Tea Party Favors

Martha Stewart

I usually like to send my guest home with something to remember the party by. These teacup candles are a great gift. If you're like me and do not have time to make 25 (give or take) candles in your nonexistent spare time I have an alternative idea for you. 

Buy mismatched teacups at your local antique store or flea market. Buy a nice votive candle to sit in the teacup and slip an envelope of tea next to it. Wrap the whole package in some pretty lace or sheer fabric and gather together with ribbon. Who would not enjoy candlelight with their tea?

Martha Stewart Weddings

Bundles of tea and some delicious cookies would make me a happy guest!

Martha Stewart Weddings

Instead of asking if they would like sugar in their tea, provide a stick of rock candy with their cup so they can control the sweetness.

Country Living

I hope that you have enjoyed this weeks posts and are inspired to host a tea party of your own.
Whether it be in your backyard or kitchen make sure you sip slowly and enjoy.

Flowers & Food Fit For Tea

Martha Stewart Weddings

Whenever I am waiting in line at my local Starbucks I am always drawn to the tea tins they have lining the counter. They all look exotic to me, as if each one has come from a distant land. Some may have traveled from great distances or just a state over but I like to let my imagination go every now and then.

This is why I love this idea of using tea tins as vases for your floral centerpieces. It completes the theme but also sends the mind whirling, trying to find the story behind the tea.

Country Living

Hydrangeas are a great centerpiece because of their delicate appearance and a few stems can fill a vase easily.

Country Living

I've always heard of cucumber sandwiches being served at tea parties. I'm not a fan of cucumbers but I do love little sandwiches. Adjust the menu to your taste and that of your guests.

Williams-Sanoma

Williams-Sanoma

Something sweet is a MUST at any party but definitely at a tea party. Miniature cupcakes are great for the bite-sized portions found at tea parties and these macaroons look decadent enough to eat more than just one.

Lilsugar

Finally, make sure you have a balance in your savory and sweet food. It is easy to sometimes favor one over the other. (I obviously favor the sweet!) 

The time of day that your party is held will help direct you towards your food choices. For example, some warm chocolate croissants would be great for a breakfast tea party. Pastry cups filled with chicken salad would be great for a luncheon tea party.

Mad Hatter Tea Party

Jessica Claire

I'm am VERY excited about this party theme. For me this encompasses imagination at it's best.
It is easy to go a little overboard with all the possibilities so I will give you some of my favorite ideas to start.

Honeybee Photography

This very easy centerpiece requires roses, a little paint, and playing cards. So easy and a great impact on the table!

Hello Naomi

Parisian Party

Pink of Perfection

These are just a few sweet options for you to serve at your tea party. I love the idea of putting the label's "eat me" and "drink me" on your food and beverages. The little details make a BIG impact in every party but especially this one.

Country Living

Pay a visit to your local flea market and yard sales and pick up mismatched tea cups, saucers, and teapots. Nothing needs to match for this party and the fancy detailing usually found on these items really dresses up the table.

Finish off your party with a game of croquet. A creative take on the game would be to buy plastic flamingos and have your guests use those as mallets.

The Mad Hatter Tea party emphasizes the mantra of "anything goes" so adhere to that when planning your party!

Outdoor/Garden Tea Party

Country Living

Now you may look at this picture and think, I do not own a single piece of furniture that would fall into the category of "fancy". Neither do I!!! This does not excuse you from not creating seating that is pleasing to the eye.

 House to Home

 Her Wedding Planner

A chair can be dressed up with flowers, a bow, or a linen slipcover. A very inexpensive decoration can turn a folding chair into a "fancy" chair fit for a tea party.

Country Living

I LOVE the idea of an informal tea. A game of croquet while sipping on tea sounds like my idea of fun!

Maya * Made

I think everyone should get dressed up every now and again. Include on your invitation that you would like for all of the ladies to wear their favorite hat and the men to wear a bow tie.
These newspaper hats are a great twist to the hat requisite.

Whether your party is simplistic or dressed to impress, have fun with it. Nobody enjoys a stuffy atmosphere at a party.

FYI about Tea

Pottery Barn Kids

I admit that when it comes to actually drinking tea I prefer it poured over ice and fairly sweet. There are times when a cup of nice warm tea soothes every muscle in my body or forces me to slow down and take a deep, relaxing breath. 

When researching the types of tea during a day I found two main categories.

Afternoon Tea

"Is a leisurely afternoon tea meal usually served in fine fashion and in several courses. Afternoon teas are generally more elegant than evening high teas. This is sometimes called 'low tea' because it was held at the low tables in the parlor."

High Tea

"Is a common British supper served after 5:30 and accompanied by a pot of tea. It was called high tea because it was served at the high or kitchen table."

* Definitions taken from Mrs. Hardesty's Tea Room *

Now that you are informed of the proper titles of tea times, feel free to throw a tea party any time of day (or evening after the kids are in bed) .

Let's Have Tea

Project Wedding

I think as with most little girls who see Disney's Alice in Wonderland for the first time or dream of being a princess wearing fancy clothes, we love the idea of tea parties.  Grown women and little girls love to dress up in their best, eat petite food, and drink a cup of tea with their pinkies raised. It is the ultimate definition of decadence and indulgence for me.

