It’s that time of year again. The whole nation has been swept up by Great British Bake Off fever and everything baked – from the rustic loaf to homemade jaffa cakes and even meringue swans – is terribly in vogue. Therefore it's the perfect time to throw an afternoon tea party, whether you’ve got a birthday round the corner or you just feel the need for a get-together with friends. Here are our best afternoon tea party planning tips.
Go with simple savoury treats but make them extra special. For example, why not use a cooker cutter to give your sandwiches a pretty heart-shaped finish? Alternatively you can cut a shape in the middle of the top slice of a jam sandwich, so that the lovely red colour shows through.
When it comes to creating your sweet offering for the party, try and mix up the textures and types. Perhaps go for one slice of a bigger sponge cake, one treat involving pastry such as a fruit tart, along with something fancier or more technical such as a macaron. There’s nothing wrong with popping to the shop for the more adventurous desserts, or indeed approaching a baking friend for help – after all, they’ll be complimented that you asked! If you need to pad out your sweet selection, a strawberry partially sliced into a fan and filled with piped clotted cream is a winner.
Don’t forget the little details. An afternoon tea really needs a bit of style, so matching tea sets and twee napkins really can bring the whole theme together. This doesn’t need to cost the earth though and can be really fun for kids and adults alike if you enjoy crafts. For drinks aside from tea, collect up jam jars which you can decorate with lace or ribbon, along with a handwritten sticker with each guest’s name. You can also pick up great vintage cake stands from your local car boot and have a go at making bunting with some friends.
A final touch for any afternoon tea party is of course the party invitations. Whether it’s birthday or general party invitations you need, Putty Print has got it covered. All tea party invitations are customisable and your order will be dispatched on the same day for free if you order by 10am.