How to Host a Tea Party at Home
Not just the preserve of little girls playing ladies' dress-ups, tea parties appeal to many a grown-up. Here's how to host one at home
Susan Redman
21 July 2015
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff; writer, author, dreamer.
Once an quaint custom for English gentry, mad hatters and balmy vicars, tea parties are now popular with people across all classes of society. They are particularly beloved by blue-haired ladies, who like to sip their tea with pinky fingers stuck up in the air – think Hyacinth Bucket (boo-cay) from BBC series Keeping Up Appearances and Kath Day Night of the ABC’s own Kath & Kim production. Tea parties also present a particularly delightful opportunity for little girls to play hostess to a select group of teddies and dolls, invite-only of course.
And while little girls adore tea parties, it’s not uncommon for big girls to do so, too. In fact, there’s been quite a revival in recent years of this female bonding tradition – as indicated by the number of bright young things who flock to swank hotel restaurants for a taste of nostalgia in taking high tea. So how do you plan a tea party with panache? Read on for tips on how to stylishly host this most genteel of all soirees.
And while little girls adore tea parties, it’s not uncommon for big girls to do so, too. In fact, there’s been quite a revival in recent years of this female bonding tradition – as indicated by the number of bright young things who flock to swank hotel restaurants for a taste of nostalgia in taking high tea. So how do you plan a tea party with panache? Read on for tips on how to stylishly host this most genteel of all soirees.
Set the scene
Let’s face it; we all love a tea party. It’s a fun, brightly coloured occasion laid out on tables set with pretty porcelain and festooned with flowers. Assemble a table and chairs in a wooden glen or somewhere that evokes the quaintness of a country cottage garden. If that’s not possible, opt for a creative contrivance – hang a piece of colourful fabric, a wallhanging with a floral motif, or a paisley-patterned wallpaper drop from a tree branch. It’s a trick of the eye that is guaranteed to transport you way down the rabbit hole!
Let’s face it; we all love a tea party. It’s a fun, brightly coloured occasion laid out on tables set with pretty porcelain and festooned with flowers. Assemble a table and chairs in a wooden glen or somewhere that evokes the quaintness of a country cottage garden. If that’s not possible, opt for a creative contrivance – hang a piece of colourful fabric, a wallhanging with a floral motif, or a paisley-patterned wallpaper drop from a tree branch. It’s a trick of the eye that is guaranteed to transport you way down the rabbit hole!
Decorate with love
A formal high tea requires elegant china cups, silver teapots and Victorian lace, but if chipped china is more your thing, opt for an informal country garden tea outdoors with highly patterned, pastel tableware and linen. Mismatching is welcomed and anything borrowed from Granny’s china cabinet and kitchen cupboards will look right in place. As for your own party garb, charm your guests with seriously eccentric attire or a colourful apron. It will set a buoyant mood when greeting them on arrival.
Striking dining table settings
A formal high tea requires elegant china cups, silver teapots and Victorian lace, but if chipped china is more your thing, opt for an informal country garden tea outdoors with highly patterned, pastel tableware and linen. Mismatching is welcomed and anything borrowed from Granny’s china cabinet and kitchen cupboards will look right in place. As for your own party garb, charm your guests with seriously eccentric attire or a colourful apron. It will set a buoyant mood when greeting them on arrival.
Striking dining table settings
Establish an elegant atmosphere
Imagine your table as a canvas on which you’ll create an ode to the bonhomie enjoyed by good friends everywhere. To keep the mood casual, avoid any thought of formality in your table settings but do add charming details – a small knife, a dainty fork and a lovely teaspoon placed around a pretty plate is sufficient. And don’t be too concerned about whether you have all the right accessories at hand. As a general rule of thumb include the following: china, utensils, silverware, napkins, serving platters, tea strainers, centrepieces, name cards, flowers and candles.
Imagine your table as a canvas on which you’ll create an ode to the bonhomie enjoyed by good friends everywhere. To keep the mood casual, avoid any thought of formality in your table settings but do add charming details – a small knife, a dainty fork and a lovely teaspoon placed around a pretty plate is sufficient. And don’t be too concerned about whether you have all the right accessories at hand. As a general rule of thumb include the following: china, utensils, silverware, napkins, serving platters, tea strainers, centrepieces, name cards, flowers and candles.
Bring out your best china
(and not so good china)
If for nothing else, a tea party provides an excellent opportunity to use, not just display, your finest porcelain and prettiest plates. If you don’t own any or are on a tight budget, scour op shops for colourful mismatched cups and saucers for a fun twist on the tradition. Use crocheted tea-cosies on a plain vintage pot or, for the serious tea connoisseur brew your teas in double spout pots. Display antique sterling silver tea strainers or teaspoons, cake servers and dessert forks. And don’t worry if they are a little tarnished – it’s all about creating an atmosphere.
(and not so good china)
If for nothing else, a tea party provides an excellent opportunity to use, not just display, your finest porcelain and prettiest plates. If you don’t own any or are on a tight budget, scour op shops for colourful mismatched cups and saucers for a fun twist on the tradition. Use crocheted tea-cosies on a plain vintage pot or, for the serious tea connoisseur brew your teas in double spout pots. Display antique sterling silver tea strainers or teaspoons, cake servers and dessert forks. And don’t worry if they are a little tarnished – it’s all about creating an atmosphere.
Serve savoury treats
Traditionally a high tea sandwich is a two-bite affair. Preparing these tasty treats requires minimal effort but must be done close to the time guests arrive lest you serve them soggy. Fill your home-made sammies with smoked salmon and cream cheese or poached chicken and dill mayonnaise. Arrange them on silver, floral or willow-patterned serving trays. Scrumptious.
