Tea Time

When manners were genteel and socializing was done in person rather than on cell phones and Internet networks, ladies attended tea parties. Women in their best finery crooked pinkies on teacups, with lace hankies to use after each delicate sip.

Everything old is new again as teatime may be having a resurgence.

Mavis Sanders, retired from the financial industry, is originally from England. There, the tradition of taking time out for a meal with tea took roots in the 17th century with Queen Catherine, who brought the concept from her native Portugal.

Mavis enjoys making tea for friends in her Houston home, saying there are “ladies who lunch, and ladies who have tea.”

“We used to say it was a good excuse to get your fine china out,” Mavis said. “It’s purely social, and it’s a lovely thing to have friends come to my home and get together. So many people are too busy for some of the niceties like afternoon tea, and that’s a shame. I am fortunate to be able to do that.”

Celebrating friendship and family with a tea party are (from left) Valerie Hale, Lauren Hale, Lily Khuri, Helen Streaker, Penelope Khuri and Helena Khuri. (Photo: www.hartphoto.com)

She enjoys strong dark tea that is properly made, brewed with tea leaves and the water so hot it practically “jumps out of the pot.”

Her friends – Norman Neidell, a consultant in oil and gas exploration, and wife June – have joined her at her home and at the Hotel Granduca for teatime. Norman lived in England for five years, and he got used to the custom of afternoon tea.

The Neidells describe the Hotel Granduca tea as elegant and relaxing, where pastries, delicate sandwiches and all sorts of tea are served while soothing music plays. Norman prefers an Earl Grey tea while June likes one called “passion fruit.”

“We like to go to tea maybe a couple of times a month, to make it a special occasion, or just to relax,” Norman said. “It’s enjoyable to have a cup of tea with milk, which is the proper British way, and have a few cucumber sandwiches.”

Gina Taylor, a full-time mom after 22 years in the energy business, has warm memories of growing up watching her own mom, Dee Avioli, make a pot of tea and talk around a table with friends. She and her sister, Dana Harris, her 13-year-old daughter, Amanda Taylor, and niece Sophia Harris, 10, carry on that tradition today.

Little lady Helena Khuri learns the proper way to pour tea for her grandmother, Lily Khuri, and family friend Helen Streaker. (Photo: www.hartphoto.com)

Around seven years ago, she and Dana first took their daughters to a formal tea at the St. Regis Hotel in the River Oaks area. Now it is their tradition to go to the hotel every holiday season.

“We thought the girls were big enough to learn the proper way to have tea, including using the utensils properly, holding the saucer with the teacup, taking lumps of sugar with a utensil, and passing around plates of cakes,” said Gina. “We show them how to sit with their legs crossed too. These are the little pieces of etiquette that young ladies should know.”

Penelope Khuri, also a full-time mom, hosted a special birthday tea party in honor of family friend Helen Streaker, a world traveler who appreciates a formal tea. Penelope and her mother-in-law, Lily Khuri, who lived in England for a while, researched formal teas. Her 5-year-old daughter, Helena, and Lily both had the honor of pouring tea. Sister-in-law Valerie Hale and niece Lauren Hale, 8, were also part of the fun.

“We actually looked at a 1940s version of (etiquette author) Emily Post,” Penelope said. “We found that back in the day, formal teas in the afternoon were very dressy, so we had everyone dress up. Since Helen often wears a big hat, we had everyone wear a hat too. We set up the table exactly as it should be with the tea on one end.”

Sharon Brumley, a retired administrator, hosted a similar party for mother Doris Biven’s 80th birthday party. She used her aunt’s antique china, as well as sterling silver and linen on the tables. The guests, who included her parents’ friends, said it was like stepping back in time.

“We served finger sandwiches, petits fours and other things appropriate to a high tea,” Sharon said. “It was a great time for all.”

Editor’s Note: Mary Grace Gray (713-418-1000) teaches tea manners and etiquette for young children and also arranges tea parties at the Hotel Granduca. Melanie McPeak (713-840-7600) arranges tea parties at the St. Regis Hotel.