How to Have a Witches Tea

Come in and sit for a spell ...

It's the first of October and one of my favorite holidays is Halloween. Thankfully my parents and grandparents always made it a grand and magical time! When it came to choosing a costume, I always wanted to be a witch or a vampire, but mom knew best. She would often dress me as a princess, and the most daring was a gypsy. 

There was a time when I use to hold a lot of themed tea parties with several friends. We had our Victorian High Tea, Mad Hatter Tea, Forest Fairy Tea, Teddy Bear Tea, and even a Retro Trashy Tea complete with bologna sandwiches and Jello salad. Then I read online about a Witches Tea and I just knew I had to host one. We are now on our Sixth Annual Witches Tea. 

So, how do you have a Witches Tea? First we start with the "Who, What, Where, When, and Why?" 

Who: Friends and acquaintances that you enjoy, and especially those who enjoy dressing up. Nothing worse than a party pooper who doesn't at least wear basic black and a witch hat. Then there's Great Aunt Bessie who just sits and stares while shaking her head in protest. No, the point of this party is to celebrate with girlfriends, and laugh. It's an afternoon where there are no children vying for mom's attention, and no male partners who may stifle the silliness. It's just a girl's afternoon - a sorority gathering, so to speak. 

There are many witch outfits to choose from. Check out some of the favorite witches of TV and movies; such as Aunt Clara, Samantha, Esmeralda,  Winifred Sanderson, and Professor Minerva McGonagall. How about a Kitchen Witch? A black chef's hat is always in order. You just have to ask yourself, "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?"

Witch Way?

What: Besides enjoying tea, there are plenty of things you can do to keep entertained. Witchy word games, a witch fashion show with each witch showing off her outfit, a parade around the block (my neighbors loved it and were out with their cameras), and even have a "witchy" craft project to do. One year I had a fortune teller who read cards. Know a tea leaf reader? Contests for the best costume or even a cackling contest is always great entertainment. 

Be sure and have "witchy" sounds or music in the background (Stevie Nicks and Enya work well, as far as music), or even a favorite witch movie playing on a screen such as "Hocus Pocus" with the volume turned low - don't want the movie too loud so your guests have to yell to be heard during conversation. 

As a courtesy, don't forget the "broom parking" for your guests. 

Invites can be sent in the mail or hand delivered, and even "e-vites" via the internet work well. Decorations can be simple as just table centerpieces or go with the full scary haunted witch house. Be sure and have a guest book for your guests to sign.  I use a decorated notebook that I have my witchy guests sign, year after year. I also use the same book to jot down ideas for the next year. It's become a diary of sorts.

Host witch greeting her guests with a glass of bubbly

And most important is the food that goes along with a Witches Tea. My first three teas, I originally hosted all of the food, and then as the tea grew and with limited time, we now do a pot luck, or would that be a "black cauldron luck?" The creative and fun foods the witches have come up with are not only tasty, but part of the entertainment. Pinterest is a good source with many ideas on the Pinterest Halloween food boards. See ideas below of photos from past Witches Teas.  

Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Cupcakes

Black Widow Spider Cheese Log

Human eyeballs, of course. 

Witch Shortbread Fingers

Pumpkin Barf aka Spinach Dip

Caramelized Frog Feet (Caramel) and Eye of Newt Pate (Lemon Curd) for Cookie Spreads

Toad Bladders aka Grapes Wrapped in Bleu Cheese and Almonds

Sea Monster aka Gin Cured Salmon (Lox)

Savory Witchy Mini Quiche

Drinks can be anything, from Champagne, wine, a fun festive drink in a bubbling cauldron, and yes  - even brewed tea. It's always fun to add "scary labels" to the wine bottles.

Where: Where ever your broom flies you. Originally our party started at my home using card tables scattered about in my main room. When the party grew beyond a dozen, then we took it to various places from a dungeon-like basement below a wine shop, an old theater, and this year will be the production room of a brewery.

Old Theater

House Party

Dungeon

When: For my group of friends, I found that a Sunday afternoon was a great time for tea, especially since so many of my guests often worked on Saturdays. I chose to always keep it the Sunday before Halloween, that way any of the "witches" who still had kidlets at home, could still spend their Halloween with their family. Traditional tea time is at 4:00 pm, so the time set for the Witches Tea was from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Those set of numbers just seemed rather "witchy." The time and calendar date has never been changed and will remain an annual.

Why: Why Not?

Thank you to my witchy friends for their joy and enthusiasm of the Witches Tea, as well as their creative ideas for costume and food. Let's face it, we cannot have a party without you.