Afternoon tea parties are not just for the leisured class. Working moms, college girls, retired grandmothers and even their special men can all enjoy time out for tea. Tea parties have become popular for bridal showers, sorority reunions, welcoming new neighbors, and regular gatherings of old friends.
What is afternoon tea?
The Tea Association of Canada explains that the ritual of hosting an afternoon tea party began with one of Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting in the 19th century. Anna, Duchess of Bedford, needed a remedy for her empty stomach in the long period between a light luncheon and a late dinner. She gathered friends for hot tea, small tea sandwiches and sweets. Thus, the English tea party was invented.
The tradition continues until this day. English tea is usually served between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. in homes, specialty tea shops, and in restaurants such as those in Harrods in London, the Fairmont Hotels in North America, and the Observatory Hotel in Sydney.
Who are the guests for an afternoon tea party?
A tea party is traditionally a small, intimate gathering of close family and friends, usually no more than eight to ten people. By keeping the numbers low, there is opportunity for informal chatting without the strain of meeting new people and searching for topics in common. However, if a larger group already knows each other, and the setting can accommodate the numbers, then it will work.
Men are certainly welcome at tea parties but often prefer a more robust menu of both food and beverage.
What kind of invitations to use for a tea party?
If this is a special, one-time event, it would be lovely to actually mail invitations that are handwritten on cream-colored parchment note cards.
An informal email or phone call is sufficient if it is a regular gathering of the same group.
What is a perfect afternoon tea menu?
The key words for the food at an afternoon tea party are "dainty" and "tasty." A traditional English tea includes a selection of tea sandwiches, scones and pastries. Here are some ideas for this preparing an afternoon tea menu:
- Tiny tea sandwiches with various combinations of cucumber, watercress, smoked salmon, truffled egg, minted yogurt, curried chicken, mushroom paté, and the inevitable egg are appropriate.
- Raisin scones served with strawberry jam and clotted cream are particularly popular for afternoon tea.
- Pastries, such as fresh fruit tartlets, tiny éclairs, and mini cheesecakes, are nice.
- A selection of teas from Earl Grey, jasmine and peppermint, to the newly-popular white teas. A choice of delicate, fruity and smoky flavours will please everyone. Make sure tea is brewed properly. It should be made with water just on the boil, poured over the tea in a warmed pot, and then steeped for 1-8 minutes, depending on the type.
Are decorations important for afternoon tea?
There are no particular decorations needed for afternoon tea. However, here are a few suggestions for creating an elegant décor and inviting atmosphere:
- Use the finest bone china and the most sumptuous of linens in the cupboard. The cups and saucers do not have to match. In fact, it is the perfect time to use those beautiful teacups given as gifts or passed down from the women in the family. This kind of collection will lend itself to storytelling in a lull in the conversation.
- Use either a highly polished silver tea set on its silver tray or a large china pot, probably matching the fine china.
- The teapot is accompanied by a creamer, milk pot, sugar pot with silver tongs and silver teaspoons.
- A low bowl of fresh flowers on the tea table adds a finishing touch to the perfect afternoon tea party.
The perfect afternoon tea party.
Follow the above suggestions in order to host the perfect afternoon tea party. The guests will be convivial, and the invitations, food, and décor will be memorable. Above all, though, the actual tea will make it worthwhile for everyone.
Constance Woloschuk - 30 years experience in management and organizational development; extensive volunteer work with faith-based organizations.
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