose leaf Rooibos in Caramel, Bourbon St. Vanilla, and Pecan Turtle, as well as a few other flavors, but these fit the fall theme well. You can also add a black tea as a second choice. Maybe something like our Pumpkin Spice or Candy Apple. *Add your favorite alcohol to the tea to make an "Adult" Brew! (I recommend Vodka, Spiced Rum, or Buttershot)

Now that you have you have picked out your tea the next step is to find some spooky mugs or tea cups and saucers to serve the tea in. Shop your local stores or the internet to find all kinds of creepy mugs and cups to suit your taste! I recommend cups and saucers for that authentic tea party feel.

Now! What to serve? Hmm, there are all kinds of great ideas on the internet. Here are a few to get you started, but feel free to do your own investigation and tweak the menu to your liking and level of creepiness.

Start with the tea sandwiches. The cucumber sandwich is a staple at traditional tea parties. For your Halloween party you could cut the bread using a pumpkin shaped cookie cutter then add the ingredients. To make the cream cheese filling take 8oz of plain cream cheese and mix with one packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dip. I let this stand for a while to make the cream cheese soft so it spreads on the bread easier. Then peel and cut your cucumber into 1/4 inch circular slices and then assemble your sandwich. It's that easy. Another sandwich idea is mummy hot dogs using crescent roll dough. There are several ideas on the internet for this sandwich as well as other. Again, let your imagination run wild!!

What is a tea party with out the scones!! My favorite scone to make this time of year is the pumpkin scone. There are many recipes on the internet, I have attached the address to one such recipe, but feel free to search for one that suits you. sallysbakingaddiction.com/pumpkin-scones/

SWEETS! This, in my opinion, is THE best part of the tea party. Not only because of the sweet, flavorful concoctions but, because of the variety and many creative possibilities there are. One of the most popular sweets I have made for Halloween is Candy Corn Bark, www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/candy-corn-bark/

This is a simple recipe that only requires the use of your microwave to melt the vanilla flavored almond bark and is a hit with children and grown ups alike. Another sweet you could add is sugar cookie cut-outs using your favorite spooky shaped cookie cutters and decorated with colored icing and sprinkles.

If you are looking for a bit more of a healthy spin on your sweets, try white chocolate dipped strawberries decorated with eyes and a mouth to resemble ghosts or, try peeling small tangerines, leaving them in tact, and insert a slice of celery stalk into the top to look like a tiny pumpkin with a stalk. Garnish with either the celery leaves or maybe a fresh mint leaf for extra flourish!

Finally, serve your sandwiches, scones and sweets on 3 tiered Halloween themed cupcake stand to give it that authentic tea party flare! Have some spooky plates, napkins, etc available. A black or web designed table cloth can add to the atmosphere you are trying to create as well. Again, use your imagination and most of all have fun with it!

These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are many recipes and ideas on the internet to help you out. Please visit www.theteacupboard.com for a variety of flavors and types of teas, including the ones mentioned above, that can make your Halloween Tea Party and smash!

HAPPY HAUNTING!