There is nothing quite like an afternoon tea in the comfort of your own home. An Afternoon Tea is a quintessentially British tradition, and can be fun for the whole family, or socially with friends and neighbours.
The weather is looking up and the evenings are getting longer and you can now welcome people back into your home again. Summer is the perfect time to gather your friends and family together to enjoy some sweet treats, warm drinks and even a little champagne, but if you’re stuck for inspiration, here’s a guide to help you host the best tea party at home!
Afternoon tea was introduced in England by Anna Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in the year 1840. It is said that the Duchess would become hungry around four o’clock in the afternoon and the Duchess asked that a tray of tea, bread and butter and cake be brought to her room during the late afternoon. This became a habit of hers and she began inviting friends to join her. This soon became a fashionable social event, and during the 1880’s upper-class and society women would change into long, elegant gowns, gloves and their finest hats for their afternoon tea which was usually served in the drawing room between four and five o’clock.
The traditional afternoon tea consists of a selection of dainty sandwiches, fresh scones served with thick clotted cream and fruity preserves, alongside delicate cakes and other sweet treats and tea grown in India or Ceylon is poured from silver tea pots into fancy bone china cups.
However, nowadays, you don’t have to go traditional to have a fabulous tea party. An Afternoon Tea prepared at home can consist of pretty much anything you’d like! From indulgent, homemade cakes to fluffy scones. You can try sweet pastries, biscuits, small savouries, macaroons, muffins…….the only limit is your imagination!
The most important part of any Afternoon Tea is the stand on which you’ll be presenting your treats. A beautiful cake stand is a great talking point for your guests and can really enhance your culinary delights, as well as suit any theme you might want. Whether you want something footed, two-tier or three-tier, you’re going to need something fabulous to serve your cakes and other sweet and savoury treats on. At Cake Stands, we have a wide selection of stunning, simple and elegant cake stands to choose from.
For a simple yet beautiful cake stand with muted colours, try the Peter Rabbit Classic Cake Stand, which is perfect for baby showers, engagement parties and birthdays. If you have a cake you’d like to show off, why not try the Maxwell & Williams Tea’s & C’s Cake Stand, which is adorned with a beautiful floral print, making it perfect for a summer tea party.
If you’re looking for a traditional cake stand, shop the Kew Gardens Lavender Cake Stand. With its pale teal and whimsical lilac colour scheme, this cake stand is simple yet effective with its understated elegance and would be wonderful for small gatherings.
If flowers and pastel colours aren’t for you, why not try something a little edgier with the Artesa Appetiser Slate 3 Tier Serving Stand. With its round edges, cool, natural slate tiers and futuristic look, this cake stand would suit any modern afternoon tea and would look fantastic with savoury pastries, seeded bread and colourful treats.
Once you have selected a theme and your main cake stand, you can’t forget about the details! From cutlery to cake slicers, these items are crucial for setting the scene.
If you’re going for a more whimsical Afternoon Tea, shop the Victoria And Albert Alice In Wonderland Set Of 4 Side Plates. Beautifully made of fine china, this set of four plates is illustrated with various scenes from the original Alice In Wonderland book and are sure to charm your guests - we also stock the matching teapot! If you’re sticking with a more traditional theme, then serve up your treats on china sets, floral plates or even matching cutlery.
It's time to upgrade your cutlery! If you want to wow your guests with your theme, from ultra-modern, traditional, or even Alice In Wonderland, then you need matching teaspoons. If you’re hosting Afternoon Tea in your garden, the Katie Alice English Garden Set Of 4 Teaspoons will match perfectly with any floral arrangements or bone china or if you’re looking for a more themed set, try the Victoria And Albert Alice In Wonderland Set Of 4 Pastry Forks which are beautifully made from stainless steel with patterned porcelain handles. If you’re feeling extra fancy, invest in some stylish pastry forks.
For a fun and unique way to cut your cake, shop the Creative Tops “Eat More Cake” Slicer. This slice is beautifully crafted in stoneware in gorgeous tones of ivory and black to suit modern and traditional themes. If you’re hosting your Afternoon Tea in a garden or conservatory, why not try a floral themed cake slice, such as the Vintage Floral Melamine & Gingham Cake Slice? This fun and eye-catching slice will look perfect among flower arrangements or with fancy, brightly coloured cups and plates.
Finishing touches are the perfect way to personalize your tea parties. From fun, colourful cupcake cases to cake toppers and birthday balloons. Don’t forget to light some candles or hang some twinkling fairy lights, play some smooth jazz or classical music to add to the ambience and you can even ask your guests to wear a fancy hat! Anything goes when it comes to Afternoon Tea at home, so why not make it an unforgettable experience?
Afternoon Tea is a fun and enchanting way to celebrate any occasion. From baby showers and engagement parties to birthdays and even special anniversaries, you can create a fabulous event right from the comfort of your own home for all ages to enjoy
https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Afternoon-Tea/
https://www.lucypittaway.co.uk/blog/2019/08/how-to-host-the-perfect-afternoon-tea-party/
