{"id":7169,"date":"2017-04-05T06:00:08","date_gmt":"2017-04-05T10:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.elfster.com\/?p=7169"},"modified":"2023-02-10T14:02:51","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T19:02:51","slug":"whimsical-english-high-tea-party-ideas-for-a-non-traditional-spring-birthday-celebration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elfster.com\/blog\/2017\/04\/05\/whimsical-english-high-tea-party-ideas-for-a-non-traditional-spring-birthday-celebration\/","title":{"rendered":"Whimsical English High Tea Party Ideas for a Non-Traditional Spring Birthday Celebration"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cDrink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves \u2014 slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.\u201d – Thich Nat Hahn<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"nontraditional<\/a>
Whimsy and tea | Image courtesy Unsplash user delfi de la Rua<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I love everything that tea parties stand for\u2014the warmth, the conversation, the feel-good nature of them. I have similar feelings about birthday parties, so once I came up with the idea to combine the two, I was one happy gal.<\/p>\n

I threw an all-ages high tea gathering for my sister\u2019s 30th birthday last year so we could include my niece, who was still a toddler at the time. It was intimate and hosted outdoors, with whimsical twists on traditional food and decor. I added a few touches of magic to the surroundings by way of bright whites and flowers, put my own creative spin on the tea sandwiches, added a charcuterie spread, and even included an interactive dessert that allowed both parents and their little ones to express their artistic freedom through cupcakes.<\/p>\n

The birthday celebration itself wasn\u2019t exactly traditional, but I wanted to somehow still give the guests the feel of a classic English high tea party, so I sent them home with party favor bags of scones and preserves to have the next morning with a warm mug of Earl Grey. It was a quiet gathering filled with softly spoken conversations that left time for tea-drinking and all the goodness it brings\u2014most importantly, enjoying the company and companionship of those you\u2019re with.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some ideas on how to recreate the gathering yourself. Here\u2019s to throwing <\/span>a tea party even Alice would be proud of<\/span><\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n

Magic and Whimsy Wherever You Go<\/h4>\n
\"flower<\/a>
Flowers + Tea Pots = Whimsy | Image courtesy Unsplash user Shruthi Gowda<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It honestly doesn\u2019t take much imbue a party with an air of magic and whimsy. This celebration can be hosted indoors or out. Here are three tips that will take any space from mundane to magnificent:<\/span><\/p>\n

Tip #1:<\/b> Shop around at vintage and antique shops in search of old tea pots. Or, gather them from family and friends so they hold memories and stories within them. Use these as your floral bouquet holders and when the party is over, send each guest home with one, or with their borrowed kettle now full of wildflowers. <\/span><\/p>\n

Tip #2:<\/b> White naturally adds whimsy to any space. Go for big bunches of white helium balloons around the table and in the background. Use white fabric for your tablecloth and napkins. Bring out your clean, white plates and cups to serve from. Keep it easy and minimal, adding only a few pastels here and there. Add clear twinkle lights if you\u2019d like; even during the day, twinkle lights tend to add a special touch to your surroundings. <\/span><\/p>\n

Tip #3:<\/b> Fancy things up with rustic greenery and twigs. Sprigs of lavender always look beautiful, too, if you have them available to you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Serving a Spread to Delight and Surprise<\/h4>\n

Fun and fancy is the golden rule for classic tea party food. But, I like to bring some twists to the traditional in two ways. First, I jazz up the tea sandwiches, avoiding the expected cucumber and cream cheese or chicken salad options. Then, I take bread and butter to the next level by adding a simple charcuterie spread to the table. Here\u2019s my idea of a modern high tea snack:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"charcuterie<\/a>
A simply beautiful charcuterie spread | Image courtesy Unsplash user Jessica Ruscello<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Classic Charcuterie Spread<\/b><\/p>\n

In addition to your bread and butter, add jams, nuts, hunks of cheese, sliced apples, an assortment of salami, and other in-season fruits. A spread like this will make your table look beautiful, but it will also give your guests variety with a side of surprise.<\/p>\n

Fresh Caprese Tea Sandwiches<\/b><\/p>\n

I like to make mine with fresh basil, a slice of mozzarella, a thick tomato slice, a drizzle of balsamic, and some black pepper and sea salt. Any kind of bread will do, but I prefer soft sliced bread cut into triangles to evoke traditional tea sandwiches.<\/p>\n

Fanciful PB&J<\/b><\/p>\n

I spread natural peanut butter and <\/span>an assortment of homemade jams<\/span><\/a> onto white bakery bread. Then, I use cookie cutters to cut them into fun shapes, like hearts and stars. <\/span><\/p>\n

When you serve your spread, don\u2019t forget the tea! And, most importantly, the dessert…<\/p>\n

Build Your Own Cupcake Bar<\/h4>\n

A hands-on activity (especially one that involves a sugar high) is great if young guests are starting to get tired from the tea, the chatting, and the sitting.<\/p>\n

\"DIY<\/a>
A delightful DIY cupcake stand | Image courtesy Etsy seller myEroom<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First things first, before I build the cupcakes, though, I like to build the cupcake stands. For this DIY birthday show stopper, I suggest going thrifting to find a few colorful China plates and tea cups. In addition, you can also reach out to friends and family to see if they have any they\u2019re looking to get rid of so you can upcycle them.<\/p>\n

To create the cake stand, all you have to do is glue the plate to the cup and there you have it\u2014one single-tiered plate stand. <\/span><\/p>\n

Then comes the tasty part! For the cupcake bar ingredients, I like to bake up vanilla cupcakes and set out an assortment of colored buttercream frostings. Pastel colors, in particular, seem to add that extra fanciful element to a tea party, along with the vintage china. <\/span><\/p>\n

For the toppings, I focus on all things sprinkles! I like to mix and match white bowls brimming with pastel sprinkles, primary colored sprinkles, and shaped sprinkles, too. You can, of course, add more toppings to your cupcake bar. I just love the simplicity of a \u201csprinkle\u201d of color on a plain white cupcake. But here are some other interesting ideas for unexpected toppings:<\/span><\/p>\n