Spring will soon be on its way. When the delicate flowers of the first crocus begin to emerge through the cold ground, we know that spring is making her debut. Baby animals begin to arrive into this changing new landscape we call “springtime.” Where the white of winter has grown increasingly bland and dreary, a new season forges color and life back into our daily lives.
Creating a tea gathering for springtime opens the door for pastel and vibrant colors, flowers, butterflies, fragrant smells and special foods. Let's create a tea gathering that celebrates the spirit of springtime. We will begin with the backdrop for our tea gathering, the table presentation. Once we have painted our backdrop, we will compose an elegant menu, which will include the recipes for our selected entremets. Finally, we will wrap-up with fun ideas to add a special touch to our springtime tea gathering.
A Springtime Table Presentation
When I think of spring---flowers, butterflies and pastel to bright colors come to mind. A theme should focus around “workable” ideas. We want our search for theme materials to be easy, convenient and affordable. With this in mind, we will work with a butterfly and flower spring theme. Resources and materials to support this theme are plentiful. Craft stores, discount and “dollar” stores usually offer a variety of materials to accommodate many themes. I purchase materials all year long to add to a growing collection of materials for numerous themes.
Color Scheme
A flowing color scheme should be evident when guests enter your home. For larger group tea gatherings, create 2-3 different table presentations, all tied into one color scheme and theme. The dishes may differ, as well as the flower arrangements, but all the table presentations flow into the one color scheme and theme. For our springtime tea gathering, we will use a color scheme found in butterfly dishes we will be incorporating into the table setting. The color scheme will be fuchsia, purple and blue.
Linens
For our main tablecloth and napkins, we will choose blue. Rich colors for the tablecloths can either enhance or overpower the dishes. Our butterfly dishes have a creamy white background with raised butterflies, flowers and dragonflies. It is not a “busy” pattern because the objects are large enough to notice at a short distance. The blue tablecloth will draw out the colors from the white background. We will also use a smaller white tablecloth as a topper. This will enhance the use of blue napkins. A blue napkin can also be centered on the table and topped with a simple Battenberg napkin or hanky for an added effect, if desired. This makes a lovely background for a flower arrangement. The layering will add dimension to our table presentation, with just enough color to enhance the dishes and flower arrangement.
Napkins
There are endless ways to fold a napkin! A few napkin books make a very worthwhile investment. It is amazing how a simple item like a napkin can make a dramatic difference in the table presentation. Purchase a napkin book and spend a couple of hours making several of the folds. You will discover an enjoyable and simple way to add a classy look to your tables. For our springtime table, we will make napkin rings for added flair. My suggestion for a napkin ring is a 1” fuchsia pink, wired ribbon tied into a “ring.” The excess ribbon can be cut leaving 1” tails. We will make rings with silk butterflies and/or rings with silk flowers, all incorporating our color scheme. We will use small silk ivy on both rings as a background for the butterflies and flowers. It is a simple process of snipping and gluing. For more accents, we can pull the corners of the smaller white tablecloth through additional napkin rings. Any of the leftover materials can be used to further accent our table presentation. Another nice option is a “fan” fold.
Dishes
Since we plan to serve an elegant fare of foods, we have the option to use a plain formal dinner plate with matching cup and saucer. Or, we can choose to accent with the whimsical butterfly plate. We also have the option of using a butterfly cup and saucer if we find we want to pull more of the butterfly theme onto the table. For teapots, we will use the matching formal and butterfly teapots. All other glassware will be clear, decorative glass for condiments, sugar and creamers. Don't feel like expensive china is a "must-have" for tea gatherings. A simple table setting flows into a impressive tea table by adding "fluff" to it. Building variety into your dish inventory opens the creative possibilities. One of my favorite dishes for a tea gathering is a set of glass party dishes I have been collecting for a number of years from secondhand and antique stores. Trimmed with scalloped edges and a grape theme, each plate has a place for the teacup. Any color scheme can be used and the dishes grace a tea table simply, yet beautifully. Don't limit your possibilites...make your possibilites limitless!
Flower Arrangements
I was fortunate that my tea catering business partner, Val, was a florist. We always used fresh flower arrangements on our tables. We used a variety of arrangements from baskets and vases to topiaries. Silk arrangements are another option. I learned wonderful things to do with flowers from Val. A good resource and information person may be your local florist. If you prefer to make your own arrangements, take a class at the local community college. Many resources are also available online and in libraries. A centerpiece is very important because it completes a table. For our springtime table, we will keep it simple by making a fresh flower, basket arrangement. We will use a variety of flowers pulling in colors from our pink/purple/blue color scheme and add a cheerful fushia bow. Other small colored flowers will make nice filler along with greens. Adding touches like silk butterflies tie the theme together. Another option, a vase arrangement, is very easy to make and is oftentimes my first choice. Always use shorter vases. Tall arrangements can block the view between guests. Whatever you choose for your arrangment, be colorful!
Tea Blessings
We want to send our guests away with a small gift to remind them of their springtime tea gathering. One of my favorite gifts to leave at each place setting is a “tea blessing.” The blessing can be a proverb, quote, line of poetry, or special saying. We will create “tea blessings” focusing on our springtime theme and print on light pink paper. The cut out dimension of each tea blessing will be about 2 ½”x 3”. We will roll up and tie each blessing with a thin, fuchsia pink, ribbon...use your imagination! Tea blessings can be placed on each saucer in front of the teacups, above or to the side of the place setting.
Making Memories for Your Guests
Children are not the only ones who delight in special surprises! Make memories for your guests that will remind them of your special tea celebration. It can be as simple as…placing one special sticker under a dish or cup at the table for a surprise gift. Young and old alike never outgrow the excitement of surprises. Surprise suggestions may include a tea gift...a scone mix, tea cookies or a specialty tea. For very special occasions, place a one-of-a-kind sticker under a guest’s seat and present the recipient with a corsage or the table flower arrangement. Your gift does not need to be extravagant or costly. A simple flower from your garden, tied with a ribbon, and set at each place setting makes a thoughtful memory.
Celebrate! If there is any occasion to theme a celebration, seize the opportunity to create a tea presentation to “wow” your guests. The rewards for your extra effort will be countless---a smile, an “oooo-ahhh”, a twinkle in the eye, a nod of delight, a warm and heart-felt “thank-you”. The participants in your tea celebration will remember you for it. Our fast paced lives welcome the chance to slow down and enjoy the wonderment of a celebration…including the changing of the seasons. When we pour out our talents to touch others, it leaves room in our lives for others to pour out their talents to touch us. Celebrate!
Everyone is ready for spring to arrive!
Gathering for a Springtime Tea
A Special Note from Lady Grace…
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