35+ Unforgettable Tea Party Ideas

When it comes to throwing a memorable tea party, the sky’s the limit. But between picking the invitations, selecting the perfect food, and arranging for decorations and favors, all those tea party ideas can be downright overwhelming.

Not to worry! From the menu to the decorations, this comprehensive guide will help you pull off an unforgettable tea party with ease. Whether you’re planning a birthday tea party for a 3 year old or the sweetest tea party themed baby shower, these 35+ tea party ideas are sure to please.

When you’re hosting a tea party, a good party plan is key to making sure everything goes smoothly, and everyone has a good time:

• You’ll know what to make, and when to make it for optimal time management,
• Guests will have enjoy themselves with fun games and activities,
• You’ll be able to keep track of all the little details, and
• You can make sure everything looks exactly the way you want it to.

To make it simple for you, we’ve got a free one-page party planner that you can download right to your computer. It’s specifically designed to help you track not only your budget, but your time as well.

Afternoon Tea vs High Tea – What’s the Difference?

Did you know that there are two types of tea party? When most of us think about tea parties, we’re picturing afternoon tea, also known as ‘low tea’. So what’s the difference between afternoon tea and high tea?

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea has its origins in the early 1800s, when Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, is credited with inventing the tradition. At the time, dinner was served quite late in the evening (around 8pm), and the Duchess found herself feeling hungry in the afternoon.

She started ordering a light meal to be brought to her room in the afternoon. At some point, she began inviting friends to join her, and the afternoon tea party trend had begun.

A typical afternoon tea is served in the the later afternoon, and has light sandwiches, sweets, and scones with jam and clotted cream. The food is usually served on a tiered tray, allowing guests to select what they would like to eat.

High Tea

High tea, or ‘full tea’ is a meal that replaces lunch. It generally features heavier foods such as savories, scones, and cakes.

High tea is more formal and starts earlier, usually before 5:00 pm. You would take it after lunchtime, but before dinner time.

Who is your Tea Party for?

Tea parties are a popular party theme for everything from baby showers, to kids birthday parties, bridal showers, or even just a casual afternoon get-together.

Which is why it’s important to remember who your party is for when you’re planning. After all, a tea party for a group of 3 year olds is going to look quite different than one for a group of 30-something women!

Tea Parties for Kids

Kids tea parties are less about the actual tea and more about the experience of ‘feeling fancy.’ When looking at ideas and inspiration, keep these tips in mind:

• Have some tea around, but don’t forget to include plenty of other drinks, like punches, juices, and flavored waters.
• You’ll also want to serve kid-friendly foods such as mini sandwiches, chicken fingers, and cut up fruit and vegetables. And don’t forget the sweets! Cute cupcakes, cookies, and other small desserts are always a big hit with kids.
• Also keep in mind that they’ll have shorter attention spans than adults. Make sure there are plenty of party games and activities to keep them engaged and entertained.

Tea Parties for Adults

A tea party for adults is a whole different ballgame!

Focus on creating a relaxing and elegant atmosphere with simple, chic decorations. A few well-placed flowers, a beautifully set table, and some soft music in the background can go a long way.

When it comes to food, you’ll want to keep it sophisticated…even if it’s simple. Light finger sandwiches, scones, and and a few stunning, but tasty tea party desserts.

Make sure to have several varieties of tea available (at least 4-5), and feel free to add in a few alcoholic options as well. Champagne cocktails, anyone?

Where to Host Your Tea Party

There are many things to consider when choosing a place to host your tea party: budget, the size of your party, the size of your space, and the expected weather.

Most of us will plan to host our tea parties at home, but there are some places where you can go out to host a tea party. Here are some popular choices:

• Bed and Breakfast
• Coffee House
• Private Dining Hall
• Tea Room
• Botanical Garden

Just remember, most of these locations will require catering, or purchasing food and beverages through them.

If you’re interested in making your own food, but don’t want to host your tea at home, you can consider renting a pavilion at a local park for a sweet, but casual event.

Tea Party Invitations

When planning any party, invitations are key. They set the tone for the event, and let your guests know what to expect.

Make sure to send your invitations at least two weeks in advance, though six weeks is best. This ensures guests have enough time to RSVP and make any travel arrangements.

When selecting invitations, choose a design that not only reflects the theme of the party, but also reflects your personality. Remember, you don’t have to use a formal style invitation if that’s not who you are.

