Set the Scene
It’s important to make an afternoon tea at home feel special.
- Select a comfortable corner in your house where you can sit comfortably for at least two hours.
- Use a table that can comfortably seat your guests and hold all the crockery you need for a meal.
- Set the table with style by bringing out your finest tablecloths and placemats. You can also bring out your best crockery for afternoon tea – those plates you only use when the Queen is in town. This will be the day. Oh, don’t forget to bring the cake stand.
- Create a physical menu for your guests. This will add sophistication and formality to the event. It will add to the “realness” of the event and let your guests know what they can expect.
- Consider picking up some fresh flowers during your weekly grocery trip. A vibrant bouquet is a great springtime centrepiece and will add a lot of cheer to the event. For Afternoon tea box delivery, consider afternoonteabox.com/
Dos and Don’ts of afternoon tea etiquette
There are some rules you should follow when enjoying afternoon tea at home. Here are some afternoon tea dos & don’ts:
- Start with sandwiches and then move on to sweeter treats such as scones, which are best served slightly warm.
- Always start by adding milk to your tea! You may find it a bit counter-intuitive but pouring milk in your teacup first before adding your freshly brewed tea is the best way to start. Mix everything in a back-and-forth motion, not a circular one. As much as you can, avoid knocking the spoon against the side of the cup.
- If you want to be extra fancy, serve your guests a glass of sparkling wine or champagne with their afternoon tea.