The Tea Programs
The custom of taking tea, a longstanding tradition in New England, is most agreeably finding its way back into homes and other gracious venues of hospitality across the United States. Far more than offering a beautifully set table and dainty fare, the ceremony of tea provides an ideal setting for friendships and relationships of any age to be cultivated.
A Tea Program may be customized to suit the theme of your own meeting or occasion. A typical program length is 45 minutes and includes a brief history of tea, the tea leaf, types of tea and herbal tisanes, styles of tea service and the etiquette of afternoon tea, including a demonstration on how to make a proper pot of tea and serve it. A tea tutorial may also be included.
The Tea Tutorial: From taking your seat to rising from it, this feature of your tea program covers a more in-depth presentation and participation of the etiquette of afternoon tea. This includes taking your seat, the nuances of napkin etiquette, how to hold a knife and fork (American and Continental styles), how to eat a scone with jam and cream, as well as pouring and drinking tea.
For speaking engagement inquiries, please contact Lisa Steigerwalt at mailbox@experiencinghome.org.
Here is a sampling of the most popular programs:
A Tea Program may be customized to suit the theme of your own meeting or occasion. A typical program length is 45 minutes and includes a brief history of tea, the tea leaf, types of tea and herbal tisanes, styles of tea service and the etiquette of afternoon tea, including a demonstration on how to make a proper pot of tea and serve it. A tea tutorial may also be included.
The Tea Tutorial: From taking your seat to rising from it, this feature of your tea program covers a more in-depth presentation and participation of the etiquette of afternoon tea. This includes taking your seat, the nuances of napkin etiquette, how to hold a knife and fork (American and Continental styles), how to eat a scone with jam and cream, as well as pouring and drinking tea.
For speaking engagement inquiries, please contact Lisa Steigerwalt at mailbox@experiencinghome.org.
Here is a sampling of the most popular programs:
A Cup of Tea and Friendship
Tea, the most social beverage in all the world, and its beautiful ceremony, set the table for friendships to flourish. In this classic talk, learn the history, habits and the heart of the tea table. Steep yourselves in tea's historic tale as Lisa guides you through, "What tea is and what it is not, and how to prepare the perfect pot, how to serve your guest a cup and whether to lift your pinkie up!" The heart of the tea table is time for connection and conversation as we pour ourselves into the lives of others which is a precious commodity in our culture today!
A special version of this talk is given for young hostesses, equipping these lovely young ladies with the essentials of giving their own tea party. A workshop booklet is available.
A special version of this talk is given for young hostesses, equipping these lovely young ladies with the essentials of giving their own tea party. A workshop booklet is available.
Tea and Gardening
Tea and gardening have always been constant companions. After all, tea began in a garden! Designed especially for garden clubs, this delightful Tea Talk features a "visit" to some of the most famous tea gardens of the world as guests learn about the history and horticulture of tea and how to make a pot of tea right from their own gardens. A tea making demonstration and the etiquette of afternoon tea are also features of this program. This tea talk concludes with a special reading from the children's classic, "The Secret Garden", exploring how the garden helps us to cultivate character and friendships.
Taking Tea in 1912
One hundred years ago, taking tea experienced a revival in America as tea rooms sprang up across the countryside with the invention of the automobile. Step back into the Titanic life and times of 1912 and learn how we elegantly took our tea during America's Golden Age and how we can revive this most valuable institution today. Presented in period dress.
Antiqui-Tea: Tea Taking in Colonial America
The history of taking tea in America is one of the most fascinating chapters in tea's illustrious history. Dressed in period attire, Lisa discusses the most significant role that tea played in Colonial America, how women took tea and what antique accoutrements they used. The Boston Tea Party, Iced Tea and the Tea Bag are just a few historical tea-sers infused into this talk.
Tea and Jane Austen
Just how did Jane Austen take her tea? To be sure, she did not take it with dainty tea sandwiches for they had not yet arrived on the tea table. In this historical and literary tea, well suited to library programs and literary societies, Lisa educates and entertains on the preparation and etiquette of taking tea during the Regency Era of England--Jane Austen's world. Learn how Jane would have procured it, what types of tea were available, how she prepared it, when she would have taken it and the social customs surrounding her life and that of so many of her classic literary characters.
Taking Tea in 1812
The year is 1812. It was the Age of Austen, but on this side of the pond, it was the Era of Madison--Dolley Madison, that is. Unsurpassed in her gift of hospitality, "Queen Dolley" was the toast of Washington and considered America's first First Lady. Learn about this most gracious heroine of American history and the prominent place tea held in homes throughout America. In period dress, Lisa shares about the history and habits of taking tea two hundred years ago while calling us back to experiencing its gift of gracious hospitality and friendship today.
A Cup of Christmas Tea
"Christmas is the best time of year, to take Tea and Friendship with Someone Dear."
Enter into the heart of the Christmas season by enjoying a cup of Christmas tea. Drawing on the directives of Lisa's booklet, "Taking Tea at Christmas", guests at this festive tea talk will learn the highlights of how to create a memorable Christmas tea, including choosing a theme, setting the table, preparing the perfect pot of tea, tea etiquette, serving tea and conversation and Christmas activity ideas.
For Christian audiences, hear the enduring life-giving story of Christmas and Christ's beautiful invitation to personally relate to us, as if over cups of tea.
Enter into the heart of the Christmas season by enjoying a cup of Christmas tea. Drawing on the directives of Lisa's booklet, "Taking Tea at Christmas", guests at this festive tea talk will learn the highlights of how to create a memorable Christmas tea, including choosing a theme, setting the table, preparing the perfect pot of tea, tea etiquette, serving tea and conversation and Christmas activity ideas.
For Christian audiences, hear the enduring life-giving story of Christmas and Christ's beautiful invitation to personally relate to us, as if over cups of tea.
© Lisa Steigerwalt 2009-2020