I love tea parties...And no I'm not five or ninety-two but I've always enjoyed a sweet afternoon tea. For the past three years, I've been collecting tea sets, china, and fancy napkins for throwing elaborate tea parties for my friends and family. Throwing tea parties is much like throwing a birthday party in the sense of planning, however they are slightly different. There’s no better way to socialize with good friends than with tea and snacks. Afternoon Tea, compared to a high or royal tea, is the most casual of all the tea parties. Here is my personal guide on how to throw a proper afternoon tea.

Step One: Deciding A Theme

Deciding a theme is essential for decorations, invitations, and themed snacks. I typically like to throw a floral or casual afternoon tea which includes colorful bouquets of seasonal flowers, finger sandwiches, buttermilk scones with jam, and small desserts but there is so much more you can do! Maybe a fourth of july theme with red, white, and blue accents or a garden afternoon tea with a sunhat and gloves dress-code? The possibilities are endless if you’re willing to get creative.

Step Two: Creating A Guest List

Now you have to choose who you’d like to invite to your tea. When choosing your guest list, just make sure you’re realistic with your numbers. Everyone should have their own tea cup and one of each snack. If you’re on a budget, try hosting a more intimate tea with four or less guests.

Step Three: Finding the Perfect Invitations

I’m super crafty so I like to create my own invitations. That normally includes a quick trip to my local craft store to grab some designer paper, colored pens, and pretty 3D stickers, however, if you’d like to get a bit more formal, there are plenty you can order online! I love to use Etsy.com for any formal invitations I need as they’re all handcrafted and customized to your liking. There’s a wide variety of invitation styles to choose from! If you’d like to make this real casual, you can also do a simple Facebook Event or email invite. Your afternoon tea will be successful as long as your guests arrive. Like planning any other party, you’ll need to give a time and venue on your invitation. Will you be going to a tea house, hosting in your home, or picnic-ing at a public garden? The choice is yours depending on your theme.

Step Four: Decorating

There are a few essentials for decorating a tea party…. Tea cups, pots, silverware, napkins, plates, tablecloth, and a centerpiece. You should choose china and napkins that fit your theme. For example, your theme is Pink-out, all of these materials should be a uniform shade or different shades of pink. Table runners can also be used if you have an accent table that would fit the theme. Your centerpiece should be something that fits the theme as well. A flower bouquet is classic and will certainly set the vibe. Napkins should never be throw away, paper napkins you can pick up at your grocery store, but rather washable, cloth napkins. Doilies are also a perfect addition to any tea party as they are pretty and feminine. I love to make or order banners for my tea parties. They’re simple to make and simple to order but they truly add some extra flair to the set up.

Step Five: The Playlist

All of these steps revolve around your theme. The playlist will either make or break your party. If it’s winter, maybe some holiday music. If you’re doing a classic royal tea theme, orchestration should fit perfectly! For my casual afternoon teas, I like to use the Michael Buble station on Pandora. It’s very relaxed and jazzy for tea time. You don’t want to put anything that will be distracting or ruin the vibe you are trying to give off for the tea.

Step Six: Enforcing the Dress Code

I like to have a strict dress code for all of my parties because that’s what makes them so fun! I love going to themed parties that give me something to prepare and look forward to (costume parties are my favorite!). Most of my teas require a sunday-best attire. I always make sure to encourage hats, gloves, pearls, and lace! Whichever you choose, just make sure it’s clear to your guests so no one shows up and feels out of place.

Step Seven: Types of Tea

You should always offer multiple types of tea and a non-tea option. My favorite non-tea drink to provide is lemonade or sweetened iced tea. That way if someone doesn’t like hot tea, they aren’t forced to drink it. Different flavors of tea can be bought at your local tea house or grocery store. The most basic would be a black tea, chamomile, and a special tea of your choice. I’ve used apple cinnamon, mango peach, and blueberry vanilla as my special teas in the past. You also have to remember to provide what you'd like to go along with the tea. Will you choose sugar, honey, or both? Milk, cream, or both?

Step Eight: Scones

Scones are required at every afternoon tea in my personal opinion. It’s not a tea party without them! I make my own plain scones and serve them with strawberry jam and clotted cream, but there are thousands of different combinations online. My favorite recipes are found on Pinterest.com. If you’re not a good chef or you’re too nervous to try something new, scones can be bought at your local bakery. They’ll also have different flavors available for you to bring to your tea! Blueberry is my favorite! Scones should be served with a jam of your choice and clotted cream. Clotted cream can be hard to make so you can always substitute with regular whipped cream if you aren’t feeling creative.

Step Nine: Savory Snacks

I typically like to choose finger sandwiches because they’re easy to make, yummy, and filling. When throwing a more formal event, I’ll make kobe meatballs, sushi rolls, or salads as well depending on the theme. Pinterest.com is my go-two when looking for finger sandwich recipes. Just make sure to always cut off the crusts!

Step Ten: Dessert

When at home, I normally only make one dessert and cut them into large pieces, however, when I’m out at my favorite tea room, they give four different finger desserts. It all depends on the amount of time, money, and effort you feel like putting into your tea. You can never go wrong with a simple brownie!

Some people like to include games or thank you cards but those aren’t exactly required. This guide is for a very basic, very casual afternoon tea. I hope you are inspired to host your first tea party! Play around with different themes and get creative!