As in an informal meal with sandwiches, cakes?

We want to ask someone over to visit but don't want to do the wholecome for dinner thing. Tea, with a cup of tea, sandwiches, crumpets, slice of Dundee cake or Battenburg would be ideal.

Shall i go all ethnic or what would a cradle do?

Molson, poutine, timbits and a hockey game on TV?

Don't call it anything. Just invite them over and then bring out the food and beverages.

Our neighbour, bless her, calls it "nibbles". Come over for a glass of wine (obligatory) and nibbles. Which is way more than a bowl of crisps and some dip.

Afternoon tea.

Oooh crumpets

Depends on the guests but "afternoon tea" or "nibbles" both sound like a good way to describe the kind of get together. Another possibility could be doing a brunch. Or a coffee morning.

People that are too cheap to invite you to dinner so ask you to come to 'tea' - that's what grinds my gears! ....oops sorry wrong thread.

One guest, a real artist who has said he would like to visit my studio. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by this.

Nibbles, or say nothing and bring out the grub. Ok, ta.

You are a real artist too, a "real artist" (as opposed to an art critic or connoisseur) would not question you capability.

I've seen some of your work. You are indeed a "proper" artist

A real artist would invite another real artist over for some opium and filthy sex.

Why is it one way around for one and another way around for the other?

And if Brunch is between breakfast and lunch does Luea come in the afternoon?

...and I read recently that "brunch" is actually a British word coined in the 19th century,

From the many comments on this forum it seems to me that many (most) Brits are quite cheap.