A very British tradition, to many afternoon tea represents the height of refined sophistication, but it’s a pursuit that is very rarely held at home. Here at IDEAL, we think that’s a real shame. After all, hospitality and hosting burns bright in the hearts of our national consciousness, and afternoon tea is one of the most homely, welcoming celebrations one could host.

So host we shall. Whilst enjoying an afternoon tea in one of London’s premium hotels is an undeniably great experience (who doesn’t like being waited on hand and foot, after all?), it comes at a premium price to match. The Savoy Hotel’s legendary afternoon tea and a single glass of champagne, for example, will set you back £90.

And in the current climate, who’s got that kind of money to splash?

If you’re still keen to celebrate that sense of very British sophistication, then throwing your own afternoon tea party could be just the ticket. With a bit of creativity and some savvy shopping, you can recreate the luxury experience at a fraction of the cost. 

With that in mind, it’s time to throw some tea in the pot, throw some sandwiches on the table and throw your own do with our guide on how to host the IDEAL afternoon tea party, on a budget.

Your Favourite Finger Food

The great thing about hosting your own afternoon tea party is that you can choose your favourite finger food, and get as playful or creative as you want with it. Aside from the scones, which are non-negotiable in our humble opinion, you should think about building layers of intricate detail and complementary flavours.

Sandwiches of different shapes, sizes and fillings make up the backbone of the savoury section, but don’t be afraid to serve sausage rolls, quiches and smoked salmon blinis, too (what a weird thing to be afraid of). Have some fun with it, opting for seasonal ingredients and shop at local markets to keep costs down while ensuring freshness.

Where cakes are concerned (and you should, of course, be concerned about cakes), why not take inspiration from the Great British Bake Off and try your hand at making something fancy like a Battenberg cake? Visually as well as edibly stunning, it’s sure to really impress your guests. 

Remember to cater to all your guests, including those with dietary restrictions. And although they’re technically French, here at IDEAL we can’t resist macaroons for a vibrant, eye-catching dessert display. And don’t get us started on our love for madeleines. 

Read: How to do the French apéritif hour at home

Essential Items

If you want your afternoon tea party to reach five-star hotel standards (or, whisper it, exceed them) you’re going to have to invest in some essential items. Fear not, as this only needs to happen once, and once your party gets a reputation as a roaring success, you’ll get plenty of use out of your outlay. A three-level tier cake is a must, as there’s something ceremonial about this tall, proud centrepiece.

If you already own silverware, that’s great, but you don’t have to go out and spend excessive amounts on new items; just use your very best chinaware and crockery, and if you don’t own any teacups, charity shops are fantastic for old fashioned floral chinaware. Teapots and a cake slicer are other must-haves.

Don’t worry if you can’t find a full complement of items, as a mismatched style actually works really well in the domestic environment. Scour second-hand shops and online marketplaces for bargains that add a touch of vintage charm without breaking the bank.

The Decoration

The quirkier, the better we think, so don’t hold back! You’ll want to evoke the street parties of yesteryear with hanging bunting and lace doilies as placemats. Channel a Cath Kidson/paisley print style of design, with floral tablecloths or cushions to add that extra sprinkle of homely charm. DIY decorations can also add a personal touch and save money. Consider making your own bunting from fabric scraps or using wildflowers from your garden as centrepieces.

Read: 5 of the best places to enjoy the full afternoon experience in England

Theme It

If you really want to transport people to another time and place, offer escapism in the form of a theme (we all need a little of that right now, don’t you think?)

Perhaps you’re planning on making your afternoon tea party a regular thing? If so, you should change the theme with each event, it will keep things fresh and exciting (and keep people coming back for more, too!). To get the ball rolling, we’re thinking an Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatters Tea Party is about as on point as you can get.

Should you be stuck for ideas, take inspiration from the season that you’re throwing your event in. If it’s strawberry season, serve strawberry tea and make a centrepiece cake topped with fresh ones. Or why not throw a pink afternoon to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month later in the year, and raise money for Breast Cancer Now.  

The All Important Scones

Whether you pronounce it scone or scoooone, insist on sultanas or prefer plain, put your jam on first or open with a layer of cream, it can’t be argued that scones are the very essence of an afternoon tea party. If you don’t serve scones then we’re afraid to say that it’s just having a cuppa with friends. 

Choose your pronunciation, and don’t falter. Pledge allegiance to a method and stick to it; ‘the Devonshire’ dictates that you should smother a scone in cream before adding jam, while the groupies of ‘the Cornish’ persuasion insist jam should be applied first. But most importantly, serve the very best version you can muster (or buy them in – there’s no shame in that). That said, homemade scones are not only more economical but also add a personal touch to your gathering.

