- Start by setting a date and time for your tea. Afternoons about 3 o’clock are the best, but that doesn’t always fit with everyone’s schedule. Allow two hours for sharing the time with friends. Encourage everyone to dress up–even hats and gloves are fun.
- Send invitations about two weeks before your tea time. This will give you time to plan the menu, shop, bake, and prepare for a very special time. It also gives your friends the time to plan for a babysitter or buy a dress or whatever. Your invitations can be purchased from a local stationery store, online, or make your own. I love to find printable wedding invitations at the thrift store and then print them on my computer. These are the Items that need to be Included In your Invitation:
Where:
When:
Time:
Occasion: (Birthday, shower, just because)
Phone number, text and email:
Address:
Dress:
R.S.V.P. by a certain date (usually four days before your tea)
Give them as many ways to contact you as possible, as people have a tendency to forget to let you know; then it is always a little embarrassing to have to call them! - Plan your menu and shop. An afternoon tea (or low tea, not to be confused with a high tea) will have three courses: tea sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and sweets. Perishable items will need to be picked up a day or two before the party. A cream tea is always a quick tea party idea with scones, served with jam and clotted cream, and a pot of tea.
- Inventory your teacups, dishes, and table linens and have them freshly washed and ironed. If you have silver items, make sure they are polished and shining.
- Prepare as much of the menu before the day of the tea. Have fresh flowers for the table.
- Set the table the night before, arrange the serving platters and cake stands on the table.
- On the day of the tea, prepare remaining food items, put fresh cold water into the tea kettle and enjoy.
For more tips on planning your tea, buy Penelope’s book, Tea on the Titanic. Copies are available on Amazon.
