How to plan the best afternoon tea for Mother’s Day

With hospitality across the U.K still closed for March, for those of us celebrating Mother’s Day we will have to be more creative and think how we can make it special at home. An afternoon tea is the perfect way to treat your Mum but if you’ve never hosted a tea party before, it might be hard to know where to start. Here are my top tips to help you host the perfect afternoon tea at home. 

Guest list

With the current covid restrictions limiting the number of households, work out how many guests you are allowed to have and who you need to invite. Perhaps you could invite some people to the garden (weather permitting) or host it virtually. 

Table settings

If it’s a small family gathering you may not want to have place settings but if two households are mixing then you will have to keep them separate. Instead of having to awkwardly direct one household to one side of the table instead, have a name card that groups that household together is a polite and elegant way to handle the seating arrangement. It’s such a lovely occasion you don’t need to be reminded about the pandemic so this is a good way to handle it. 

Decorations

A good place to start with the decorations is to ask your Mum. What are her favourite colours? My mother likes pastel shades so it would make sense to have a blue or yellow themed afternoon tea. On the other hand, think about your Mum’s hobbies and the things she enjoys. My mum is a keen artist so I might think about how I could include some art elements in the decoration. For example, use the easel to have a special sign for her or use the paintbrushes to make a fun table display. Depending on your mum and what she likes, then you can incorporate this into the decoration to make it extra special. 

Menu and Drinks

Thinking about your guest list, make sure you include any dietary requirements. Since your Mum is the guest of honour, then think about her favourite flavours and dishes. If she is a big fan of carrot cake, for example, make sure to include that on the menu. The same goes with the tea, pick your Mother’s favourite type of tea and make sure she is served the first cup. Thinking about other drink options, if she particularly likes cocktails or mocktails then why not include one of those too. 

Whether you opt for an afternoon tea delivery or decide to make your own, enjoy the day if your family. If you need some extra help, why not download a copy of the e-book “A beginner’s guide to afternoon tea at home.” 

Please make sure you adhere to the government guidelines in your jurisdiction.