How to give a Halloween tea party.

October 30, 8:19 PMSan Jose Tea ExaminerElizabeth Urbach

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Halloween Cavern of Clipart.

Now that the weather has cooled down, hot tea is coming into its own as a comforting, soothing beverage. A seasonal Autumn tea party - or even a whimsical Halloween-themed one - is one of the best ways to entertain friends this time of year, and it can easily be scaled down to provide a respite for one person.

If an indoor party is called for, there are seasonal activities that you can plan, to occupy and entertain your guests: scrapbooking, knitting and crocheting, and Victorian projects like paper decoupage and cutting silhouettes. You can also rent classic mysteries by Agatha Christie, or even Carolyn Keene (creator of Nancy Drew) on DVD to watch while you enjoy your tea.

If the weather is right, you might want to make it a tea picnic and visit a local park, garden, or for a special Halloween ambiance, a cemetery! San Jose's Oak Hill Cemetery is an out-of-the-ordinary destination for a tea picnic, but it has an interesting Pioneer section featuring many early San Jose residents, and you can pick up an informational guide to the historic graves, at the chapel.

Whether your party is indoors or out, here are some menu suggestions:

Lavender Earl Grey tea
Lapsang Souchong tea
Chai or a spiced tea

Ginger Scones
Candied Orange Scones
Apple Butter
Apricot Oolong Compote
Butter
Kraft brand pumpkin pie flavor cream cheese

Squash soup, garnished with sour cream, fresh basil and cilantro
Savory black olive scones
Portobello Mushroom Puffs
Roast Beef and Roasted Red Pepper Tea Sandwiches
Carrot Ginger Tea Sandwiches
Sliced Granny Smith Apples and Cheddar

Chai Tea Cookies
Ghost-shaped sugar cookies
Spiced Peaches with Toasted Pound Cake
Pumpkin Custard
Apple Pie
Peeps Cocoa Bats, Cocoa Cats, Vanilla Ghosts and Orange Pumpkins

Many of these selections can be purchased ready-made, for your tea party pantry. For example, butternut squash soup can be purchased in cans and pour-spout boxes, portobello mushroom puffs can be found in the freezer section, and there are several scone mixes, including a nice Ginger flavored one from Santa Cruz company Iveta Gourmet. Apple butter, apricot preserves, spiced peaches, pound cake, and apple pie can all be found in the San Jose area. Seasonal products like pumpkin pie cream cheese and Peeps Cocoa Bats or Cocoa Cats are availabe at Walgreen's, Target and Wal-Mart this time of year. Just add a beautiful farmer's market bouquet of sunflowers or chrysanthemums to the table, and maybe some colorful dried (and cleaned) leaves, and you're ready to go!

Note: this article is copyrighted to the San Jose Tea Examiner.  If you would like to use, re-post or re-publish this article in whole or in part, you may do so if the following conditions are first met: you have my permission, you include an accurate byline and title, and you include an active link back to this page.  I can be reached at southbayladiesteaguild@yahoo.com.  Thanks!

For more info: San Jose’s Halloween articles
"What should I keep in the pantry for tea parties?"
“Review: Egg Nog black tea blend from The Necessiteas”
“Chai and how to make it.”
“Midnight Monster Munchies”
“10 pumpkin facts: fun trivia and nutritional information”

Other seasonal recipes:
Candy Corn Parfaits
Chocolate Spiders
Iveta Gourmet Ginger Scone Mix
“Slightly spooky savory black olive scones for Halloween”
“Cinnamon-raisin cream cheese bread pudding”
“Baked Pumpkin Custard”
“Pumpkin cookie recipe”

Gardens and parks in San Jose:
Oak Hill Cemetery, 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose 95125. Phone: 408-297-2447.
History Park at Kelley Park, 1650 Senter Rd., San Jose. Phone: 408-918-1040.
Japanese Friendship Garden at Kelley Park, 300 Senter Rd. at Alma, San Jose. Phone: (408) 277-2757.
Ardenwood Historic Farm , 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont, CA 94555. Phone: (510) 797-3161 or (510)636-1684. Entrance fee: $3 (may differ for special events); tour tickets (separate from entrance fee): Tues./Wed./Sat/ = $1.50, Thurs./Fri./Sun. = $5 adults/$4 seniors.
Heritage Rose Garden & Historic Orchard at Guadalupe River Park and Gardens, Spring & Heritage Streets, San Jose. Phone: (408) 298-7657