Afternoon tea is something that many of us associate with elegance, class, fun, and dainty teacups. But it is often only seen in fairy tale stories being enjoyed by otherworldly characters. Why shouldn’t we enjoy afternoon tea on a sunny afternoon for ourselves?
The perfect place for an afternoon tea is at the beach, in the forest, or by the pool. You can take your time to sip on delicious tea while enjoying the beautiful scenery around you. If you are looking for some tips on how to host the perfect afternoon tea for your friends or family, then this guide is for you.
These are some useful tips that can help you plan the perfect afternoon tea for you. If you want to find out more about afternoon tea, make sure to check this out for more information.
Choose A Theme
If you want an excuse to wear a dainty dress which you got from a second-hand store years ago, why not dress like fairies and sip from tiny cups? Set a theme and plan an appropriate dress code which would go well with it.
You could get your guests involved and ask for inspiration or ways that you can prepare the snacks according to your theme. Everybody can dress in accordance to this, and you can have fun creating unique drinks and desserts which fit with it.
The great thing about this is that it can be as detailed as you like. For example, if you want to create a tropical themed afternoon tea, then you could try to integrate coconut milk and pineapple juice into the menu, as well as fresh mint leave. You can also give each of your guests a lei when they arrive for a finishing touch.
Indoors Or Outdoors?
Consider the weather ahead of time and make sure you have a backup plan if you want to have your afternoon tea outdoors. This can avoid your afternoon tea from getting rained out, while still allowing you to enjoy the company of your guests.
Consider setting up a picnic indoors on a rug, or on a long dinner table if somebody has one. If you know that the weather isn’t looking good, then another idea is to rent out a mansion or old castle and set up your afternoon tea there. It could be an exciting adventure with your friends.
Plan Entertainment
Because afternoon tea is widely considered classy and sophisticated, you should try to find a form of entertainment which complements your style and the overall atmosphere which you want to create.
Some friendly competition could be encouraged with a scavenger hunt, card games, or a quiz. Other forms of entertainment for the more extravagant afternoon tea could be an acoustic band.
Prepare Finger Food
The key to most afternoon teas is the presentation. Arranging small sandwiches shaped like triangles and tiny cakes onto a tiered stand seems a little impractical, but it will definitely complete the afternoon tea experience for many.
Plan ahead if you can, and consider getting small sandwiches with all of your guests’ favorite fillings in. That way, they will feel heard and like you know what you are doing. Of course, you can make each person a custom arrangement with food, or stick to the basics and encourage everybody to choose for themselves.
If you are planning to serve a traditional afternoon tea, then stick to classic recipes such as scones and finger sandwiches. You can also choose to serve a buffet style afternoon tea, where you provide all the food and beverages your guests need.
Don’t Forget The Tea!
Think about the kind of tea that your guests like and what you enjoy. There is little point in preparing something which nobody will actually drink. If the majority like hot tea, then you can bring boiled water in a flask or large teapot with loose leaves or teabags added.
Alternatively, you could make your own iced tea and prepare it in a teapot to share with your guests. Now is the perfect time to bring out that mismatched tea set. There is no such thing as clashing patterns when you are having afternoon tea, so take pride in finding a second hand set with ceramic cups and saucers.
Summary
The great thing about afternoon tea is that it can be as complicated or simple as you want it to be. There is nothing wrong with getting your guests involved, and asking what they would like to experience. Some may even lend a hand with the food preparation or bring a spare tiered stand. Nothing brings people together quite like gathering for afternoon tea.
