When I was a child, one of my favorite traditions on certain special occasions was afternoon tea.
My grandfather was born in England, and while he didn’t keep the tradition of daily afternoon tea, my family did put together beautiful tea parties now and then.
There’s really nothing quite like a tea party when you want to spend time with your loved ones without the stress of planning a large, elaborate dinner party.
And with these hassle-free tea party ideas and tips, that perfect tea party can be easier than ever!
5 Hassle-Free Tea Party Food Ideas
Just like any party, a good tea party is nothing without good food. But, that doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the kitchen!
Try these easy tea party food ideas to serve up a spread your guests will love, without the fuss:
Customized Tea Boxes
For the ultimate hassle-free tea party experience, consider splurging on afternoon tea boxes!
Featuring classic favorites like brownies, scones, strawberry jam, and clotted cream, these boxes are an easy way to ensure there’s something for everyone at your tea party.
And, of course, the best part is that having a box of delicious baked goodies ready for your party will let you enjoy your time with guests instead of being trapped in the kitchen!
Mini Sandwiches
Finger sandwiches are possibly the most iconic food item at any tea party, and they couldn’t be easier to make!
Pair thinly sliced bread with your favorite filling, and cut into triangles! Some classic options include cucumber and cream cheese, smoked salmon, or curried chicken.
Arrange the sandwiches on pretty plates or tiered platters for an added decorative touch!
Sausage Rolls
Puff pastry sausage rolls are a must-try traditional British snack that’s perfect for afternoon tea.
While you can likely find tasty sausage rolls ready-to-eat at a grocery store, they’re quite easy to make as well.
Simply roll out your puff pastry, add sausage meat to the center, and roll up the pastry again.
Cut into small sections, brush with beaten egg, sprinkle with herbs or sesame seeds, and bake until golden brown!
Sun Tea
To make homemade sun tea, fill a large glass dispenser with water and add eight tea bags per gallon.
Let the tea steep in the sun for two to three hours. Once it’s as dark as you desire, sweeten it with honey or agave and add a splash of lemon juice.
This sun tea is easy to make and especially tasty at a garden tea party!
Bundt Cakes
Tea parties are the perfect setting for serving food in miniature, and mini bundt cakes are an easy way to do that.
Use your favorite bundt cake recipe and a mini bundt cake pan, make one for each guest, and then top each one with a simple glaze.
Flavors like blackberry, sea salt, maple whiskey, and dark chocolate are all great glaze choices that can be whipped up quickly.
Tips For Hosting a Tea Party
With the food ready to go, it’s time to think about ways that you can really make your tea party stand out.
Try these hosting tips to help ensure your tea party is one that family and friends will always remember:
Consider a Theme
Hosting a themed party or an event for a special occasion can make your planning easier and more fun.
Whether it’s a simple celebration or a big one, having a specific theme gives you something to work around and simplifies your decisions.
Send Invites Early
While a small gathering might not need too much advance notice, a bigger group should be invited at least 14 days before the big event.
Giving people time to plan for your event will help ensure it’s as stress-free as possible for everyone you invite.
Keep in mind that you may need to follow up with RSVPs, as people may forget to get in touch as the date approaches.
Decorate to Impress
One of the best things about a tea party is having fun with the decorations, so take some time to decide just how you want to give your party that “wow” factor.
Having a theme can make that easier, but even a classic afternoon tea party can still impress with the right table linens and teacups.
For a large group, you might want to consider buffet-style serving, and saving your decorations for the individual tables.
For smaller get-togethers, fresh flowers and a cute ceramic teapot can add instant charm to any table.
No matter what you choose, the nice thing about decorating for a tea party is that it can be as simple or as extravagant as you want.
With the right food and a bit of preparation, it can be surprisingly easy to throw a hassle-free tea party for your family and friends.
Plan some easy food options, pair them with cute decorations, and get ready for some great bonding time with loved ones as you sip your tea!