How to Host a Mother's Day Tea Party
Mother's Day is just around the corner (May 12th this year!), and what better way to show your appreciation for the special women in your life than with a charming tea party? A tea party offers a touch of elegance, delicious treats, and an opportunity to create lasting memories. Don't worry, it doesn't need to be an elaborate affair. With a little planning and inspiration, you can host a Mother's Day tea party that's both memorable and stress-free.
Setting the Scene
Choosing a Theme: Consider your mum's preferences and the overall vibe you want.
Some of our favourite themes:
- Classic Vintage Tea Party: Transport your guests back in time with a classic vintage tea party theme. Decorate your space with delicate lace tablecloths, vintage teacups, and floral arrangements in antique vases. Serve traditional tea party fare like cucumber sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and assorted petit fours on tiered cake stands.
- Whimsical Garden Gathering: Embrace the beauty of nature with a whimsical garden gathering theme. Host your tea party outdoors in a lush garden or park adorned with fairy lights, bunting, and floral garlands. Set up picnic blankets or vintage tables and chairs for guests to lounge on while enjoying their tea and treats. Offer a selection of floral-infused teas and serve fresh, garden-inspired dishes like herb-infused salads, fruit tarts, and tea-infused cocktails.
- Enchanted Fairytale Tea Party: Let your imagination run wild with an enchanted fairytale tea party theme. Transform your space into a magical wonderland filled with twinkling lights, whimsical decorations, and mystical creatures. Set up themed stations and activities for guests to explore, such as a Mad Hatter's tea party area or a fairy garden for children. Serve whimsically themed treats like "Eat Me" cupcakes, "Drink Me" potions, and enchanted forest-inspired desserts.
The Main Attraction – The Tea!
No afternoon tea party is complete without a selection of teas to tantalise the taste buds and wow your guests. Here are our top recommendations:
- French Earl Grey Tea: A classic for every tea party! Indulge in the floral and fruity notes of our French Earl Grey tea, featuring a blend of black tea infused with bergamot, delicate rose petals & lavender with hints of mango.
- Mint Choc Chai Tea: Treat your guests to the irresistible combination of refreshing mint and decadent cacao nibs in our Mint Choc Chai tea, perfect for those with a sweet tooth. It's also a great idea to have a mint tea on offer for after you have indulged in a few sweet treats.
- Blue Magic Tea: Add a touch of magic to your tea party with our Blue Magic tea, a mesmerising blend of butterfly pea flower, chamomile, and rose petals. Watch as it brews into a natural blue hue, turning purple with a squeeze of lemon. It tastes like a Turkish delight and feels like love in a cup!
- Berry Green Tea: No tea party is complete without a green tea in your offering! Our berry green tea that is a sencha green, with subtle hints of strawberry, raspberry and currants is a great option as it is a palatable and lightly sweet green tea all guests will enjoy.
Brewing Tips: Whether you're serving hot teas or iced variations, proper brewing makes a difference. Provide instructions for the optimal water temperature and steeping time for each tea type.
The Presentation: Iced teas look lovely in glass pitchers with fruit slices. Use your most beautiful teapots for hot teas. Aim for a mix of delicate teacups – matching sets are classic, while a charmingly eclectic mix of vintage finds adds personality.
A little bit extra: Make your tea party truly sparkle with the addition of gold sugar. Sprinkle a pinch of shimmering gold sugar into each teacup before serving to add a touch of glamour and elegance. Not only does it look beautiful, but it also adds a subtle hint of sweetness to your tea, elevating the experience for your guests.
Delightful Treats
Tea Party Staples: Simple finger sandwiches are a must – think cucumber and cream cheese or egg salad. Scones with clotted cream and jam are essential! Offer a variety of mini pastries like fruit tarts, macarons, or petit fours for a touch of sweetness.
Something Special: Elevate your spread with a 'wow factor' treat! This could be a beautifully decorated cake, individual pavlovas, or a stunning tiered fruit platter.
Balance Sweet and Savoury: Include a few savoury options to offset all the sweetness. Mini quiches, smoked salmon rolls, or a simple cheese board provide a tasty contrast.
High Tea Hamper by Edible Blooms: Our friends at Edible Blooms have curated the perfect High Tea Hampers, ideal for complementing your afternoon tea. Filled with an assortment of sweet treats such as gourmet donuts and chocolates it's the perfect accompaniment to our tea selections. Treat yourself and your guests to a luxurious high tea experience that's sure to impress.
Check out their Gourmet High Tea Hampers here.
Beyond the Food & Tea
Guest Considerations: Think about the number of guests and if it'll be a mix of ages. Be mindful of dietary restrictions – offering gluten-free or vegan options ensures everyone feels included.
Thoughtful Touches: Small favours like a mini gold sugar to make your tea sparkle or sachets of dried lavender make lovely parting gifts. Handwritten place cards add a personal touch to the table setting.
Activities (Optional): If kids are included, have simple crafts on hand. For an adult gathering, a lighthearted quiz about famous mothers throughout history or even in movies could be fun. You could even have a prize for the 'best-dressed' guest!
Stress-Free Planning
Give Yourself a Clear Timeline: Plan what you can do the week before, the day before, and what needs to be done on the day of the party. Think about ordering any specialty teas or pre-prepared items in advance, baking scones and making sandwich fillings the day before, and brewing teas on the day.
Delegate: Don't try to do everything yourself! Ask your family to help with the set up and cleaning up.
Online Shopping Advantage: Ordering the perfect tea blends and even beautifully packaged treats online can save you time and effort.
Remember, the goal is a relaxed and memorable gathering to celebrate the special women in your life. Don't be afraid to customise the tea party to suit your style and your Mum's personality.