A simple get-together with friends does not require strict etiquette and rules, but it is useful to know how to arrange sugar, milk, tea sets, etc. Large parties require setting up the venue, and if you plan to hold a buffet party, the focus is on setting up the food area.

Decorate the Venue for Formal Gatherings

Think about what kind of tea party you want to host. When most people think of afternoon tea, they think of a tea party where snacks like small sandwiches or scones are served between meals. This type of tea party can be self-service and does not require a special venue. It only requires some tableware, utensils, and a small place to sit. If you are holding a formal evening tea party, you will need to configure special tableware according to the type of food provided. Read carefully below to learn the steps to prepare for a tea party.

• The evening tea party is also called “high tea”, and this name is often misunderstood as a general term for tea parties.

Cover the dining table with a beautiful tablecloth. When holding a seated tea party, consider that the tables and chairs can accommodate all guests. All food is generally placed in the center of the dining table. If you are hosting a formal evening tea party, a.k.a. high tea, then the tabletop space only needs to accommodate one dish at a time.

Place a dinner plate in the center of each tablecloth. If it is not a formal meal, guests only need a dinner plate. The ideal dinner plate size is 23-24cm, other sizes can also be selected according to specific circumstances.

Fold napkins for each guest. Fold into a rectangle, square or triangle and place on the left side of the dinner plate with the opening facing the right. If space is limited, simply place the napkin in the center of the plate.

Place tableware. Provide appropriate tableware for each guest based on the type of food being served. At least a small spoon for stirring the tea should be placed on the right side of the dinner plate. If serving cake, place a small knife and fork on the left side of the dinner plate, and place at least one table knife between the dinner plate and the spoon, with the blade facing the dinner plate.

• If steak is served, a steak knife must be placed.
• If sauces such as jam are provided, a butter knife must be provided and placed on the right side of the steak knife. Have a separate spoon for each sauce.
• If you are holding a formal evening party with multiple courses, each course needs corresponding tableware, placed from far away from the plate in the order of use.

Arrange teacups and saucers. Each guest is assigned a tea cup and placed on a saucer. The tea cup is placed to the right of the spoon.

Small peel bowls are available. The peel bowl is the smallest of the bowls and is placed above the napkin or fork in the upper left corner of the dinner plate. Peel bowls for used tea leaves and lemon peels.

• Peel bowls are only required for formal gatherings, not for ordinary tea parties.

Put the glass tea set. The water glass is placed above the cutlery or tea cup. If lemon juice or champagne is served, choose the corresponding glass and place it to the right of the water glass.

Add a dessert plate. If serving desserts, such as birthday cakes, small dessert plates or bowls will be required. The dessert plate is placed above the main dinner plate, with corresponding cutlery and forks, and placed horizontally between the two dinner plates.

• Small buffet tea parties do not require individual snack trays.

Arrange the Food

Choose the right dining table. The dining table should be large enough to accommodate cutlery and food. If you can’t seat all your guests, host a buffet tea party. This form is more informal and suitable for afternoon tea.

• Note when placing the dining table: If space is limited, place it on one side against a wall. If there is enough space, make full use of the four sides of the dining table to facilitate more guests.

Choose nice tablecloths and napkins. Clean and beautiful tablecloths enhance elegance and detail. Linen tablecloths are the most traditional, but you can also choose any other color or pattern you like. For a formal tea party, napkins and tablecloths need to match.

Place tea sets at both ends of the dining table. Offer guests a variety of drinks, including at least one caffeinated and one decaffeinated drink. Each type of tea is placed in a separate teapot, and it is best to strain the tea leaves to avoid pouring them out when guests are eating. It’s not necessary to serve tea on a silver platter or offer drink mixers, but the following is a must:

• A jug of milk.
• Place sugar cubes and sugar tongs, or white granulated sugar, and a spoon in a bowl.
• A pot of hot water for guests to dilute the tea.
• A plate of lemon slices or lemon wedges and gauze to prevent splashes when squeezing lemon juice.

Place coffee, hot cocoa, etc. at the other end of the dining table. If the number of guests is not small, you need to serve hot drinks at both ends of the table. Non-tea drinkers can have coffee or cocoa, but if you know your guests are tea drinkers, you can just serve tea.

• Place relevant tea ingredients at both ends of the table. If coffee is served, just serve it with cream and sugar.

Small plates, cups, and spoons are provided. If hosting a sit-down tea party, see “Formal Party Arrangements.” For a self-service tea party, place the tableware neatly on both ends of the table, or just one end if space is limited. A teacup and stirring spoon for each guest. Prepare a few more just in case you need them.

• If you don’t have enough tea cups, you can borrow them from a neighbor or ask your guests to bring their own. Many tea drinkers have their favorite tea cups. You should also prepare a few more in case someone forgets them.

Depending on the food being served, add utensils. If there is food that cannot be held with your hands, prepare a knife and fork. If serving soup, a small bowl and spoon will be required. Suppose serving desserts such as pudding, a small dessert spoon is required. Separate spoons are required for spreads such as jam and butter on bread.

• If you don’t know what foods to serve, here are some suggestions. The food provided in general afternoon tea does not require special tableware. This makes it easier for guests to help themselves, move around, and talk with their plates.

Place appetizers and desserts in the center of the table. The most common appetizer for afternoon tea is mini sandwiches with toast crust removed, and in the southern United States, deviled eggs are also common. At least provide a large plate of snacks and place them neatly. Place a plate of cookies, cakes, or scones on the side.

• If you use a three-layer cake stand, the most traditional way of placing it is: to put scones on the first layer, sandwiches and other appetizers on the second layer, and desserts on the bottom layer.

Place cold drinks on a side table or, if space is limited, on the main dining table. If a side table is placed, it should be placed at a certain distance from the main dining table to allow guests space to move around freely. There is always lemon juice or iced tea on the side table. Afternoon tea generally does not provide alcoholic beverages, but large-scale celebration tea parties will provide champagne, white wine, Sherry, port, and other wines.

• A plate of snacks can also be placed on the side table.

Decorate the table (optional). Usually choose bright decoration, you can choose it yourself. Flowers are a common decoration, avoid flowers with strong fragrance to avoid causing allergies in guests. You can use rose petals or lightly scented flowers.

• Don’t place decorations that are too large to prevent guests from getting their meals. After placing the dishes and food, decorate according to the remaining space.

An additional seat is provided (optional). Afternoon tea generally only offers finger food, such as scones, sandwiches, and cookies. These meals are convenient for guests to eat on the go. If there is enough space for each guest to sit, you can provide chairs in the living room or on the patio.

• For large tea parties, place multiple coffee tables with several chairs per table. Cover the table with a matching tablecloth.

Tips

• You can use a Russian teapot and a slim Russian glass to make sure the cup is heat-resistant.
• Use vintage placemats to enhance your elegance. Shop for hand-embroidered placemats in-store or online.
• The foods that can be provided for afternoon tea include mini sandwiches, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, brandy gingerbread, fruit meringue cakes, shredded coconut cubes, egg tarts, etc.