This week's Tea Blog-a-thon focus, hosted by Gracious Hospital-i-tea, is called "Set the Table, Tea is On." I was blog-hopping recently and found the first of these vintage videos embedded into Angela McRae's entry in Tea with Friends. I followed the related links and found the second video.
On special occasions, my mother's and grandmother's dining room tables looked very similar to those shown in these videos -- elegant linens, sterling silver coffee and tea sets, and beautiful floral centerpieces. I have the same traditional dining room set, but occasions I host in my home are more casual than those my mother and grandmother hosted.
While I truly value courtesy and use it fully in all venues, as I listened to the narrator of these videos describe good manners and articulate instructions for properly hosting a tea party, I must admit that I'm glad the rules etiquette have relaxed over time.
Just click each video to watch. Enjoy!
Source: http://www.archive.org/index.php
I'll have to check back later and see if I can watch these~ they aren't coming through right now. My daughter LOVES "The Princess Diaries" movie and the lovely tea they enjoy there. I agree~ relaxed manners are better.
Have a lovely week!
Posted by: Denise | May 04, 2008 at 03:16 PM
Albeit a bit stuffy, these were indeed fun to watch! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Nancy | May 04, 2008 at 03:26 PM
I loved seeing the old videos. My how times have changed! Thanks for sharing...I hope to see your tea table soon.
Posted by: Karen Sweet Necessi-Teas | May 04, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Ha! That was fun. I'm glad you dug them up for us to see. I too am happy for a more relaxed style these days...
Posted by: ellen b | May 05, 2008 at 10:51 AM
That was interesting... I enjoyed seeing the linens and the dishes. Those old silver tea sets were quite something! Thank you for sharing these old videos.
Posted by: Vee~A Haven for Vee | May 06, 2008 at 06:19 AM
I am so glad I took some time to watch the videos. They were delightful! I am glad times have changed, but I did actually pick up a couple of tips. Thanks for posting those!
Posted by: Lisa | May 06, 2008 at 11:28 PM
There is something very special about the elegant and formal tea's of your mother's and grandmother's day. But, I really like how the ritual of afternoon tea has become more vintage chic and intimate --- making way for great conversation and even more special times with friends!
Thanks for sharing!
LaTeaDah
Posted by: LaTeaDah | May 08, 2008 at 09:29 PM
What a great blast from the past! We saw similar video's, actually they were film strips in Home Economics Class in Jr. High and High School. They were out dated even then! These look like they are from the fifties as my mother had similar dresses and heels then. Thank you for sharing this, I had so much fun viewing it. I too am glad I can be a bit more informal at tea time!
Posted by: Miss Sandy | May 15, 2008 at 10:17 AM