How to Set the Table for Tea–Eight Helpful Tips
September 14th, 2007
So you’ve decided to host a tea for your next event. The menu’s chosen and the invitations sent. You purchased the tea and reviewed how to brew it. Your event is not a buffet, and each guest needs a place-setting. What do you need to know?
- Afternoon tea, by definition, is a light meal. Luncheon/salad plates are the best size to use.
- The teacup is placed to the right of the place setting.
- Turn the teacup handle OUT (pointing to the right of the cup) and the blade of the knife IN (toward the plate).
- Use only non-scented candles and lightly-perfumed flowers. Let the smells come from the food and tea.
- Try and find luncheon-sized (nine-inch square) instead of dinner-sized (twelve-inch square) napkins. Place them to the left of the plate or on the plate folded prettily or with a napkin ring.
- If you use regularly-sized butter knives, instead of smaller spreaders, knife rests
are lovely additions and almost necessary. Your guests will find it difficult to rest the larger knives on the smaller plates.
- Other normal place settings apply. Use only the necessary silverware. Forks on the left, knives and spoons on the right. Water glasses sit on the right above the knife.
- Place-cards are a lovely, helpful touch.
Setting the table is my favorite part of preparing for a tea-themed event. I love to see all the pretty elements come together. Have fun with it!
What one thing can you add to your home to help you set a pretty tea table?
Entry Filed under: Best, The Tea Table
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10 Comments Add your own
1. Steph W | September 16th, 2007 at 11:49 am
This is a great post! I think so many people don’t know how to set a table anymore - perhaps because we so infrequently sit down to eat together. (sigh) I always enjoy a well-set table!
I’m especially grateful, on a personal note, about the caution against scented candles. I’m sensitive to smells and artificial ones (like most candles) just go over the top in many cases! I prefer beeswax or soy, unscented.
2. Eileen | September 17th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
I appreciate all your well-thought-out instructions and photo. You explain things very well. If you are not actually a teacher, you should be!
I love your blog, and subscribe to the RSS feed.
Best regards,
Eileen
Dedicated Elementary Teacher Overseas (in the Middle East)
elementaryteacher.wordpress.com
3. MzRita | October 30th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
As I have mentioned earlier in another post, I am planning a Christmas Tea. There will be over 30 ladies in attendance. I went to Ebay to try and find some items that I needed in bulk. I was fortunate to find 35 white dessert plates at a real steal.
I also looked for luncheon napkins. I had no idea that luncheon napkins were only 9 inch square. The auction that I bid on was for 48 white linen napkins and they were 17 inch square. The larger size was 20 inch square. So, I thought the smaller square was the luncheon napkin. Will I still be able to use all the napkins that I purchased, or will they look much too big?
4. Tea Party Girl | October 30th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Mz Rita, thank you for calling my attention to a place I need to do a little more research. There seems to be a discrepancy of opinions out there on the exact sizes.
In the meantime, I think your napkins will work out just fine. I have used larger napkins at my events with cute folds or decorative napkin rings.
5. Brenda | January 16th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I appreciate everything I am reading on this site. I just love hosting tea parties for children. I am planning a valentine tea party for adult ladies next month.
6. Cassidy | January 26th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Looks Great!!!
7. Tammy | January 27th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I was so excited to find your post!!! I am hosting a tea party this coming Saturday and wanted to make sure we set the table correctly!! Thank you soooo much for also including a picture!!!
8. Jenn | February 15th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Oh, knife rests! What a wonderful idea!
This makes me want to have a tea party.
9. Nancy | March 5th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I am planning a Ladies Tea at our church–the first one I’ve known them to have. This will be very helpful as I make plans. Of course, I have to expand everything to accommodate probably 60 or more women and young girls. I think it’s going to be a great experience! Thanks!
10. Peggy | April 19th, 2008 at 5:46 am
Thank you!
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