A Tea Party Alternative: Host a Coffee and Chocolate Party!

Tea parties and tea houses have encountered a renaissance in recent years. Tea parties give women a chance to relax and enjoy tasty teas and treats while enjoying the company of good friends. And perhaps tea parties call to mind childhood days of miniature tea pots and imaginary cakes and finger sandwiches.

Perhaps you have considered hosting a tea party for some of your girlfriends. But what if tea just isn't, well, your cup of tea? Try a coffee and chocolate party instead! Coffee and chocolate are two well-loved indulgences, so what better way to treat your friends than an afternoon filled with these two treats?

Start by setting the date (click here for a list of chocolate-related holidays) and then send out chocolate- and/or coffee-connected invites. One enticing invitation idea would be to create invitations on your computer that are the same size as a candy bar wrapper, enfold a bar of chocolate for each guest and hand them out. If email invites are more your style, click here for a cute, caffeinated free e-card that fills the bill.

Your next task will be creating a "menu" of sorts. Unlike a tea party, a coffee and chocolate party menu doesn't need to be broken down into courses. You will want to create a "coffee bar" (a card table or breakfast bar will work fine) and make the chocolate treats easily accessible.

For your coffee bar, your main concern is of course the coffee. You may want to borrow thermal carafes and set out a few pots of both regular and decaf. Another option would be to invest in (or borrow) a one cup coffee maker and buy a few different types of the "pods" that it uses so that each guest can make her own fresh, steaming cuppa joe. Alongside your coffee, set out containers of decadently flavored creamers in bowls of ice. You may wish to have a variety of flavored liqueurs available to guests as well. And if the weather is warm keep a fresh bowl of ice and a pot of cool coffee on hand for guests who prefer a refreshing iced coffee.

Your chocolate offering should include a combination of ultra-rich desserts as well as some not-as-sweet treats. Bite size finger foods piled high on whimsical trays will not only add a fun appearance to your coffee and chocolate party, but they'll be easier for your guests to sample and share as well. Cookies, brownies and chocolate candies are obvious choices, but don't stop there! Click here for some decadent chocolate cupcake recipes; pick up chocolate croissants and cream puffs from your favorite bakery; dip pretzels and potato chips in melted chocolate (the sweet and salty combo is divine!); and click here for a luscious chocolate cheesecake bite recipe.

Rather than setting out your fine china cups as you might for a tea party, scour thrift and dollar stores for fun, unusual coffee mugs, dessert plates and trays. Pile each tray with a selection of chocolate goodies, and scatter chocolate-covered coffee beans around your piles of treats for edible decorations. Place the trays of sweet, chocolaty treats at each table (or sections of one table) so that they can be sampled and passed around. Then enjoy the afternoon of coffee, chocolate and friends!