Afternoon Tea Party ideas

An Afternoon Tea Party is always open to your own interpretation. It could be a lavish, Formal affair or a more intimate and Casual gathering of friends.

You may like to set a theme for the occassion or you may simply love to share tea with your friends and set a table with gorgeous linen, fresh flowers in crystal vases and your Grandmother's pretty china.

The Afternoon Tea Party Setting
Incorporate your favourite things into the 'Tea Experience.'

You will need tea cups, saucers and teaspoons. Use your favourite China and don't worry if they're not matching. Sometimes the prettiest effect can be made by using gorgeous Teacup sets found in second hand shops. I love mixing florals, stripes and pastels.

Use your favourite Linen and Tea Linens & maybe even offer Cloth Napkins.

Use Teawares, Tableware & Servingware that define you.

Add vases of fresh flowers (I love tea and roses) to your tables or even single stems in interesting glasses.

Romantic nights
Create a sweetly romantic night time Tea Party and add candles or tealights for an added ambience.

Teas & accompaniments
Once you have your gorgeously decorated table & chinaware decided apon, set out any of the following of our ideas for your guests:

Assorted Teas
High quality Loose Leaf Teas - Black, Green, Oolong and Flavoured. An assortment of top quality Teabags.

Sugars
Various Sugars or sweeteners including Sugar Cubes, Demerara Sugar, Rock Sugar, White Sugar or even Sugar Swizzle Sticks. Other sweeteners can include Honey, Maple Syrup, Sugar Syrup and Molasses.

Milks
Adding Milk can be as simple as a dash to whiten or why not offer the following to take the tea experience to a whole new level - Sweetened Condensed Milk, Evaporated Milk, Coconut Milk, Whipped Cream or Pouring Cream.

Garnishes
Offer thinly sliced Lemons, Oranges or Limes. Wedges can also be used. Sliced or fanned Strawberries are sweet.

Spices
Use Cinnamon Sticks to add flavour or as actual stirrers for the teas. Fresh Mint Leaves, Cardomom Pods, Cloves, fresh or crystallized Ginger slices or whole Star Anise. Also offer ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg.

Afternoon Tea Party Food Ideas

You will probably be offering your guests finger foods to enjoy with their cups of tea, so here are some of our suggestions.

freshly Baked Scones
Nothing says 'Afternoon Tea' more than freshly baked Scones, straight from the oven.

Jams
Jams are so perfect for freshly baked Scones & Pikelets. Try Rosehip, Rose Petal, Strawberry, Lilac, Lavender, Violet or even Lemon Curd or Lemon Butter.

Creams
Clotted Cream, Whipped, Flavoured with Vanilla or even Chocolate flavoured cream for a decadant twist. Yum!

Butter
Little pats of Butter in gorgeous shapes, Butter Curls, Whipped or even Flavoured Butters are ideal.

Sandwiches
Tiny sandwiches cut into hearts, circles, anything but boring squares or triangles - use cookie cutters. Fill with the traditional Cucumber slices, Cold Meats, Savoury Spreads and baby Salad Ingredients.

Mini Treats
Make miniature everything, it's so adorable and kids will love it too. Little servings of delicious treats always look that extra special. Bake any of the following in mini size - muffins, cupcakes, lamingtons with pastel coloured icings, pikelets, petit fours, biscuits, scones, caramel and custard tarts.

Mini treats look so gorgeous served on a 2 or 3 tiered Cake Stand.