For a fun activity for a small group, try afternoon tea. The traditions for tea vary from whimsical to formal and everything in between, making it the perfect type of gathering to customize to your preference. Many common tea practices involve sharing from large dishes and the same communal teapot. However, for those concerned about staying healthy and practicing social distancing, here are a couple of ways to adjust your afternoon tea plans:

Individually Portioned Finger Foods

Small pastries and finger sandwiches are staple foods at afternoon tea. While it’s tradition to serve tea snacks on multi-tiered trays, a more sanitary option is to make guest plates in advance. Pre-portion the food and other tea essentials like cream, sugar, butter and jam. This way, each guest can indulge without risk of cross-contamination.

Personal Tea Pots

Consider offering each guest their own personal teapot for the event. Miniature teapots are easy to find at any home or kitchen goods store and conveniently hold enough water for about two cups of tea. Have your guests choose a teapot for themselves at the beginning of the party and they can use it exclusively throughout. This avoids any need for passing things around and also gives each guest the freedom to choose whichever variety of tea they like.

Make It a Garden Party

Taking your afternoon tea outside is a great way to reduce your health risks and make it easier to social distance. Even if you don’t have a traditional English garden to host your friends for tea, any outdoor space makes an excellent venue. If you want to add some charm and whimsy, use decor like doilies and floral prints. Adding a simple table cloth to a picnic bench is enough to transform the entire gathering in one step. You and your guests can enjoy nature, tea and each other’s company with ample airflow and space.

Hosting afternoon tea is just one way to enjoy small social gatherings in a safe and healthy way. Following these tips will help you and your guests feel comfortable and have fun indulging in this relaxing tradition.