The Brew

It’s taken us this long to mention the headlining act, but the clue’s in the name….it’s called a ‘tea’ party, after all. So to make sure the brew doesn’t become an afterthought, it has to be loose tea leaves. Each type of tea requires a different length of infusion time and temperature, so check carefully first. Don’t assume all teas were created equal, as a rule. Filtered water provides the finest results, and generally it’s best to only boil the kettle once for proper aeration.

Earl Grey tea, with its distinctive citrus flavour, plays a major role in the whole ceremony of British afternoon tea. However, when it comes to the tea itself, not all brands are created equal. Let us direct you to our article on 6 steps to choosing the very best Earl Grey tea to help you develop a discerning palate for the stuff.

The Bubbly

These days, you can’t throw an afternoon tea party without a glass/bottle or two of prosecco. Afternoon tea is a special occasion after all and nothing says special like a glass of fizz. In the summer months, we think a pink champagne afternoon tea hosted in the garden with strawberry cupcakes is ideal.

If you’re looking to splash a little more cash and enjoy something truly unique, then think outside the crate here and go for an English sparkling wine, which has been growing in stature in the last few years. Many blind tasters now believe it to be even better than champagne. 

Our favourite here at IDEAL? It’s got to be Hambledon Classic Cuvée for £42, which is a cracking English fizz if ever there was one. For a more budget-friendly option, consider Crémant, a high-quality French sparkling wine made using the same traditional method as Champagne, but at around half the price for a bottle.

And for those who’d rather skip the booze altogether, reaching for sparkling tea is a surprisingly elegant alternative. Brands like Twinings, Saicho and Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company offer complex, celebratory drinks that hold their own in a champagne flute, giving teetotal guests something far more interesting than a glass of elderflower cordial.

Read: What to look for in the best sparkling wine

The Timings

As with any party you’re hosting, don’t give yourself too much last minute work. ‘Hosting’ is not simply plonking refreshments down on the table and making yourself scarce; quite the opposite in fact; your tea and snacks need to be accompanied by good conversation and attentiveness.

Save yourself some work by making cakes in advance and stashing them in the freezer. However, scones are best served fresh out of the oven, and as they’re such an integral part of the party, you should prep them fresh. 

Prep the filling for the sandwiches in advance – slice the cucumber in the morning, for instance – but don’t assemble them until just before eating, as otherwise there’s a danger of soggy bottoms. And you certainly don’t want your party to be known for that!

Planning ahead and preparing in stages can help you manage your budget more effectively, ensuring you don’t overspend at the last minute.

Now, can we expect our invite in the post? We certainly hope so.

The modern world of doing business is a very different beast. With consumers and companies alike increasingly aware of the world’s environmental problems and the need to take action to protect the it, choices made on both sides are now more keenly informed by green considerations than ever before.

And not a moment too soon. Reassuringly, it seems as though reputable businesses are taking measures to protect the environment by being sustainable in the way they produce and distribute their products, and the manner they go about their business.

As well as it, quite simply, being the right thing to do, being eco-friendly can also help your business’ bottom line. Research shows that more than a third of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainability, meaning it’s not only a morally right move, but a potentially lucrative one, too. With that in mind, here are 8 steps to a greener more sustainable business.

Measure Your Company’s Carbon Output & Improve Energy Efficiency

Knowledge is power, so first things first; it’s vital to understand your company’s carbon output before you go about reducing it. Check out the Carbon Trust’s SME Carbon Footprint Calculator for more on that.

Regardless of your footprint, every business needs to use energy in some way, whether that’s in the form of lighting, heating, computers, machinery, or vehicles. Although these processes are essential to being able to run your business, you can reduce their environmental impact by making your energy use more efficient.

Greater energy efficiency ultimately equates to using less energy and therefore reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts. As an extra bonus, this will also reduce your energy bills, saving you on expenses.

But how to go about becoming a more energy efficient business? Well, for a start, installing energy efficient lighting can significantly reduce your company’s energy usage, particularly if you have a larger site. Better insulation also helps to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your premises.  

Water usage is also important, so take care to install water efficient equipment in your bathrooms and other plumbing systems. If you have landscaping, replacing the plants with those that need less water can reduce your water usage and protect precious resources. 

And finally, commit to good energy-saving practice with electricity. Make sure lights, computers and other devices, and plug switches are all turned off at the end of the day. Every little helps, as they say!

The good news is that there are government incentives to make your business more energy efficient, with support schemes in place to encourage your company to go green(er).

Eliminate Paper

It used to be that offices and other businesses needed to use large volumes of paper for correspondence, reports, research, and other essential processes. This excessive demand for paper and its production is a primary cause of deforestation, as well as chemical pollution associated with making office-grade paper. With the ease of modern communication channels, you can – and should – eliminate your business’ use of paper entirely.

