How to Host a Summer Afternoon Tea in Your Garden

When the best of the British summer rolls around, it’s worth having a garden space in which to take advantage of it. And there are few better ways to spend time in the garden than with the help of a good tea party. After all, tea is a British institution!

But exactly how might you approach the task of hosting such a gathering? Let’s take a look at a few of the variables that really matter.

Creating a Welcoming Garden Setting

You’ll want to first ensure that your surroundings are suitably neat and tidy. Fresh flowers around you, and the right decor, can go a long way to lifting the space. Set up tablecloths and bunting in matching, soft-hued shades. Make sure that the seating is comfortable enough to accommodate guests for several hours, and that there are options for those who’d like to spend the time in the shade.

Refreshing Drinks and Seasonal Treats

Of course, the term ‘afternoon tea’ can be a little restrictive. You might decide that you don’t want to only serve the traditional, familiar kinds of tea. Some of your guests, in fact, might not want to drink tea at all! Offer some fruit-based and chilled options.

Your food options should be traditional and tantalising. Pastries and finger sandwiches will give you an opportunity to show off your culinary skills – or, you could save yourself the effort, and spend a little on a premade hamper.

Adding Charm to Your Tea Spread

Even if you’re mostly making the food yourself, you might find that a few extra options here and there can elevate the entire occasion. You might, for example, decide that shortbread biscuits are too difficult (or time-consuming) to make from scratch. Shortbread and tea form a reliable, trusted combination.

You might also accent your spread with one or two store-bought decorative flourishes. Edible flowers, fruit bowls, and napkins can all help to turn a great tea party into a special one.

Keeping the Event Relaxed and Enjoyable

If you put a lot of effort into planning an occasion like this, then it’s easy to get stressed about it. Fortunately, there’s a great deal you can do to make things more manageable. Make sure that you have all of your food made well in advance, and that you have extra cups and plates to hand, in case of breakages.

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