SOYOUWANNA SERVE HIGH TEA?

2. OBTAIN THE PROPER EQUIPMENT

The things you'll need to serve tea are also an important part of the atmosphere. The objects you use can greatly complement the music and decor you've chosen. First, the teapot is the centerpiece of the event. It is the mothership, if you will, where all of the tea resides in order to steep (gain its potency). Most connoisseurs go for the ceramic type, often decorated with flowers or other dainty designs. The most popular kind is the stout, plain brown pot called (if you want to be up on the lingo) the "Brown Betty." You can find teapots at many tea-friendly shops as well as on-line.

Naturally, you will need enough teacups and saucers, teaspoons, dessert plates, dessert forks and spoons, spreading knives, and cocktail napkins for your guests. You may lay these out at every seat place, or you can provide them at a side station.

A creamer for cream or milk (whichever type you feel is appropriate, be it whole, half-and-half or whatnot), and a sugarbowl with its own spoon are indispensable. In addition to all of these, the appropriate bowls or plates on which you spread your desserts, sandwiches, or even ice cream goes without saying. O.K., we just did.

Oh, and whether you have inherited a full teaset from Gramama Floogen-Flagle, or you've got mismatched knicknacks, don't sweat it…unless you're planning on Martha Stewart dropping on by, don't worry about your accessories – they'll give the tea personality. Smack anyone who says otherwise.