Spring is on its way, and with it comes plans for bridal and baby showers, graduation and anniversary parties. One way to have a really lovely and inexpensive party is to have a formal tea party in your home. You can serve up to 30 people a memorable meal for less than $8 each.

How To Do It

1. Determine how many guests you can comfortably fit seated in your home. Move furniture out of your living room and rent café tables from a rental company (Arlington has Taylor Rental, right near the Lexington line). Tables cost about $7 per day each, delivered; chairs are $5.

2. Plan your menu and keep it simple. Print out copies of your menu and leave on each seat.

3. Make your desserts the day before; prep sandwich fillings the day before as well. Fresh herbs (from Wilson Farm or Stop & Shop) will make a big difference in the flavor of your sandwiches. Buy different breads (Neillio's Gourmet Farm has a great selection) for variety and color on the plates.

4. Fill your sandwiches the morning of the event; place on baking sheets; cover with wax paper and top with a damp kitchen towel. Before serving, transfer to plates and serve plates of different items to each table.

5. Choose some great music to play quietly in the background as guests arrive; I love Blossom Dearie for a tea party!

Here’s my favorite tea party menu! E-mail me for recipes.

Tea Party Bridal Shower 

Les boissons
Veuve Clicquot Champagne
Cook’s Asti Spumante
Raspberry Nectar Fruit Punch

Les hors d’oeuvres
Artisanal English Cheese Tray
Hors d’oeuvres variés

Des sandwiches
Prosciutto with Fig Jam and Cream Cheese on White Bread
Smoked Salmon with Cucumber, Cream Cheese & Dill on Dark Rye
Curried Egg Salad on White Bread
Thyme-infused Tuna Salad on White Bread
Cranberry Chicken Salad Sliders

Accompaniment
Potato Salad

Tea
Barry’s Irish Gold Label Kalahari Peppermint Red Tea (no caffeine)

Les Desserts
Petit Fours
Raspberry Thumbprint cookies
Lemon Squares
Lemon Curd and Whipped Cream Chocolate Cups
Chocolate Cake
Chocolate Truffles