There’s something delightful about a tea party. Whether for a birthday, baby shower, or just catching up with friends, a tea party brings everyone together in a relaxed yet elegant way. And for New Zealanders, there’s plenty of room to blend tradition with a bit of our laid-back Kiwi style. Are you hosting one yourself?
Using tea party etiquette, transform your next gathering or event into an immersive tea experience. If you're considering hosting one yourself, read on for tips to blend elegance with a touch of laid-back Kiwi charm.
Invitations: The First Step in Good Etiquette
When hosting a tea party, sending a written invitation is a novel way to set the tone. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill gathering; charm them with a handwritten invitation that shows how much you care about them. Sending them a week or two in advance will let them clear the calendar and prepare for a unique event.
Whether you’re gathering friends or family, tea party etiquette recommends being clear about when you want them to arrive. A tea party is typically best enjoyed between 2 pm and 5 pm, the classic time being 4 pm. Communicating the dress code is important, too. A tea party can be as formal or casual as you like, but the last thing anyone wants is a clash of styles or to feel under or overdressed.
Learning the Art of Tea Service
One of the highlights of any tea party is, of course, the tea itself. Consider preparing a range of options and milk, sugar, and lemons if you want to go the extra mile. A handy guide for tea party manners is:
- Use loose-leaf tea for the best flavour
- Fill everyone’s cups up to three-quarters full
- Serve tea starting from your left, moving clockwise around where you are seated
- The last person served should be yourself
- Take care to avoid clinking the spoon against your cup
- When not drinking the tea, return the cup to the saucer.
These small steps create an atmosphere of attentiveness.
Setting the Scene: A Well-Laid Table
Your tea party table setting will inevitably reflect your own tastes and personality. Embrace it, and don’t feel pressured to dust off the fine china or source it. A more modern approach can be just as enjoyable, and sometimes less is more.
A three-tiered serving stand is conventional. Start with savoury treats on the bottom, then place your scones in the middle and any sweet desserts at the top. For a local twist, try Kiwi favourites such as mini savoury pies or afternoon tea biscuits.
Encouraging a Graceful Atmosphere
It takes both the guests and the hosts to maintain tea party etiquette. What this looks like will depend on your own preferences, but to follow tradition, remember to hold the cup by the handle and avoid the “piny raise”. Small details such as these establish a sense of refinement.
Sipping quietly is also important. Allow your tea to cool down naturally instead of blowing or slurping on it. If you’ve chosen to provide snacks, provide utensils for everyone. The best tea parties rely on everyone chipping in. Although such etiquette may feel silly, especially to younger guests, leading by example will help everyone come together and partake in what’s most important: the conversation and connection.
The Farewell Gesture
As your tea party winds down, you may find yourself considering how to wrap things up. If you’ve specified how long the event will run in your invitation, bidding farewell becomes easier. If not, there’s no need to worry. Escort each of your guests to the door for a thoughtful full stop to your party. A modest parting gift, perhaps a tin of biscuits or tea, prolongs the festivities and warmth of the event to ensure a lasting impression.
A follow-up note thanking the guest for attending is another fine tradition in the world of tea parties. Handwritten letters are timeless and are even novel in our digital age. Whether you use a pre-bought card or make your own, a short message of gratitude through the mail gives guests something else to cherish.
The Best Tea for the Best Party
Hosting a tea party is about connection—bringing people together in a cosy, enjoyable way. Tea party etiquette certainly helps guide the flow of the day, but it’s the thought, effort, and genuine hospitality that make the event special.
So why not give it a go? With a few simple touches and a sip of tea, you can create an immersive experience that transports your guests to another world from the comfort of your home. Get started by browsing our tea shop online.