Towering plates of scones, sandwiches and cakes with hot tea to wash it all down – afternoon tea is a real treat for guests and surprisingly easy for hosts.
Afternoon tea has been around since the Victorian era, according to The British Museum!
If you’re planning an afternoon tea for a special occasion, a get-together with friends or a children’s birthday party, read on for our top tips on how to host an afternoon tea party.
Prepare your Decor
You may well associate afternoon tea with a quintessential British summer’s day. Pastel-coloured bunting, bunches of fresh flowers and colourful china are all delightful ways to decorate your dining area.
Each guest will require a plate, a cup and saucer for their tea, cutlery and a napkin. You may opt for all white crockery or add a splash of colour using brightly coloured plates. Cutlery should be placed on each side of the plate, and don’t forget a flute for each adult guest if you’ll be serving prosecco.
Tasty Treats
Now it’s time to start preparing some delicacies. You can save time by ordering an afternoon tea box delivery thanks to specialists such as www.afternoonteabox.com/, where each piece of the afternoon tea is delivered straight to your door.
Sandwiches can be simple. Smoked salmon, ploughman’s or ham sandwiches always go down well. Bread should be as fresh as possible and cut into finger slices or triangles.
Next, you can go all out on your tasty cake bites. Popular choices include lemon drizzle, chocolate and Victoria sponge. Alternatively, you can opt for a quirkier recipe such as a rhubarb and custard cake!
Lastly, scones – arguably the best bit of all. You might think that scones would be tricky to make, but they’re surprisingly easy and can be prepared in under twenty minutes. Try to make them shortly before your guests arrive so they retain that warm freshness.
Finally, relax and enjoy. Pour yourself a piping hot cup of tea and enjoy an afternoon of good food and laughter.
