Three Tiers For Tea

How to host a modern-day tea party.

- Layla Khoury-Hanold

The Mad Hatter from “Alice in Wonderland” might be your family’s earliest tea party reference, but the tradition of taking afternoon tea dates back to 1840 in England when Anna Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, started enjoying afternoon tea and a snack to tide her over between lunch and dinner. The duchess later invited friends to join her for afternoon tea, and it became the fashionable thing to do.

When Queen Victoria — who reigned over England from 1837 through 1901 — adopted the tradition, it became a formal event. Afternoon tea was typically served at 4 p.m., along with a variety of finger foods like crustless tea sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and preserves, and small cakes and sweets. These goodies were served on multi-tiered stands alongside Ceylon tea poured from teapots into dainty china cups, according to Historic-UK.com, a website dedicated to publicizing the history and heritage of Britain.

This sophisticated ceremony has made its way into luxury hotels and private homes, too. “The popularity of tea has [grown] exponentially over the years, spurred by studies touting tea's health effects, but also because of increased interest and understanding of the sophisticated and enjoyable experience of a proper British high tea service,” says Sonya Ann Pratt, owner of The Lucky Teapot Traveling Tea Parties, a Triangle-based company that plans events such as tea party-themed bridal showers and Mad Hatter-themed kids’ parties.

Today’s tea parties are less formal, but the spirit of taking tea among the company of friends makes for a fun and festive way to celebrate special occasions like birthdays or Mother’s Day. Here’s our step-by-step guide for hosting a modern-day tea party in your home.

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