Gathering for a Summer Gardening Tea
HATS ~ HATS ~ HATS ~ HATS ~ HATS
Lots of color should radiate from table presentations this summer! Gardening is a growing pastime among all ages, so incorporate the tools, clothing, hats and flowers into table décor and surrounding areas. I suggest you begin with gardening themes as your building block. Next, add color schemes. From there, let your creativity soar! If you are having a large tea gathering, use a different garden theme at each table. My favorite suggestions include:
Garden Theme: Flower Pots
Color scheme - shades of blue, pink and white
Centerpieces - potted flowers
Garden Theme: Gardening Clothes
Color scheme - purple and lime green
Centerpieces – potted plants, garden gloves and straw hats
Garden theme: Gardening Tools
Color scheme – multi
Centerpieces – mixed flowers, miniature or small gardening tools and seed packets
Garden theme: Vegetable Garden
Color scheme – yellow, red, green
Centerpieces – baskets of flowers accented with garden veggies
Gardening supplies and decorating materials for a gardening theme are abundant throughout the spring and summer months. I keep a variety of themed storage containers for all my decorating materials. I purchase items throughout the year, especially on clearance tables at the end of each season! It doesn't take long to fill up the containers! Creative gardening theme materials include:
- gardening aprons
- gardening gloves
- straw-hats (variety of sizes)
- miniature straw-hat napkin rings
- scarves
- garden and flower themed fabric (use fabric squares as toppers
on tables to enhance the centerpieces and/or for napkins)
- gardening tools (miniature and regular for variety)
- baskets
- flowerpots
- seed packets
Table Presentations
While decorating for a formal tea presentation has its creative outlets, fun is on the menu for our “gardening” table décor! Bring out outdoorsy and colorful items along with garden paraphernalia to transform your table presentation into a tea table "greenhouse".
Decorations & Materials
Straw-hats and gardening definitely go together! Scarves and strips of fabric make a quick and easy way to decorate hats for this summer theme. Tie the scarf in one of many bow designs or knots. To that, silk flowers or artificial fruit can be added for a more elaborate decoration. The key is…color! The typical straw-hat from a craft store is inexpensive. Rims can be cut in various widths. Straw-hats also come in sizes beginning at 2”. Incorporate different sizes as you decorate. The tiny straw-hats make charming napkin rings and the base for a corsage. For more fun, have decorated straw-hats available for your guests to wear during the tea gathering. Or, invite your guests to decorate and bring their own. Award prizes for the biggest, most colorful, creative, etc. Miniature straw-hat flower corsages also make very sweet tea gathering gifts. Carry the garden theme throughout your tea gathering!
A Special Note from Lady Grace…
Summer is a season that affords us considerable time to spend with others. Whether under a shady tree, basking in the sun on a sandy beach, or in the cool of an air-conditioned room (when everything else is melting in the 100° weather outside), there are many places and opportunities for friends to get together. Summer treats await us. Indoors or outdoors, plan a summer tea gathering. Create an atmosphere for your tea gathering that is cheerful and bright...tables that are charming and inviting...offer your guests a refreshing experience! It will give you and your guests something "warm" to remember and smile about when the chill of winter once again settles in.
Return to top of page.
Return to Tea Gatherings.
