Teatime may be an old-fashioned concept, but little girls love the time-honored tradition as much now as their moms (and maybe even grandmas) did decades ago. Staging a tea party is a great way for tots to bond with friends and put that creativity and imagination to use. There are many different tea-set designs to suit your child's style. Shop on to find the one that's right for her, and bring the party home!
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas (meaning, it's freezing!) in the Midwest and on the East Coast, so when Cristina Hermelin of Chic Up Your Party sent us photos of this gorgeous baby shower, thrown in the countryside in Portugal, we were not only inspired — we also started planning our next vacation! "Mom-to-be Lara has the most beautiful house set in the north of Portugal, surrounded by orange trees and sweet countryside flowers," Cristina says. "It was a unique setting to celebrate."
Cristina used Lara's vintage china and decor to create a sophisticated tea party, but the real star was the natural surroundings. "Using the countryside colors of sweet orange, green, and pink produced the most beautiful ambience," Cristina says. Keep clicking to check out the lovely details, captured by photographer Catarina Zimbarra.
Source: Chic Up Your Party
"During college, I spent a rainy month in London. Without a real purpose for being there, I aimlessly strolled through museums, read The Bell Jar in Hyde Park, saw American Psycho in a fancy movie theater, and as many West End shows as I could. But despite the great surroundings, I was lonely, lost. I found great comfort in the ritual of the afternoon tea," says Annie Campbell of Après Fête.
This British tradition was the inspiration for the classic high tea shower that Annie hosted for her friend, Frannie, prior to the birth of her baby girl. Click through to see how Annie pulled together this very proper tea-time affair.
Clockwise from top left: Porcelian Tea Set ($17), Tin Tea Set ($20), It's a Party Tea Set ($12), Children's Tea for Two Set ($40), Rosanna Tea For Me Too Set ($50)
Whenever I decide to host a party the first thing I do is look for inspiration. It can be found anywhere, but I always enjoy checking out pictures of other people's parties for ideas. I love looking at party pics so much I have created a group — Super Special Occasions — on TeamSugar where you can share all of your party pics with me.
If you're hosting a child's birthday party, be inspired by the 8th birthday party just donna recently threw her daughter. The tea party has a girlie, fun pastel color theme. The menu involves crustless sandwiches that are cut into age appropriate festive shapes, and a variety of dainty cupcakes. To check out all the pics from her adorable party, read more
It's pretty obvious that tea will be the beverage of choice at this baby shower whether you choose to serve it piping hot or iced with lemon.
And, what goes better with the herbal elixir than savory finger sandwiches and sugary treats? From the traditional cucumber to the more worldly roasted turkey and mango chutney, tea sandwiches are a fun way for guests to sample several flavors on a plate.
Get creative with the nibblers by shaping them into bottles, teddy bears and baby feet with cookie cutters. To see what's for dessert, read more
Tea parties can be old–fashioned, sophisticated or modern and cool – it's up to you. Set the tone for your tea party baby shower with cups and saucers that fit the mood. Spruce up your wares with these designs that keep things simple and aren't a huge expense.
Forgo traditional flower arrangements and make blossoming tea your centerpiece.
Available in a variety of colorful blends that are sold in boxes ($9), the edible eye candy doubles as a conversation piece.
And, the delightful aromas linger in the air leaving your place party ready and smelling like jasmine, lavender, rose, citrus or whichever other scent you prefer.
To see more blossoming teas, read more
If you're on board with the tea party theme, you might want to check out these simple and creative invitations that I crafted with supplies from my favorite paperie, Paper Source.
To see how to make them, read more
Just a spoonful of sugar helps celebrate baby!
Whether you know a mama-to-be that was born with a silver spoon in her mouth or one that is into all things herbal, consider toasting a cup 'o tea in her honor.
Since tea is available in a wide range of varieties, you can go traditional classy with a silver service, petit fours and crumpets or shabby chic with mismatched cups and saucers and flavorful finger sandwiches or modern sassy with sleek sippers and fresh innovative eats. To see other ideas, read more