This week I will be defining the many different types of tea celebrations and providing some inspiring idea's for food, decor and themes for your next tea. 

Be prepared for some sophistication and fun!

Pampering Baby Shower

Spark PR & Events

I saw this idea for a Mother's Day party on The Party Dress blog and thought it would be a great idea for a baby shower as well. I do not know of a mother or woman that doesn't love to get their nails done. This party was held at a salon. For those of us who are on a budget that doesn't afford for a trip to the beauty salon for roughly 25 of your closest gal pals I would suggest hiring a manicurist to come to your party location for an allotted time. Each lady will then have their nail polish to take home with them as a party favor!

Mimosas were served at this party and I would suggest serving non-alcoholic mimosas for a morning shower or a nice non-alcoholic sangria for an afternoon shower.

Keep the food light with options such as angel food cake and berries verses a heavy dessert and lots of veggies and fruits for the complimentary food. 

Spark PR & Events

You have read how I love the idea of a Wishing Tree. I love this idea of putting pictures of mom's with their children on the tree as a centerpiece. This idea can be used for so many other types of parties not just baby showers or mother's day parties.

Vintage Surf / Beach Themed Baby Showers

The Tomkat Studio

Martha Stewart

For all of you who know me you had to guess that I would have a beach themed baby shower post some time this week. With warmer weather around the corner this theme fits the season. The vintage surf baby shower by the TomKat Studio is adorable! I love the light blue and red combination that was used to decorate for the party.

The oh-so-versatile cupcake works with any theme and is perfect for those of us who despises cutting up a big cake at parties. I loved the shark and beach cupcakes found at Martha Stewart.

Martha Stewart

For mom's expecting a little girl I like the idea of using varying shades of orange and pink. The soft look of pom poms adds a feminine touch. 

Photo by Lisa

2 chix

Try a different take on the baby clothesline and hang cute bathing suits up instead of the onesies and bibs. Little boys swimming trunks would be adorable as well as a little snorkeling set.

The possibilities are endless and I plan to explore many of them!

Butterfly Themed Baby Shower - Success

Butterfly Wishing Tree

The Butterfly themed baby shower could not of been held on a more beautiful day. The sun was shining (almost too brightly...some of us melted) and there was a gentle breeze that rustled the butterfly wind chimes hanging in the tree.

My first attempt at a Wishing tree turned out very well I thought. The very center of the cylinder is filled with disc shaped styrofoam and is then surrounded by rocks that I had left over from a previous project. The pebble sized moss was a great find at the Dollar Tree and will most definitely be used for future projects. This would be a great table centerpiece but at on a much smaller scale.

Personalized Sugar cookies

Each guest had a bag containing a cookie with their name on it and if their child or children accompanied them there was a cookie with their name as well. They were a lot of work but a great personal touch to the baby shower.

This is a small section of the food buffet. I am very thrilled with the diversity that glass jars possess. I can dress them up for any occasion and they hold odd shaped treats perfectly. This jar of chocolate covered pretzels was a big hit with the children. 

This week I will be showing you some great baby shower theme's and ideas. The wonderful thing with baby shower theme's is that most of them can be used as 1st birthday party theme's as well!

Regardless, just have fun with it and it will show in your party.

Butterfly Themed Baby Shower - Decor

Martha Stewart

There is something about celebrating the sweetness of a new baby coming into the world that turns my insides to mush. Whether it is the mom's 1st, 2nd, 3rd....or more (God bless you!) every baby is worth celebrating.

This weekend I will be helping to host a Butterfly themed baby shower for a dear friend who is expecting a little girl this summer. Butterflies elicit a sense of delicateness, wonderment and beauty. All things also encompassed in babies!

Hostess with the Mostess

Hostess with the Mostess

I fell in love with this idea of leaving wishes for the mother-to-be and baby on tree branches. 

What a wonderful gift to be able to read all of the well wishes and support from your friends and family after all of the cake has been eaten and the last present opened. 

These are just a few of the inspiration idea's I will be using for the baby shower.

Puppy Birthday Party - Success

Littlest Pet Shop Birthday Cake by Lisa

I have to admit that being able to use my daughter's toys for decoration was very nice to have. I did not even think of it until I was setting up the table and then I realized I would have to ask "permission" to use her beloved toys. Luckily she was so excited to be involved in the whole process of putting her party together that she sprinted to find her toys before I could finish asking her the question.

The popcorn containers were filled with my daughter's favorite kettle popcorn. I have served popcorn before but never in their designated containers. This was great, especially for the young ones, to have something they could hold in their lap instead of trying to steady a plate full of sweets.

Scooby Snacks

Chocolate covered pretzel rods. A birthday party necessity!

Dirt dessert with candy dog bones. This was my favorite dessert I must say.

My pennant banner success. I found the puppy print fabric at our local Walmart. Very easy to put together even without sewing skills. I should know!

My first attempt at making a banner turned out pretty well I thought. I have made another for the baby shower I am helping to host this coming weekend that I will post next week. 

This birthday party was a big success in my mind. With a large dose of my daughter's bright imagination, lot's of sugar, and plenty of smiles I think year 4 was welcomed perfectly.

*Pictures taken by Lisa & Kevin*