Here are a few invitation ideas to inspire you:

• Editable Par-Tea Birthday Party Invitation: If you’re looking for a girly, pastel-colored invitation to a Tea party then this is the perfect design for your event. This printable template features an adorable tea cup stack with flowers and sweet treats. It’s cute enough to make any girl feel like royalty.
• Boho Florals Mommy To Be Party Invitation: Put the focus on mom with these “Time for Tea with Mommy to Be” baby shower invites. They’re the perfect option for an intimate gathering. Featuring a navy blue teapot and burgundy florals, it’s a sophisticated choice that isn’t too girly.
• Tea Bag Shaped Tea Party Invitations: Wow. These vintage style tea party invitations are definitely a unique and memorable way to invite guests to your upcoming royal tea bridal shower. Cut into the shape of giant tea bags, these done for you invites are sure to set the tone for an elegant and sophisticated event. 

See more gorgeous tea party invitations right here.

Tea Party Food

A tasty menu is essential for every celebration. After all, is it even a party without good food?

Most people are familiar with finger sandwiches and scones for tea parties, but there are actually many more options you can include to suit any flavor palette. The only thing that is pretty much constant is to keep your portion sizes dainty, as this is a light meal after all.

Appetizers and Finger Foods:

Appetizers, finger foods, and small bites are pretty much the epitome of dainty food. They’re also easy for guests to eat, and you can set up your trays pretty much anywhere.

Here are some tasty small-bite ideas:

• Ham and Broccoli Quiche Bites: Mini Ham and broccoli quiche bites are perfect for any party! Easy to make and full of flavor, this is a simple recipe your guests will love.
• Finger Sandwiches: A tea party isn’t complete without at least one or two dainty finger sandwiches. We’ve got the best list of finger sandwiches that is sure to please everyone. Whether you’re looking for classic cucumber sandwiches, or need some fun ideas for the kids, this is your list.
• Cranberry Brie Bites – Buttery brie and tangy cranberries come together in just minutes to create a heavenly combination that looks as good as it tastes.
• Easy Stuffed Mushrooms – Filled with a savory mixture of breadcrumbs and pecans, this is going to become one of your go-to party appetizers.
• Giant Gougeres – Don’t let the name fool you, giant gougeres are are a simple way to make mega-sized versions of a popular cheesy appetizer. Best of all, you can freeze them in advance so your party day is that much easier.
• Caprese Skewers – Made with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil, and a topped with a sweet balsamic glaze, your guests will love noshing on these easy, no-cook caprese skewers.
• Smoked Salmon Canapes – Always elegant, these smoked salmon canapés are filled with lemon artichoke cream cheese, and fresh cucumber. It’s the perfect bite sized snack for adult tea parties.
• Asparagus Tartlets – Crisp tart shells are filled with layers of pesto, tomato, and asparagus, all enveloped in a creamy egg filling for a delicious and stylish appetizer.
• Prosciutto and Melon Appetizers – These stacks of melon and prosciutto are a gorgeous spin on a classic appetizer.
• Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs – Creamy yolks are blended with smoked salmon, lemon, and dill then topped with a garnish of dill and smoked salmon for a delicious twist on an old classic.

Want to see more tasty finger foods? See all my appetizer recipes right here.

Drinks to Serve at a Tea Party

You don’t have to just stick to hot tea when you’re hosting a tea party. Consider serving a selection of different teas, as well as some non-tea drinks. Here are some great beverage ideas for your tea party menu:

• Blueberry Lemonade Mimosas – These mimosas (lemosas?) are a delicious blend of sweet, tart, and bubbly. It’s the perfect drink for a spring or summer party!
• Classic Champagne Cocktail – Considered one of the earliest cocktails ever made, there’s nothing quite like a classic champagne cocktail recipe when you feel like celebrating.
• Bubble Tea – Did you know you can make your own bubble tea at home? You can serve the classic recipe like this one, or you can grab a bubble tea kit with a variety of flavors.
• London Fog with Lilac Milk – A London Fog is a strongly brewed Earl Grey tea with milk, sugar, and sometimes a touch of herbs. It’s a delicious drink that most casual tea drinkers will enjoy. But adding lilac infused milk takes it up to a new level.
• Strawberry Tea Punch is a perfect option if you’ve got little kids coming to your tea party. It’s refreshing and sweet, and still technically counts as tea!
• Sparkling Water – You can’t go wrong with a refreshing sparkling water. It’s perfect for those who don’t want any caffeine, or for anyone who wants to drink alcohol-free cocktails.