Traditionally a high tea sandwich is a two-bite affair. Preparing these tasty treats requires minimal effort but must be done close to the time guests arrive lest you serve them soggy. Fill your home-made sammies with smoked salmon and cream cheese or poached chicken and dill mayonnaise. Arrange them on silver, floral or willow-patterned serving trays. Scrumptious.
Delight your guests with sweeties
Who could resist all those candy colours and tasty sweets that characterise a tea party? Place an array of high couture little cupcakes on a tiered cake stand and offer other sugary delights as well. At a traditional high tea you would also find fresh-baked scones with jam and clotted cream as well as biscuits, petits fours and pastries.
Who could resist all those candy colours and tasty sweets that characterise a tea party? Place an array of high couture little cupcakes on a tiered cake stand and offer other sugary delights as well. At a traditional high tea you would also find fresh-baked scones with jam and clotted cream as well as biscuits, petits fours and pastries.
Polish the silver
Bring back the refinement of a traditional Victorian afternoon tea soiree with a sterling silver tea set. Pots of tea, hot water, sugar and milk complete most sets and there is usually a serving tray, too. Supply a variety of tea – peppermint, camomile, Orange Pekoe, herbal and, of course, Earl Grey and English Breakfast. Place a bunch of fresh herbs and citrus slices on the table for guests to customise their cuppas. Keep the fruit fresh by covering with a glass bell. A glass of champagne on arrival will usually be well-received but you could also make up a refreshing ice tea with a splash of Pimm’s if the weather is especially warm.
The hippest teapots on Houzz
Bring back the refinement of a traditional Victorian afternoon tea soiree with a sterling silver tea set. Pots of tea, hot water, sugar and milk complete most sets and there is usually a serving tray, too. Supply a variety of tea – peppermint, camomile, Orange Pekoe, herbal and, of course, Earl Grey and English Breakfast. Place a bunch of fresh herbs and citrus slices on the table for guests to customise their cuppas. Keep the fruit fresh by covering with a glass bell. A glass of champagne on arrival will usually be well-received but you could also make up a refreshing ice tea with a splash of Pimm’s if the weather is especially warm.
The hippest teapots on Houzz
Arrange some flowers
Choose flowers with heads in full bloom, such as rose, camellia and peony, and pop them into small vases grouped into a centrepiece. The aim here is to keep the floral displays a welcome focus but not be so profuse or heavy as to ‘drop’ petals on food or in tea. Another cute idea is to take advantage of any unused crockery, for example, sugar bowls and milk jugs, and use them as vases. Coloured glass bottles will also double as vases and are especially pretty when caught by a beam of afternoon sunlight.
Choose flowers with heads in full bloom, such as rose, camellia and peony, and pop them into small vases grouped into a centrepiece. The aim here is to keep the floral displays a welcome focus but not be so profuse or heavy as to ‘drop’ petals on food or in tea. Another cute idea is to take advantage of any unused crockery, for example, sugar bowls and milk jugs, and use them as vases. Coloured glass bottles will also double as vases and are especially pretty when caught by a beam of afternoon sunlight.
Light your party
Once the table has been set, the decorating done and the treats prepared, make sure your table is placed in the right position for whatever season you are in. Move it under an arbour if it’s hot, out into the sun if cold, behind a natural windbreak if there’s a strong breeze. To light the scene, an overhead candelabra with candles is a pretty addition but you could achieve the same look with fairy lights or paper lanterns.
Once the table has been set, the decorating done and the treats prepared, make sure your table is placed in the right position for whatever season you are in. Move it under an arbour if it’s hot, out into the sun if cold, behind a natural windbreak if there’s a strong breeze. To light the scene, an overhead candelabra with candles is a pretty addition but you could achieve the same look with fairy lights or paper lanterns.
Don’t forget to tell a riddle
Make up your own or perhaps guess at an answer to the most famous, but unanswerable, fantasy riddle in literature:
Mad Hatter: “Why is a raven like a writing desk?”
Alice: “I think you might do something better with the time than wasting it in asking riddles that have no answers.”
TELL US
Have you ever been to or hosted a tea party? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share your tips for a gorgeous table setting or tasty treats in the Comments section.
MORE
10 Dinner Party Dos and Don’ts for Guests and Hosts
17 Effortless DIY Ideas for Carefree Summer Parties
13 Dinner Party Deco Ideas for Out-to-Impress Hostesses
Make up your own or perhaps guess at an answer to the most famous, but unanswerable, fantasy riddle in literature:
Mad Hatter: “Why is a raven like a writing desk?”
Alice: “I think you might do something better with the time than wasting it in asking riddles that have no answers.”
TELL US
Have you ever been to or hosted a tea party? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share your tips for a gorgeous table setting or tasty treats in the Comments section.
MORE
10 Dinner Party Dos and Don’ts for Guests and Hosts
17 Effortless DIY Ideas for Carefree Summer Parties
13 Dinner Party Deco Ideas for Out-to-Impress Hostesses
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There are four of us that take an Autumn trip somewhere in our state every year. Last year, we took the Aufderheide Scenic Byway just east of Eugene, OR. We planned this lovely tea party under the umbrella of old firs and other trees in a horse camp along the route. You see, some of us had wine but we all enjoyed a hot cup of tea, candles, a picnic, sweets and little drizzles as we laughed and loved this moment together. One friend brought her grandmother's Chintz to share so it made our tea party in the woods even more special. http://whitebreadandjam.blogspot.com/2014/10/chasing-autumn-in-oregon-portland.html
We hosted a wedding shower for my DIL 2 years ago....and made it an outdoor tea party. I feel like it was the party I was born to throw! I blogged about it here: http://thevelvetlemon.blogspot.ca/2013/04/so-many-pretty-things-and-bridal-shower.html