Tea Time with Dad: Celebrating Father’s Day with the Perfect Afternoon Spread
Father’s Day is a special occasion to celebrate our dad’s love, guidance and support. With the hustle and bustle of daily life, we often forget to show our appreciation for all that our dad has done for us. But, Father’s Day gives us the opportunity to show our dad how much he means to us. And what better way to celebrate than with a lovely afternoon tea spread?
Tea time is a British tradition that has been celebrated for centuries and this is the perfect occasion to bring a little bit of that tradition to your Father’s Day celebration. It’s an excellent way to spend some quality time with your dad over some delicious treats and hot cups of tea. So, let’s dive into how you can put together the perfect tea time spread to celebrate this Father’s Day.
Setting the Table
The first step to creating the perfect tea time spread is setting up a beautiful table. Start by laying out a nice tablecloth or a pretty set of placemats. Next, add some decorative elements like flowers, candles or a centrepiece to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
When selecting your crockery, we recommend choosing something delicate and feminine, but if you’re looking for a modern twist, colourful and bold designs can be just as beautiful. If you don’t have a matching set of tea cups and saucers, don’t worry as mixing and matching adds to the charm. Also, make sure you have enough cutlery for each person to have their own set.
The Perfect Tea Selection
The star of a perfect afternoon tea is the tea itself! Select a nice array of teas to offer your guests. Make sure you have plenty of black tea options like Earl Grey or English Breakfast Tea. If your dad has a certain preference, make sure you have that available too. You can also offer herbal teas, green teas or fruit-infused teas for those who prefer something a little different. Ensure you offer both tea bags and loose leaf options to cater to everyone’s preferences.
Before serving the tea, make sure the water is hot enough so that the tea is brewed correctly. We recommend serving the tea in a teapot to keep it warm and to add a touch of elegance. If your teapot doesn’t have a strainer or infuser, consider investing in one, as loose leaf tea is more flavourful but requires a bit of care when serving.
Delicious Finger Sandwiches
No tea time spread is complete without sandwiches! Finger sandwiches are perfect for a tea-time feast as they are dainty and easy to eat. For Father’s Day, try a classic favourite like cucumber sandwiches. Prep thinly sliced cucumbers and lay them over a layer of cream cheese on sliced white or whole-wheat bread. Top it with a fresh herb such as dill, mint or basil, and voila! You have a delicious and satisfying sandwich that any dad is sure to love.
If your dad prefers meatier sandwiches, prepare a selection of ham or turkey and cheese on rye or pumpernickel bread. You can add a little mustard or mayo for some flavour but keep it light as you don’t want the sandwiches to overpower the tea.
Scrumptious Scones with Clotted Cream and Jam
Scones are a tea-time staple and a perfect choice to celebrate Father’s Day. They are easy to make, and you can customise them to your dad’s preferences. We recommend serving them warm with butter, clotted cream and jam. The clotted cream is what makes them so decadent, but don’t worry, if you can’t find clotted cream at your local store, whipped cream can be used as a great substitute.
To make the scones, start by preheating the oven to 220C. In a large bowl, combine 225g of self-raising flour, 2 tablespoons of caster sugar and a pinch of salt. Next, add 55g of cold butter and rub the mixture until it resembles small breadcrumbs. Add 150 ml of milk a little bit at a time until a dough is formed. Roll it out and use a cookie cutter to cut out scones. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until they turn golden brown.
Irresistible Sweets
A tea time table isn’t complete without a selection of sweets. Try making butterfly cakes; they are easy to make and can be customised to your dad’s preferences. All you need is a box mix of vanilla cupcakes, vanilla frosting, and some food colouring. Once you have baked your cupcakes, slice off the top and cut it in half. Use a small dollop of frosting to attach the two halves to look like butterfly wings and then decorate with coloured icing to give them a whimsical touch.
For a more traditional touch, try making Victoria Sponge Cake. The cake is made with layers of light sponge cake, raspberry jam, and whipped cream. It’s a delicious and delicate dessert that’s sure to please your guests.
Final Thoughts
Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with your dad and show him how much you appreciate him. Preparing the perfect tea time spread is an excellent way to celebrate this occasion and show him how much you care. Remember, for an ideal tea time experience, it’s the little touches that matter, so make sure you set the table beautifully, offer a nice selection of teas, serve delicious finger sandwiches, and finish it off with mouth-watering sweets. Try to take the time to sit back, relax and enjoy some time catching up with your dad over some hot cups of tea.
Hopefully, this article has inspired you to create your own tea time spread for Father’s Day this year. And if all goes well, this could become a new tradition for you and your dad. Happy Father’s Day!
