How to Host a Tea Party

A tea party needs three things: good tea, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a little planning. Decide whether you are hosting a simple cream tea or a full afternoon tea. Then build the menu around the scones, choose two or three teas, and order the scones ahead, so the morning of the party is about setting the table.

Scones are the heart of a proper tea. We think a tea party is one of the nicest ways to gather people, whether it is a birthday, a shower or a slow fall afternoon, and it is easier to host than a dinner. Here is how to put one together.

Cream tea or afternoon tea?

Start by choosing the scale of the party.

A cream tea is scones, clotted cream, jam and a pot of tea. Nothing else. It is the easiest version to host and works well for a small group or a short visit. Our guide to what a cream tea is covers its history and the traditions behind it.

An afternoon tea adds small sandwiches and sweets to the scones, usually served in tiers. It suits a longer party, a birthday, or a bridal or baby shower.

If you are unsure, start with a cream tea and add one savory plate. Nobody leaves a tea party hungry when the scones are good.

Build the menu around the scones

Plan the scones first and let everything else follow. A mix works best:

• A plain or classic scone for clotted cream and jam, the way a cream tea is meant to be served.
• A fruit scone or two for color on the table.
• A savory scone to balance the sweets, especially for an afternoon tea. Our guide to savory scones explains how they fit into a tea.

Our flavors rotate every week, so check this week's menu to see what we are baking. If you have a favorite from a past menu, we can bake a batch for you (details below).

Choose your teas

Two or three teas are plenty. A strong black tea is the classic choice for a cream tea. Earl Grey adds a lighter citrus note, and a spiced chai suits a cool fall afternoon. Offer one caffeine-free option for guests who prefer it.

In our shops we pour Oliver Pluff & Co. tea, along with Teapigs Chai and Earl Grey, if you would like to try a cup before you choose.

Jam first or cream first?

Every tea party eventually reaches this question. In Cornwall, jam goes on first and clotted cream on top. In Devon, it is cream first, then jam. Both camps are certain they are right. Put both on the table and let your guests decide. It is the best kind of argument to have at a party.

Set the table the morning of

Keep the table simple:

• A teapot or two, warmed before you brew.
• Small plates, napkins, and a butter knife for every dish of cream and jam.
• A tiered stand if you have one. A long platter works just as well.
• A few fresh flowers or seasonal greenery down the center of the table.

Lay the scones out last, just before guests arrive.

Ordering scones for your tea party

Our special orders team handles tea parties of every size. Here is how it works:

1. Tell us your date and how many guests you expect.
2. Pick your scones from this week's menu.
3. For a flavor that is not on the menu this week, order 8 or more of one flavor by 10 a.m. the day before you need them, and we will bake a batch for you.

Every scone is baked at our Midtown Bakeshop, and our team will confirm pickup details with you. Place your order as early as you can.

For family who live far away, we ship scones nationwide through Goldbelly, so they can host a tea party of their own.