Everything You Need to Know to Throw a Fun and Fancy Tea Party
- Gabrielle Cosco
- Aug 30, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 30, 2021
Traditionally, tea time is a light meal typically eaten between 3:30 pm and 5 pm. The custom of having tea time, originated amongst the wealthy social class in England around the 1840s, as the time of dinner moved back later and later. So essentially, the high class wanted to nosh before dins and created a tea time because they were peckish.
Nowadays, a formal afternoon tea is more of a special occasion or a treat in hotels that offer it. The food is often served on tiered stands that feature small sandwiches, desserts, breads or scones accompanied with butter and jam, toast, muffins or crumpets.
Where to Start?
When throwing your own tea, you don't have to go as high class as the hotels like the Ritz, in London. Tea time can be anytime you share with family and friends, gathering over a nice cup of tea, tiny sandwiches, little desserts and yummy fresh squeezed lemonade. In North Western Ontario, Canada we have a tea season (Oct. - Dec.), for various occasions, but mostly as church fundraisers and we do things a bit differently and a lot more laissez faire up here. So, gather your best dames and favourite little duchesses, as well as, any dukes and little dudes that may want to attend tea time. Here is everything you will need to throw your own tea party any time you like.
Theme
A theme is a great place to start when planning your tea. A theme can not only help you come up with decor ideas it can also help you with menu ideas. For example, if your theme is high tea, you can get everyone to dress in their best afternoon dresses, gloves, pearls, and hats and get as many 3 tiered trays as you can and start prepping gourmet tiny sandwiches such as the ones in the recipes provided below.
In terms of theme ideas, though, the floor is wide open.
You can try the ever popular "Alice in Wonderland" theme, a Cinderella theme, or even an enchanted forest theme.
Special occasions, holidays and seasons make great themes for teas. You can't go wrong with a spring or easter theme (if you have one in the springtime), a back to school theme for the kids. A Halloween theme could really be fun to play with. The desserts could all be creepy themed, like witches fingers and such.
Teas are also a great idea for showers (bridal or baby), birthday parties and a great way to honour a friend or an elder in your life, such as a grandmother or auntie.
Themes can also be based on a colour, such as all white or pink and purple. You can also choose a flower as a theme such as baby's breath or roses.
Get creative and pick a theme that really inspires you.
For more ideas on themes and decor check out my Pinterest Board: Tea Party Ideas
The Venue
Once you have a theme, you can work on a venue. Your venue can be anywhere really, if just depends on your guest list and how many people you plan to host.
For smaller teas, you can use your dining room or backyard space, depending on the season and time of year.
For larger teas, you may want to book a local hall or church basement. You can also use outdoor spaces such as a provincial park space or local green space. If you are going with a larger tea and an outdoor space for your venue, renting a tent might be a good idea in case of rainy weather.
The Decor
In terms of decor there are a variety of things you will need. The essentials for a tea party (besides the tea) are, of course, the dishes. You will need three tiered trays, cake stands, luncheon plates, dessert plates, silverware, tea spoons, tea pots, and tea cups.
Seating
Depending on how large the tea party you are planning you may or may not need to decide on seating and your layout for seating. You can do family style dining with long tables or use smaller round tables. Smaller round tables are more traditional. Longer tables allow for more people at a table and are a more casual, family style route to take.
The Menu
The menu for a tea is one of the most important parts of the tea. You will need, tea, of course, sweeteners for the tea, such as honey, sugar or agave, alternative beverages to tea, such as lemonade or juice, a variety of desserts, a variety of sandwiches and breads, jams, butter and if you choose, pickles, preserves and olives.
Tea
Traditionally a black tea is served at high tea, such as earl grey or orange pekoe. Both are pretty versatile and allow for dairy free options to be added without the flavour being compromised too much. Of course, you can always mix it up and offer a chai tea or some sweet tea recipes if it is a hot day and your venue is outdoors.
Sandwiches
Tea sandwiches are the best type of sandwiches because they are small sandwiches in amazing flavours and combinations. They can be cut up into thin strips or triangles and usually have the crusts removed.
A favourite among tea goers is tuna salad, smoked salmon or salmon salad, egg salad, chicken salad, and any combo for those in a double decker version. Cream cheese and cucumber is a classic combo and combinations such as cheese whiz and olive, cream cheese and cherry or jelly can be done up pinwheel style as a fun added treat for the kiddos.
There are a lot of ways you can get creative with your tea sandwich combinations. You can try different cut outs using fun cookie cutter shapes and layer up all kinds of unique ingredients to add in some new and interesting flavours.
Here are some tea sandwich recipes to try:
Desserts
Desserts are the best part of tea time. Their small, one-bite size allows you to try every little delight on the tray. You can indulge in desserts such as, short cakes, fruit tarts, shortbread cookies, macarons, scones, lemon bars, crumpets and more.
The field is wide open when it comes to dessert options to serve at your tea time. Keeping it light and fruity though, is closer to tradition.
Here are some great recipes to try:
Lemonade
Tea time is great fun for the little ones, so it is a good idea to have some juice and some non-caffeinated options for the little ones. My family always goes with a lemonade. It's refreshing and easy to find and make from scratch, if you choose. Also, don't forget to let the little ones have their own tea cups, even if they are filled with lemonade it is a great novelty from them to be drinking from a tea cup, too.
Lastly
When throwing a tea the most important part is the guest list, because really it is about spending time with family, friends and community.
So whether you are throwing a big fundraiser tea or a small tea for your family and friends in your backyard, enjoy the time spent over a cup of warm cup of tea, tiny sandwiches and desserts and be sure to give out some hugs.
Have you thrown a tea party recently? Share some tips...
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