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50+ Creative Mother’s Day Tea Party Ideas

Treat Mom to a delightful Mother’s Day tea party with our charming ideas and delicious recipes. Elevate the celebration with sweet treats and savory bites that will make her feel cherished and loved.

Celebrate Mom in style this Mother’s Day with a delightful tea party that she will cherish forever. 

Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a larger affair, a tea party offers a charming and elegant way to show your appreciation for all that she does. 

From traditional finger sandwiches to tasty treats, we’ve curated a collection of ideas and recipes to help you throw your own Mother’s Day tea party that Mom will adore.

What is Afternoon Tea?

Afternoon Tea or high tea, is a social gathering where guests are served tea, along with a variety of sweet and savory snacks. A traditional tea party is often a formal or semi-formal event that takes place in the afternoon, typically between 2 pm and 5 pm. An afternoon tea party can be hosted for a special occasion, such as a bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party, or Mother’s Day celebration. The tea parties originated in England in the 1800s and has since become popular worldwide.

With this handy guide, we’ll share ideas to help you make sure she feels loved on her special day! Happy Mother’s Day! 

How do you throw a Mother’s Day tea party?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you plan and host your own tea party:

  • Choose a date and time that works best for the guest of honor and your guests. Mother’s Day itself is a popular choice, but you can also host the tea party on a weekend before or after the holiday.
  • Design and send out Mother’s Day tea party invitations to your guests, either digitally or by mail, inviting them to the tea party. Include all the relevant details such as the date, time, location, dress code (if any), and RSVP information.
  • Consider selecting a theme for your Mother’s Day tea party to add an extra element of fun and cohesiveness to the event. Popular themes include garden roses, vintage, garden tea party, or even a specific color scheme.
  • Decide on the menu for the tea party, including a selection of teas, finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and desserts. Make sure to include Mom’s favorite treats.
  • Set a beautiful table with elegant tableware, linens, and fresh flowers to create an inviting and festive atmosphere. Use tiered serving pieces or cake stands to display the food and beverages in an attractive manner.
  • Bake or purchase the food and beverages for the tea party, and arrange them on the table before guests arrive. Brew the tea in advance and keep it warm in teapots or insulated carafes.


What do you serve at Mother’s Day tea?

At a Mother’s Day tea, you can serve an array of sweet and savory treats to delight Mom and your guests. Here are some Mother’s Day tea party ideas:

  • Finger Sandwiches: Offer a variety of tea sandwiches, such as cucumber and cream cheese, smoked salmon and dill, egg salad, and chicken salad. Cut them into small, bite-sized pieces for easy nibbling.
  • Scones: Serve warm scones with clotted cream, lemon curd, fresh berries and strawberry jam. Classic flavors like plain, fruit-filled, or even chocolate chip are always a hit.
  • Pastries: Include an assortment of pastries like petit fours, mini tarts, éclairs, and macarons for a touch of elegance and indulgence.
  • Tea Cakes: Bake a selection of tea cakes, such as lemon drizzle cake, almond tea cake, or classic pound cake, and slice them into small servings.
  • Fresh Fruit: Offer a refreshing fruit platter with seasonal fruits like strawberries, grapes, melon, and pineapple for a lighter option.
  • Serve a variety of beverages to cater to different tastes. Offer a selection of delicious tea – both hot tea and iced tea. Provide non-alcoholic options like lemonade and water with lemon or cucumber slices. For a celebratory touch, consider offering champagne or sparkling wine for a toast to Mom, along with a mimosa bar for guests to create their own cocktails. By offering a range of drinks, you’ll ensure that all guests can enjoy their favorite beverages while celebrating Mom’s special day.

How to decorate for Mother’s Day tea?

Decorating for a Mother’s Day tea party involves infusing the space with warmth and charm through thoughtful details.

  • Opt for a color palette of soft pastels and florals, such as pinks and whites, to evoke the beauty of springtime.
  • Use fresh flowers and vintage china to adorn the table, creating an elegant and inviting ambiance.
  • Personal touches like handwritten place cards and signage add a special touch, making Mom feel cherished.
  • Enhance the atmosphere with tea light candles and delicate floral garlands. Consider incorporating ribbons tied around chairs and vases filled with Mom’s favorite flowers for extra charm.
  • Lace doilies atop white linen tablecloths can add a touch of vintage elegance. Ultimately, strive to create a memorable setting that celebrates Mom and the love shared among family and friends.
Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

Activities & Fun     

Finally, no good tea party is complete without activities that will keep everyone entertained. A few ideas include playing board games like Clue or Pictionary, making floral crowns out of fresh spring flowers, doing a group craft project (like painting ceramic teacups), or even having a mild scavenger hunt around the house for hidden trinkets. No matter what activities you choose, make sure everyone has fun!  

When your guests leave, be sure to send them off with some party favors so that you can give your guests a little piece of your Mother’s Day Tea Party to take home and enjoy. Some ideas include:

  • Give your guests a selection of different teas to take home, so they can continue to enjoy the flavors they tried at your party.
  • Teacup candles make a charming and practical gift. You can purchase them pre-made or make them yourself during the Mother’s Day festivities using vintage china teacups.
  • Give your guests a pretty sachet filled with dried flowers or potpourri to place in their drawers or closets.
  • Share your favorite tea party recipes with your guests by creating recipe cards to include in their gift bags.
  • Miniature succulents are a cute and low-maintenance gift that your guests can take home and display on their windowsill or desk.
  • Handmade soaps in floral scents make a lovely and practical gift that your guests will appreciate.
  • Help your guests relax and unwind by gifting them with a small jar of homemade bath salts.
mini lemon bundt cakes

Try These Recipes: 

Hosting the perfect Mother’s Day Tea Party doesn’t have to be complicated; it just has to be heartfelt and memorable! Keep things simple yet elegant and focus on what matters most – spending quality time with the guest of honor while showing her how much she means to you! With these tips in hand, you’re all set to create a truly special experience that Mom won’t soon forget.  

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Mother's Day Tea Party Food Ideas

Looking for creative ideas to make this Mother's Day special? Check out these Mother's Day Tea Party Ideas! From delicious tea blends to DIY decorations, we've got you covered. Treat your mom to a memorable day with these thoughtful and fun suggestions.

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