The Menu
Sweet Treats: Sweets such as tea cakes and cookies are a must. For a lighter option, serve fresh berries and cream in a glass bowl that reveals the dessert's beautiful layers. To bring more color to the spread, make macaroons or cupcakes in pastel colors that match the tablescape for treats that look as good as they taste.
Savory Finger Foods: Popular tea sandwiches include cucumber and lemon butter, ham and brie, and crab salad. For a quintessential tea party aesthetic, trim the crusts and use cookie cutters or a paring knife to fashion sandwiches into simple geometric shapes. Savory baked goods such as bacon-cheddar scones, caramelized onion tartlets and plain biscuits should be accompanied by a variety of jams, butter and honey.
Plenty of Tea: While Earl Grey and English breakfast teas are traditional choices for tea parties, white, green and herbal blends are delicious options, too. Consider setting up a small buffet with a variety of loose leaf teas to allow guests to fill infusers with their own creations. Don’t forget to have lemon slices, sugar and milk on hand, and keep a tea kettle on the stove for a steady supply of hot water.
Setting Up
The tea party can take place in the dining room, living room or even in the garden. First, decide where you want to arrange the refreshments. A small sampling can sit directly on the dining or coffee table, but a larger selection is better suited to a sideboard or countertop. Then, select your serveware. Tiered servers are a natural fit, allowing you to arrange sweet, savory and finger sandwiches on different levels. To add modern flair, select a serving piece with an unexpected silhouette or eye-catching detailing. For instance, consider one with rectangular marble plates or an asymmetrical wood stand. Other offerings can be presented on pedestal cake stands and large platters.
Finishing Touches
No matter where you decide to host, enhance the ambiance with a gorgeous tablescape. On the coffee table or dining table, arrange a simple white tablecloth, porcelain dinnerware and decorative flatware for a timeless look. Let your treats take center stage, and create small centerpieces with fresh-cut flowers in short glass vases. Want to make it modern? Add dimension with a black table cloth, incorporate fun detail with gold flatware, introduce new silhouettes with square saucers and serve drinks in contemporary tea cups with metallic rims. For centerpieces, opt for potted succulents and grasses or colorful blends of tea in glass spice jars to add natural beauty with an unexpected twist.
After everything is put together, catch up with friends, enjoy the refreshments and relax. What are your favorite tea party ideas? Share them with us by using the hashtag #CrateStyle.
