How to Plan the Perfect Afternoon Tea Party
1st
One Week Before
- Send invitations specifying the date, time (traditionally 3-5 PM), and dress code
- Plan your menu, including at least three tea options and traditional three-tier food offerings
- Take inventory of teapots, cups, saucers, and serving dishes
2nd
Three Days Before
- Prepare shopping lists for perishable and non-perishable items
- Confirm attendance and dietary restrictions
- Create a timeline for food preparation
3rd
Day Before
- Prepare foods that can be made ahead (cookie dough, fillings for sandwiches)
- Set your table with linens, silverware, and teaware
- Create floral arrangements and other decorative elements
4th
Day of the Party
- Brew first pot of tea 15 minutes before guests arrive
- Assemble sandwiches no more than two hours before serving
- Arrange food on serving platters just before guests arrive
5th
Serving Order
- Bottom tier: Savory items (finger sandwiches, savory tarts)
- Middle tier: Scones served with clotted cream and jam
- Top tier: Sweet treats (petit fours, macarons, tiny tarts)
Tea Etiquette
Dos and Don'ts
Dos
- Hold your teacup by pinching the handle with your thumb and index finger, supporting with your middle finger
- Add milk after pouring tea for a proper English tea service
- Place your spoon on the saucer after stirring, never leave it in the cup
- Break scones with your hands rather than cutting with a knife
- Take small bites of food and sip tea quietly
Don'ts
- Never raise your pinky finger while drinking; it's considered affected
- Avoid slurping or blowing on hot tea
- Never dip food into your tea
- Refrain from stirring in circular motions that may chip the cup; instead, move spoon back and forth gently
- Don't add milk to white, green, or herbal teas
Tea Games
Fun Ideas for Your Guests
Tea Tasting Challenge
Serve small portions of various teas with identifying markers hidden underneath. Have guests taste each and guess the varieties. Award prizes for the most correct identifications.
Tea Trivia
Create cards with tea facts and questions. Divide guests into teams to compete for the title of "Tea Master."
Tea Bag Toss
Set teacups at varying distances. Award points based on successfully tossing tea bags into cups of different sizes.
Tea Word Scramble
Create anagrams of tea-related words (DARJEELING, CHAMOMILE, INFUSER) and challenge guests to unscramble them within a time limit.
Tea Fortune Telling
Provide guidelines for reading tea leaves and allow guests to interpret each other's tea leaf patterns at the bottom of cups.