Gypsy Tea Party

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Zhena held her first Gypsy Tea Party in 2000, in her friend Meg's Ojai art gallery. Her belly dancing instructor came and performed, while the attendees sipped tea and had their palms read. Zhena found that her traditional Gypsy heritage honored women's bodies through the form of dance; while the tradition of palm reading honored the women's natural intuition and innate mysticism.

Her first Gypsy Tea Party was a success, as it was a forum for women to come together, sip tea, laugh, tell stories and learn about how to live a more passionate life.

How to throw your own Gypsy Tea Party

When throwing your Gypsy Tea Party, make sure to add a personal flare that makes it your own. Celebrating the Gypsy spirit means finding your own way to celebrate life and inspiring others to do the same.

The décor

Use your imagination and nature as inspiration. The more colorful the party, the better. Use paper lanterns, holiday lights, colorful dishes, flowers and whatever else you have. You can spend a lot or a little. Gypsies tended to use whatever was on hand.

The food

Of course be sure to have plenty of tea on hand. We prefer organic fare - fruits, vegetables, and if you care to indulge, a few sweets. Try our recipes for a special Gypsy Tea experience.

Dress like a Gypsy

Anything colorful goes! A flowered skirt, scarves for your waist and hair, jewelry you’ve forgotten about can become a hair piece or belt when you re-examine it for new and imaginative uses. Remember, sparkles are a gateway to the gypsy world. Anything bright will do.

The Music

Anything that gets you moving will do!

Dance

Get up and dance. Hire a belly dancer, throw a belly dancing dvd in or just get up and let the music guide you.