Girl party: need to throw a bridal or baby shower? Or fuss over a great mom? Stop right here

What with all the christenings, baby showers, wedding parties and (oops ... don't forget this one!) Mother's Day celebrations coming up, May's the perfect month to break out the "good" dishes, put a pretty cloth on the table and throw a tea party.

Once the stage is set around the table or in the garden, the rest of your party-day prep is a breeze since everything except the tea can be made ahead. And, if a few toddlers are on the guest list, making the party kid-friendly is as easy as adding a stack of PB&J finger sandwiches and a pitcher of pink lemonade.

Then there's the tea. While it's good to provide standards like delicate Darjeeling and fragrant Earl Grey, you can also turn the occasion into a mini tea-tasting, and let guests discover some of the wow-worthy varieties out there. Offer a traditional black tea (VT pick: Meru Tea Ceylon or Assam), a fruit-flavored tea (VT pick: Celestial Seasonings Bali Black Raspberry), a green tea (VT pick: Numi Temple of Heaven Gunpowder Green Tea) and a spicy-flavored tea (VT pick: Tazo Chai, Yogi Cocoa Spice or Vanilla Hazelnut). Should the day be seasonably warm, brew at least one tea ahead, and serve it over ice.

The following menu is perfect for sipping and nibbling away the afternoon--and who knows? The Alice in Wonderland-like feel of the occasion may encourage guests to play a game of tea-party croquet!

a proper pot

These simple rules guarantee a great pot of tea every time.

1. Always start with fresh, cold water. Hot tap water tends to have mineral deposits that can alter the taste of the tea, and previously boiled water has less oxygen, which can make the tea taste flat.

2. Warm the pot. Fill the teapot 1/3 of the way full with hot water, and let it stand at least 1 minute before emptying it and brewing the tea. Preheating the pot helps the water stay hot while the tea steeps, so the leaves open fully and release more flavor.

3. Add a little extra. For every cup you're making, put one teabag or one heaping teaspoon of loose leaves into the teapot--and then add one more "for the pot." It strengthens the tea flavor and speeds the steeping process.

4. Steep well. Allow the tea to steep 3-6 minutes; longer equals stronger (don't exceed 6 minutes, or the tea may become bitter). If using loose tea, swirl the pot before serving, and pour the tea through a strainer into cups.