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Mix up your holiday routine and treat mom to something truly special this Mother's Day. Sure, she'll always appreciate a thoughtful card or handmade gift, but what most moms really want is quality family time. So why not surprise her with a sweet outdoor Mother's Day tea party in your own backyard? An elegant event in her honor is bound to make her beam, and it's so easy to pull off. To start, we rounded up plenty of decoration inspiration, from pretty spring displays to festive place cards, followed by the best recipes and light bites to pair with your brew of choice. You can also treat guests to the best variety of tea blends, including alcohol-infused variations. From flowers to refreshments and finger foods, these tea party and garden party ideas are fit for a springtime celebration, Mother's Day or not.

vintage tea tins party

DAVID TSAY

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Vintage Vases

Give a nod to the Mother's Day tea party theme by turning antique tea tins into charming vases. Play with an assortment of arrangements for a colorful spring table spread.

etsy floral paper plates

Etsy

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Decorative Plates

These party-worthy plates look so glamorous, you'd never believe they're paper. Save the porcelain dishes and saucers for the tea itself, and use these floral beauties for finger foods.

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earl grey creme brulee

BRIAN WOODCOCK

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Tea-Infused Crème Brûlée

To truly get in the tea party spirit this Mother's Day, consider making tea a key component of your dessert recipes. For example, this glorious spin on classic crème brûlée features the citrusy Earl Grey variety. Earn bonus presentation points by serving in individual tea cups.

Get the recipe.

etsy floral place cards

Etsy

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Personalized Place Cards

Direct your guests to their seats in style, or use this editable template to create food labels for desserts and hors d'oeuvres.

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meyer lemon blueberry cake

BRIAN WOODCOCK

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Pretty Desserts

These Meyer lemon-blueberry cakes make for perfectly proportioned tea party desserts.

Get the recipe here.

tea kettle flowers

David Tsay

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Charming Tea Party Centerpiece

To transform a weekend afternoon into a tea party for the women you admire most, begin with inspiration from the garden. And what better vessel for a tea party centerpiece than a retro tea kettle?

Tablecloth, Table, Furniture, Backyard, Chair, Lavender, Outdoor table, Linens, Spring, Textile,

Robin Stubbert

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Mother's Day Table Setting

Set the scene with a tea party table mom will remember. Fragrant branches of lilacs and vintage china adorned with English rose motifs serve as the focal points of this pretty pastel table.

Floral-print napkins, silver teaspoons, tiered serving pieces, and a dash of colored sugar all add a touch of romantic grandeur. And a chandelier hanging from a tree branch lends sophisticated charm to the affair.

Flower, Flowering plant, Plant, Lupin, Botany, poker primrose, Amaranth family, Foxtail lily, Annual plant, Delphinium,

Robin Stubbert

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Vibrant Flowers

Beautiful blooms, such as garden roses, lupines, peonies, and lilacs, set the scene, as do lush arrangements in pitchers filled with flowers from your own garden or a market.

Flower, Pink, Plant, Botany, Spring, Tree, Wildflower, Architecture, Floral design, Garden,

Robin Stubbert

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Floral Tote

For a winsome welcome, hang a tote brimming with flowers at the party's entrance.

Cup, Teacup, Tableware, Cup, Serveware, Saucer, Porcelain, Drinkware, Coffee cup, Dishware,

Robin Stubbert

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Vintage Teacups

For ease and eclectic style, mix your teacups and teapots. Combine finds from thrift or antiques shops and discount stores. Or borrow a few pieces from your mother or aunt.

Spoon, Cutlery, Tableware, Household silver, Fork, Kitchen utensil, Metal, Serveware,

Robin Stubbert

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Antique Teaspoons and Floral Napkins

Present mismatched teaspoons in a vintage sugar bowl. Choose floral-print paper party napkins, or make your own from a remnant of cotton fabric and pinking shears. And give each guest her teacup for a party favor.

Food, Cup, Coffee cup, Cup, Coffee, Cuisine, Dish, Drink, Ingredient, Espresso,

Robin Stubbert

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The Teas

Treat guests to teas they love—and some they've never tried. In celebration, serve cups of Harney & Sons caffeine-free Mother's Bouquet Tea, which combines chamomile, rosebuds, and citrus flavors. And consider a blooming organic tea; its petals unfurl in water. Set out milk, honey, and sugar—in cubes or in pastel colors.

SHOP ORGANIC TEA

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Sweet Tea Sangria

Or, if you're in the mood for something stronger, this cocktail recipe combines both sweet tea and sangria for a fun and fruity twist on the traditional tea party.

Get the recipe.

mothers day cakes vanilla lavender cake

The Recipe Wench

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Mother's Day Cake

Even the Mother's Day cake can feature a floral element, as in this vanilla lavender confection. Because as Julia Child said, "A party without cake is just a meeting."

Get the recipe at The Recipe Wench.

diy mother's day gift tea

Courtesy of Homemade for Friends

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Dish, Food, Pink, Cuisine, Flower, Ingredient, Plant, Brunch, appetizer, Bouquet,

Robin Stubbert

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Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Baked goods, Dessert, Produce, Baking, Tart, Cherry pie,

Robin Stubbert

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Fruit Tarts

To ease preparation, fill store-bought tartlet shells with fresh conserves.

Food, Cuisine, Dish, Dessert, Ingredient, Fish ball, Coconut candy, Bourbon ball, Baked goods, Produce,

Robin Stubbert

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Sweet Treats

From a bakery, buy petits fours. Top prepared meringues with fresh berries.

Plant, Leaf, Flower, Herb, Canoe birch, Jiaogulan, Flowerpot, Bucket,

Robin Stubbert

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Pastel Decorations

Revive girlhood! Don pretty skirts, sip tea, and join in once-loved lawn games.

Textile, Table, Linens, Summer, Tree, Furniture, Room, Home, Vacation, Yard,

Robin Stubbert

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Lawn Chairs

After tea, plan a relaxed activity, such as a game of croquet, or a match of badminton. Games inspire playful banter, and being up from the table allows guests to mingle anew.