A tea party is always a fun and classic way to celebrate virtually any occasion – baby and bridal showers, birthdays, Mother's Day, weddings, anniversaries – or just because! The best part? You can make it whatever you like, from a formal gathering to a casual get-together. Just have fun and enjoy!…
Setting the Tea Party Table
Here's the Bigelow checklist for what you'll need. Feel free to adapt it to your needs and to your special gathering.
- Teapots, one for each tea you’re serving
- A tea strainer if you’re using tea leaves
- Mugs or teacups and saucers
- Milk (not cream), lemon slices, honey, sugar and a small dish for placing used tea leaves or bags. Some people prefer artificial sweeteners, so it doesn't hurt to have some on the table or waiting in the wings.
- A pretty tablecloth and napkins
- Small plates, cake forks and teaspoons
- Serving pieces and utensils
- A centerpiece – simple is better. Need some ideas? Group pillar candles in different heights and widths on a tray. Pile a pedestal bowl high with clementines and lemon leaves. Float single grocery store roses in glass votive candleholders.
What to serve? What to serve?
Casual Tea
To drink, feel free to serve a variety of teas’ we’ve got special flavors for all. Some crowd-pleasing ideas are: English Teatime, Lemon Lift, Green Tea, Oolong, French Vanilla, and Perfect Peach Herb Tea. Make sure they're brewed correctly and if Iced is what you and your guests crave or a festive punch to pick up the energy level, check out our beverage recipes here! Also, watch our video or read how to make the perfect cup.
To satisfy the food menu, you don't have to go overboard. A casual tea calls for teacakes and breads, fresh fruit, scones with Devonshire cream and jam. You can even incorporate tea into your menu choices as well. Try
I Love Lemon® Quick Bread,
Earl Grey Tea Loaf and
Fabulous Melon and Blueberry Fruit Salad for extra fun and flavor
Formal Tea
A variety of teas work best. We suggest a few of our personal favorites:
Bigelow Earl Grey,
Constant Comment and
Plantation Mint, or a robust
Darjeeling, a rich
French Vanilla and our fruity
Chamomile Mango Herb Tea. Make sure you've brewed a perfect cup by
watching our video or
reading the steps here.
For the food portion of the menu, wow your guests with a timeless selection of finger sandwiches, canapés, light appetizers, fresh fruit, teacakes, tarts, cookies, petit fours, scones with Devonshire cream and jam all enhanced with Bigelow Tea as an important ingredient. We suggest
Miniature Vegetable Quiches,
I Love Lemon® Asparagus Wrapped in Smoked Salmon,
Perfect Peach Mustard Dipping Sauce,
Darjeeling & Dark Chocolate Pots and
Vanilla Caramel Tartlets.