Hosting a Tea Party

Hosting a tea party may seem like a lot of work, but it's actually easy.  It's all in the details, which are a snap when you know exactly what to do:

Each guest's place-setting should include their own individual teapot.  For a traditional tea experience, we recommend serving loose leaf tea.  However, it's perfectly fine if you prefer the convenience of teabags, especially with the many fine teas available in bag form.  For more information on the types of teas and how to make them, click here.

Keep extra hot water nearby to refill teapots, and have milk, sugar, honey, and thin lemon slices available on the table for guests to help themselves.

Most tea party foods can be pre-bought or assembled in advance, so all that's left to do right before your guests arrive is to lay the food out and boil the water.

Tea party food is generally comprised of three courses eaten in the following order:  savories (mini-quiche, sandwiches), scones (served with clotted/Devonshire/whipped cream), and desserts (cakes, petit fours, chocolates).  It is also common to serve some type of green salad or fruit salad prior to the savory course.  It's totally up to you.

You may serve your tea party food a) laid out buffet-style for guests to help themselves and bring back to their seats; b) in the traditional style, on 3 tiered trays placed throughout the dining table; or c) on separate platters set on the dining table, to be passed by guests to each other.  Do what works best for you.

Using cloth napkins adds extra elegance and is always a nice touch.  Feel free to use good quality paper napkins, though, if you don't have cloth ones or don't wish to deal with the extra laundry.  Either way, use the color or print of the napkins, and napkin rings, as part of your décor scheme.

For more help planning your tea party, please click on the sections to your right!