Lately, high tea has been popping up everywhere again. You see it in birthday plans, bridal showers, book club catch-ups, and those “come over for a proper chat” Sundays. It feels like people are choosing slower, softer gatherings, the kind where you can hear each other, snack a little, and stay a bit longer.
Even Pinterest has picked it up as a trend, with a big jump in searches for afternoon tea party ideas. And when you look at how many people are choosing tea spaces as a calm, social place to meet, instead of loud nightlife, it makes sense that tea time is having a moment again.
The best part is that you do not need a fancy venue. An at-home high tea is one of the easiest ways to host, because the food is simple, everything is small, and you can prep most of it the day before.
And for LMC, tea time will always feel personal. The brand began at the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains on a rooibos tea farm, close to where Lize grew up, so sharing a pot of rooibos with friends is right at the heart of it.
Here is a relaxed way to host your own.
Start with a time that suits real life
High tea works best in the mid-afternoon, around 3 pm to 5 pm. People have time to get there, and nobody is thinking about dinner just yet. Keep the group small if you can, around six to eight friends, so you are not stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is laughing at the table.
If you want a theme, keep it simple. A “garden table” with flowers, a soft pink moment, or a rooibos-tasting-style tea table is more than enough. The theme is really just a little guide for colour, flowers, and the kind of treats you choose.
Make the table feel pretty, without making it precious
This is where high tea feels special, and it does not take much.
Start with a cloth or runner, then add cups, side plates, teaspoons, and one or two teapots. If nothing matches, even better. It looks collected over time, like a friend’s home, not a showroom.
Add height with a cake stand, or stack two plates on an upside-down bowl. Then soften the table with a few flowers in small jars and a candle or two.
A small “tea corner” on a side table also helps. Keep extra spoons, honey, milk, lemon, and a bowl for used teabags there, so you are not jumping up every five minutes.
If you love a neat tea station, pop your spare teabags in the LMC Blue Bird Tin. It is made to store a box of LMC tea and looks lovely on the table, too.
Keep the menu classic and calm
High tea food looks fancy because it is small, not because it is hard. Think in three parts: savouries, scones, and sweets.
For savouries, choose two or three sandwich fillings. Cucumber and cream cheese is always a winner, egg and cress is nostalgic, and chicken mayo or coronation chicken keeps everyone happy. If you want one warm bite, add mini quiches or sausage rolls.
For scones, plan one or two per person. Put jam and cream on the table and let people build their own. Warm scones for a few minutes just before guests arrive, and the whole kitchen smells like a bakery.
For sweets, go for bite-sized treats. Brownies, lemon bars, mini cupcakes, fruit tartlets, even shop-bought macarons, it all works. The trick is to keep it small so guests can taste a little of everything.
Let the tea be the main event
This is the part that makes the afternoon feel like a real gathering, not just snacks on a plate. Put two teapots on the go and let guests choose their mood.
If you want a tea that feels like dessert, brew LMC Strawberries and Cream. It is rooibos blended with dried strawberries and a cream flavour, and it is an easy match for scones and sweet treats.
For something bright and fruity, add LMC Cherry and Hibiscus. It blends rooibos with hibiscus and rose petals, with cherry flavouring, so it feels fresh and a little floral. You can serve it hot, or make a jug of iced tea if it is a warm day.
A small hosting tip that always helps: pour the first cup for each guest. It sets the tone, and it makes everyone feel looked after.
The easy plan for the day before
The secret to enjoying your own high tea is doing the boring bits early. The day before, prep sandwich fillings, bake one sweet treat, and lay out your cups and plates. On the day, you assemble, warm the scones, put the kettle on, and actually sit down.
Because that is the real reason high tea is making a comeback. It is a simple way to slow down and be together, with something warm in your hands and nowhere else you need to be.