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    Home » Afternoon Tea at Home

    11 Easy Steps to Host A Tea Party

    Published: Mar 12, 2018 · Modified: Nov 1, 2024 by Candi Elm · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Using these 11 Easy Steps to Host a Tea Party will help you plan all the details you need to prepare to celebrate your first tea party or occasion.

    I have put together so many Parties as it used to be my primary business. Now I share with others how you can have your own fabulous Tea Party for your friends and family.

    I don’t know what it is about having a Tea Party, but it gets me excited just thinking about it. Maybe it’s the idea of having friends together, or maybe it’s about the food or the tea, but whatever reason you are having a party, it is sure to be a success. Follow up with all my Afternoon Tea Ideas and Tips page.

    You don’t need a reason to throw a Tea Party, you can plan a small group of good friends decide on a fun theme, and brew some tea and a few desserts or sandwiches and you’re done!

    Not really there is a little bit more to it, but it is pretty easy. I will show you how below. Use these tips to keep a tea-tasting journal, to serve the best tea.

     
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    How to Host a Tea Party

    1. Set a Date – Make sure you give it a few weeks so your friends can make it.
    2. Send an invite – You can use paper or use Evites
    3. Get out your china – It doesn’t have to match, I love a mismatched china tea table.  Do you need a place-setting chart? See one below.
    4. Get some Herbal Green Tea and a teapot. Here is a tip to help you learn how to make a great pot of tea.
    5. Decide on a theme for your party.
    6. Make some savories like these cucumber sandwiches, or these 15 tea sandwiches, and desserts like these lemon bars. Don’t forget the scones
    7. Put on some nice music.
    8. Get out your favorite hats and place some great Tea Books around.
    9. Hopefully, you got an RSVP from everyone, they wouldn’t want to miss it and you need to know just how much food to make.
    10. Create Scripture Cards or Purchase Favors for Your Guests
    11. Be a great hostess, tell a cute teacup story or the history of tea, and this is the best part, pouring tea for your friends and having a great conversation.
    Tea Party Place Seating Chart for A Day In Candiland.com

    11 Steps to Hosting Your Tea

    1. If you have an occasion for your tea, then you probably have a date in mind. But if you want to have a fun event, then ask a few friends or potential attendees what would be a good date. You want to plan it at least a month in advance unless you are just having 1 or 2 friends over and there is not much planning. 
    2. Send out an invite, by text, phone, printed invitations, or Evite. Printed invitations are always fun and you can make them with a computer.
    3. Table and Place Settings – It is always fun to use real China. You can use a set of china or mismatched china. You can borrow from a friend or get some at your local 2nd hand store. You can even purchase some fun pretty paper or plastic plates now for easy cleanup. Make sure you also have teacups, teapots, napkins, creamer, sugar bowl, glasses, and utensils. Decide if you will use the dining table or if you will use round tables. 
    4. Choose your tea – You can serve a variety of teas including, Black tea like Earl Grey or English Breakfast. Or you can serve Green or Herbal Teas. You can use loose-leaf tea or tea bags. 
    5. Theme – Will you have a theme for your party? Choose from some of the ideas below. Do you really need a reason to have your own afternoon tea party? 
    6. Afternoon Tea Menu – Here is where the fun comes in. To have a proper tea party you will want to serve different types of tea, warm scones, bite-sized cakes, tiny sandwiches, and maybe fresh fruit. You can serve them on a tiered tray. A good rule of thumb is about 2-3 finger sandwiches, 1 scone, and 2-3 mini cakes or desserts. 
    7. Play some nice music on a blue tooth speaker, or your stereo. You can play instrumental music, classical, or worship music. 
    8.  Part of the fun of the tea party is the dress code. I like to wear a dress or something dressy, a fun hat, and jewelry. There is no right way to attend, but it adds to the experience. Make sure when sending out the invitations you suggest a dress code. 
    9. RSVP- Check with everyone so you know the guest count and will have the proper amount of food and tea. 
    10. Tea Party Favors– These are a must have for your afternoon event. There are many ideas for tea favors at your party. You don’t have to spend a lot of money and you can be creative and choose items within your theme. Start with these adorable gift bags, and then go to the dollar store and choose a cute journal to put inside it with a pen. You can also use these tea envelopes with scripture on them, or these tea scripture cards. Get a small glass vase and put some fresh flowers in it and put at each setting and the guests can take them home. Or these tea bookmarks are a cute idea. Another great idea is to have some scone recipes printed or any of the recipes you serve, have it printed out, and give to each guest. 
    11. Last but not least, one of the most important things is to be a great hostess. If you need to enlist some help, do so. You want to make your guests feel comfortable and special. Make sure you have plenty of hot tea available. You can have someone talk for a few minutes about a topic you like, or as mentioned above you can read The Teapot Story or the History of Afternoon Tea. 