Correspondence can be completely replaced with emails, including invoicing. Storage, bookkeeping and even POS systems can now take place in the Cloud, allowing your business to safely and securely store documents, replacing the need for paper-based storage, including backup storage.

Virtually every process, from meeting minutes to internal communications, can be effectively carried out electronically, eliminating the need for any paper at all. Now, where did I jot down my pin number?

Choose Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Office Furniture

It’s easy to overlook the environmental impact of the very things you’re sitting on and working at every day. Traditional office furniture is often produced using high-impact manufacturing processes and chemical treatments, and because it’s not built to last, much of it ends up in landfill within a few years. That’s a lot of waste for something you barely think about.

Thankfully, sustainable alternatives are now widely available. Look for furniture made from recycled wood, bamboo, or recycled metals and plastics, and check that it’s been produced using low-VOC finishes to keep your indoor air quality healthy. Certifications such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and GREENGUARD are reliable indicators that a product meets genuine environmental standards.

It also pays to choose suppliers who practise what they preach. Companies like Vepa, for instance, manufacture all of their furniture in-house, giving them full oversight of the production process and, according to the company, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 70%. They’ve even found ways to repurpose wood offcuts into new products like chipboard and seating, operating as a waste-free factory.

Beyond the environmental benefits, ergonomic, sustainably made furniture can also improve employee comfort, health and productivity – making it a smart investment for your team as well as the planet.

Cultivate A Culture Of Recycling

If you do have to use paper (as well as other potentially ‘single-use’ materials), then implementing effective recycling systems in your business is essential to ensure your business keeps its environmental impact to a minimum.

Single-use plastics, in particular, are a major environmental issue, contributing to overflowing landfill and polluting our rivers and oceans. Effective recycling of plastic waste helps to reduce this problem – make sure you’re using an eco-friendly waste recycling service to ensure your company is operating in as cyclical a way as possible.

Recycling is not only related to how you use your waste, but also making sure that you only source products and supplies that are recycled. If you have to use paper, make sure it is certified recycled. For one tonne of recycled paper, this will save 7,000 gallons of water and 3 cubic yards of landfill.

Make sure your office products, toilet paper, packaging and all other supplies are made from recycled or recyclable materials. Once you’ve eliminated all single use items from your supply chain, you’ll realise how superfluous they were in the first place. 

Implement Comprehensive Waste Management Practices

Effective waste management is crucial for any business aiming to reduce its environmental impact. Start by conducting a waste audit to understand the types and quantities of waste your business generates. This will help you identify areas where you can reduce, reuse, and recycle more effectively.

Focus on the finer details when undertaking a comprehensive review of your waste management practices. Ensure that you have proper sanitary waste collection systems in place to handle waste from restrooms alongside recycling bins for paper, plastic, and other materials.

Additionally, set up designated bins for electronic waste to ensure old devices are disposed of responsibly. Consider composting organic waste from your kitchen or break room, and establish a system for collecting and recycling batteries and light bulbs. By implementing a comprehensive waste management strategy, you can significantly reduce the amount of waste your business sends to landfill, contributing to a healthier planet.

Green-Up Your Supply Chain

Whether it’s recycled, recyclable, compostable or biodegradable, prioritising suppliers who use eco-friendly packaging is a great way for your company to minimise waste and give your customers a more sustainable experience.

Generally speaking, cardboard and paper-based packaging should be more widely used than non-renewable packaging materials made from plastic — it’s far better for the planet.

Of course, if your company is packaging their own products, then it’s essential you use sustainable materials, not only to reduce your carbon footprint and ensure you’re operating more sustainably, but also to ensure loyalty in customers who prioritise such values. Check out these benefits of sustainable packaging to your business for more on that.

Introduce A Cycle To Work Scheme & Carpooling

Traditionally, a large amount of a business’ greenhouse gas contribution comes from their worker’s commutes and any business travel required for various roles within the company. Reducing your business’ carbon footprint means cutting down on this transport as much as possible, and as a responsible employer, there are things you can do to encourage this.

Incentivise your staff to carpool or come to work using sustainable transport methods such as public transport, walking, or cycling. Better still, you may be able to reduce your staff’s need to commute at all by opening up the possibility for remote work part or all of the time. Technology can also be used to replace in-person meetings with virtual meetings, reducing the need to travel, too…

Encourage Employees To Work From Home Where Possible

Alan Sugar be damned; there are plenty of benefits of employees working from home or your workplace adopting a hybrid-working model, and one of the chief pros is your company’s impact on the environment.

As Science Focus reports “Working from home can reduce both travel emissions from people’s commutes and save the need to heat, cool, or light offices”.

Forbes also reports that one “study found that working from home four days a week would reduce the amount of nitrogen dioxide, which is the main pollutant generated by traffic emissions, by around 10%”.

And with that ethos still ringing in your ears, we’ve just found the perfect excuse to log off and head home!