The Serving Tray

BREAKFAST IN BED

This is a sweet surprise for special days. Pick a tray that’s just large enough to hold everything comfortably and that’s easy to carry from the kitchen to the bedroom.

Keep the menu simple: Focus on things you can prepare ahead of time, hot foods that cook fast, like scrambled eggs, ready-made pastries or bagels, and things that are good at room temperature, like fruit, yogurt, and granola.

LAZY MORNING MUST-HAVES

STURDY DISHES

Choose bowls and mugs with wide bottoms for stability, and plates that are large enough to catch crumbs.

A CARAFE OR SMALL PITCHER FOR REFILLS

Include extra coffee, juice, or water so you don’t need to run back to the kitchen for a top-off.

Avoid using stemmed glasses or anything top heavy that might tip over.

A GLASS FOR FLOWERS

Keep decorations minimal. A single flower or petite bouquet in a bottle, water glass, or bud vase is perfect for small spaces.

AFTERNOON TEA

Traditionally served around three or four, tea and treats are a child-friendly alternative to cocktail hour. Use a tray to corral and carry a teapot, cups, milk, and sugar to the living or dining room.

AFTERNOON TEA BECAME POPULAR IN NINETEENTH-CENTURY ENGLAND. AS LEGEND GOES, IT STARTED WHEN ANNA MARIA RUSSELL, DUCHESS OF BEDFORD, NEEDED A PICK-ME-UP BETWEEN LUNCH AND A LATE DINNER. HER FRIENDS STARTED JOINING HER AND SOON IT BECAME A SOCIAL AFFAIR.

TEATIME NECESSITIES

TEAPOT

It doesn’t need to be from the same collection as the cups and saucers. Mix in vintage pieces or family heirlooms.

Include a pitcher or pot of hot water for those who like to dilute their tea.

TEACUPS & SAUCERS

Make sure each guest has his or her own teaspoon for stirring in cream and sugar.

DESSERT OR SALAD PLATES

Stack them and layer each with a cocktail

napkin to save space.

A SUGAR BOWL, CREAMER & SAUCER FOR LEMON SLICES

Pair loose sugar with a spoon, cubes with tongs, and citrus with a small fork.