    The most important part of any tea party or afternoon tea is the fellowship and encouragement.  you can get during this time. You can have a successful Tea with 1 or 20 friends. You can even make it a monthly event and change up the theme and food each time. If you really love to serve think about starting a Tea Ministry.

    Looking for a fun game to play at your tea party?

    Tea Word Word search game
    Afternoon Tea Party Word Search
    Buy Here

    Occasions to Host a Tea Party

    • Mother’s Day
    • Baby Shower
    • Birthday Party
    • Graduations
    • Bridal Showers
    • Christmas Tea
    • Thanksgiving Tea
    • Spring Tea

    Related Articles

    • Planning the Perfect Baby Shower Tea Party
    • Creative Afternoon Tea Ideas for a Memorable Gathering
    • What is a Tea Ministry?
    • 15 Tea Party Theme Ideas

    More Afternoon Tea at Home

    • Garden Tea Party Ideas: The Complete Hosting Guide
    • How to Throw a Beautiful Tea Party Birthday Celebration
    • Complete Guide to Planning a Mother’s Day Tea Party
    • Adult Tea Party Ideas and Recipes

    Afternoon Tea at Home

    About Candi Elm

    Candi Elm is the recipe developer and food photographer at A Day In Candiland where she has been sharing Encouragement, Recipes, and Afternoon Tea Ideas since 2012. Candi currently lives in Southern California with her family and enjoying life to the fullest.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Akaleistar says

      October 26, 2013 at 2:14 pm

      How fun!
      My recent post Homemade Chocolate “Pop Tarts”

      • Candi says

        October 27, 2013 at 4:10 am

        Thanks for stopping by A Day in Candiland. Hope you visit again soon.

    2. frontporchreviews says

      January 21, 2014 at 3:44 am

      Thanks for the tips on setting up a tea party. I really want to hold one of these with my girl friends and my daughters friends. I can't wait for spring to get to planning one.
      (stopping by from the SITS Tribe)
      My recent post Roasted Cabbage and my Diet Update

      • Candi says

        January 22, 2014 at 4:50 am

        I am sure you will do a great job, and if you have any questions, bookmark this blog and ask away
        My recent post How to Dress for Tea

    3. Barb @ ALB says

      July 23, 2014 at 7:44 am

      I'd love to do one in the winter for my daughter and her friends. I think the 2nd graders would enjoy dressing up and eating off of fancy china!
      My recent post Summer Family Fun Series 7.23.14

      • candielm says

        July 23, 2014 at 6:34 pm

        I work in 2nd grade and I know the 1st grade has a tea party every year and they love it

    4. Christina says

      July 23, 2014 at 10:22 am

      I love the table setting image! It's a great cheat sheet to have on hand. THanks for sharing!
      My recent post Sweet ‘n Spicy Slow Cooker Mango Chicken {Guest Post}

      • candielm says

        July 23, 2014 at 6:35 pm

        I created it, it was going to be my freebie, but it never worked out that way.

    5. Megan says

      July 23, 2014 at 9:31 pm

      I love these tips on how to have a proper tea party! Thanks so much, my girls will love to do this and invite their friends!

    6. @GirlGoneMom says

      July 25, 2014 at 7:22 am

      Great advice! I love mismatched china too.
      My recent post Summer Essentials, Balance Bars & Walmart Gift Card Giveaway #BalanceShapeUp #Spon

    7. @SuperMommyClub says

      July 26, 2014 at 12:10 pm

      Whenever I think about place settings I always think of that scene from Pretty Woman!

      When my daughter is old enough I think we'll throw her a tea party – right now she's too busy pouring imaginary cups of tea from her plastic tea set.
      My recent post Cheerios & Fruit Breakfast Muffins

    8. KRystal says

      July 31, 2014 at 1:03 pm

      I do like to have candles at my parties! Thanks for these ideas.
      My recent post Seafood Recipes | Creamy Shrimp Dip

    9. Donna J Shepherd says

      February 01, 2018 at 8:06 am

      The place setting diagram is very helpful. Love these tips! Thank you! – Donna

    10. Patricia says

      March 17, 2018 at 5:49 pm

      Love tea parties!!
      My sis and i went to tea parties when Dad was stationed as an airman in England 1950’s.
      We get Yorkshire tea mailed from the UK. And make in the Brown Betty teapot.

    11. Linda Pike says

      March 24, 2023 at 3:36 am

      Wow! What a valuable resource.

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    I’m Candi, a recipe and all things Tea blogger. I create family-friendly recipes along with sharing encouragement in your daily life.

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