There’s nothing quite like receiving a hand-written letter in the mail. It has an old-fashioned sentimental feel in these days of speedy communication. You can host your own fun and inspiring Tea and Letter-Writing Party with these simple suggestions.
Supplies
To get this party started, you’ll want to provide an assortment of notecards and writing implements, and perhaps other items with which to embellish your letters. Consider having handy some ink stamps or stickers to make it an artsy project. Include thoughtful quotes and inspiring sayings, too.
If you’re feeling super crafty, get some blank notecards and have your guests create their own designs. You might even provide postage stamps, then collect the completed cards in addressed envelopes, stamp them, and drop them in the mail as a group.
Snacks
Choose foods that are easy to eat and aren’t too fussy, to make it easy for guests to feed their appetite throughout the letter-writing activity. I like a down-to-earth menu of sandwiches and soup with crackers.
An organic rice and vegetable soup (I used a canned version) was my appetizer, heated up on the stove and served piping hot when friends arrived. Chicken salad tea sandwiches are always a great go-to. I made up this recipe with ingredients I already had at home.
Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches
Ingredients:
- 4 slices sourdough bread, toasted
- 1 large cooked chicken breast (approx. 1.5 cups), chopped
- 1 handful of spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup finely grated hard cheese, like Parmesan
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Toast bread and spread with butter, on one side, if desired.
In a medium-size bowl, mix together chopped chicken, chopped spinach, grated cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper.
Spread chicken mixture on one slice of toasted bread and cover with another slice of bread, buttered-side facing in. Cut off crusts and cut into fourths. Repeat for remaining two bread slices and chicken mixture.
An assortment of nuts, potato chips, or other savory finger foods will make a nice accompaniment. Treat the group to something sweet, like homemade chocolate chip cookies or dairy-free chocolate truffles.
Of course there will be tea! How about Plum Deluxe’s toasted and slightly smoky Stargazer Mate Chai? Mate tea is a cultural icon in South America -- it’s known as the beverage of friendship. You’ll find this tea makes an excellent latte; add just a touch of sweetness to balance the spice.
Noteworthy Notes
Now that you have your table set and your guests in place, to whom should you write?
Think about someone in your family or group of friends who would adore receiving a hand-written note from you (hint: anyone!). How about an elderly relative, someone who lived in the days when mail was the absolute bees knees? It might be a long-distance friend who would cherish a special note in their mailbox.
Plum Deluxe recently promoted a campaign to write “letters of kindness” for seniors in the community. What a fabulous reason to gather your friends together for a letter-writing tea party! Invite everyone to write their own kindness letters to their neighbors and other members of the community.
Whoever you choose to write to at your Tea and Letter-Writing Party, encourage your guests to use this opportunity to speak from the heart and let love flow from their pens. Kind words are like little treasures that lift up those who receive them, and the letters in which they’re written can be revisited and cherished indefinitely.
