My friend Ashley (since-junior-high, not to be confused with our Ruffled Mango Ashley) and I have been tea partying together for many years now…way before she had two daughters even. But now that she does, the tea parties have only gained in popularity around her house. I’m always thrilled to join in…because tea parties are just my favorite. 😉
We both subscribe to TeaTime magazine and enjoy chatting about different recipes we could try for a small tea party here and there or the BIG fundraising tea party that I co-chair every May. A couple of weeks ago, Ashley had been flipping through the Valentine’s Day issue of TeaTime and was immediately smitten with the pinks and reds and delicious-sounding recipes…and decided to throw a Valentine’s tea party. Even the guys wanted to attend. (They may not appreciate the girly decor as we do, but they know we make good food. 😉 ) Most of the guests were family, but Jeremy and I are usually counted as family, too, luckily. 😉
Ashley and both of her daughters each have their own china pattern that they collect. Ashley’s is Old Country Roses (Royal Albert), Ella’s is Blue Italian (Spode), and Ava’s is from the New Country Roses Pink Vintage Collection (also Royal Albert). How much do I love this idea?? So much. The girls learn to take care of nice china at a young age, gift-givers are able to easily add to their collection, and they are able to use their collection to bless others by hostessing parties at their house. Such sweet mother-daughter bonding time. Makes me smile!
Our menu:
Traditional Cucumber sandwiches
Roasted Red Pepper tea sandwiches (from Tea Time magazine)
Pesto Chicken Salad sandwiches
Turkey and cheddar sandwiches
Pan de queso (a sort of cheesy bread – Ashley’s family were missionaries in Paraguay for 5 years)
White Chocolate Scones (recipe to come)
Strawberry Honey Butter (recipe to come)
Cherry Almond cupcakes
Macarons (from Provence in Nashville, TN)
Brownie Bites
Strawberries and grapes with citrus fruit dip and chocolate dip
Our Tea Choices:
Buckingham Palace Garden Party
Cream Earl Grey
Peach
Assam
This was SUCH a delightful Valentine’s tea party and I would do it again in a heartbeat! Everything on the menu was delicious and it was just plain lovely to sit together and visit that afternoon. Even after we finished eating, we ladies especially kept pouring yet another cup of tea and lingering happily at the tea table.
Even if you don’t have any of the china with pink roses (I don’t either!), you could absolutely use a white teapot and teacups – or sweet little mismatched teacups. Marshalls, TJMaxx, Ross, or HomeGoods are marvelous places to source these kinds of things for great prices! Adding pops of red and pink with heart-shaped paper doilies is extremely easy! I also highly recommend a red tablecloth. It made everything for this Valentine’s tea party looks so festive.
For an even easier (and cheaper) tea table set up, especially with smaller children, find a cute plastic tablecloth in a Valentine’s pattern. Grab coordinating paper plates and napkins, pour juice into plastic cups, put out store-bought sugar cookies and strawberries, and voila! Your kids will still think it’s the best thing ever! You don’t have to go ALL OUT for a Valentine’s tea party (though it IS fun!) but just a little something out-of-the-ordinary will thrill your kiddos and they’ll feel so special. I promise. ❤️
Here’s to making sweet memories, whatever your style and budget! ☕️
Pin it!
Some of the links above are affiliate links for your convenience, which means I would get a very small commission if you purchased anything through them. Much thanks! ~Kristen
