Spring Afternoon Tea Ideas (for Entertaining at Home)
Let’s celebrate the spring season! With all upcoming special occasions from Mother’s Day to wedding showers, it’s the perfect time of year for spring tea parties! Today, I’m sharing my Spring Afternoon Tea ideas as I join a wonderful group of bloggers for a Spring Tea Party Blog Hop! So, grab a cup of tea (or your favorite beverage) and let’s get started!
At the end of this post, you will find a list of all the participants in this spring tea party blog hop. Be sure to visit as many as you can for some creative spring tea ideas!
*For your convenience, please note that this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking my links below, I will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you).
Spring Tea Party Ideas and Blog Hop:
Before we get started, I want to thank Amber from Follow the Yellow Brick Home for hosting! If you don’t already follow Amber, be sure to swing by and visit her gorgeous blog to see her vintage spring tea ideas!
If you are just arriving from Virginia Sweet Pea, Welcome! Paula is a dear blogger friend and she always decorates her home so beautifully. Today, she’s sharing her ideas for spring tea in the garden.
Spring Afternoon Tea – Decorating Ideas:
For my spring afternoon tea, I decorated a living room table in a spring garden style. With all the flowers and trees blooming, it made sense to use nature as my inspiration. Although, I must admit, I do not have a green thumb. Though, I am working on it! To play it safe, I used faux greenery and flowers for my spring tea table.
Since my table is situated near the window, I do have a view of all the green grass and trees outside. Too bad it has been raining for the millionth day in a row! With all the precipitation we’ve been getting, I am expecting some amazing flowers this spring!
Spring Color on a Spring Tea Table:
To decorate my table for a spring afternoon tea, I tried to bring the outside in. Beginning with greens and blues, I then accented those colors with lots of white. From the flowers to the dishes and containers, bright white feels so fresh for the spring season!
To go along with my color scheme, I even matched the tea bags! (Haha, that wasn’t even planned!) Of course, I have tons of tea bags since I’m a tea drinker. Even though I love the smell of coffee, I prefer to drink tea for my caffeine fix. Usually, I’ll drink earl grey tea or green tea in the morning and then have an iced tea or two during the day. Sometimes in the late afternoon, I’ll make a cup of one of my decaf specialty teas…a perfect way to wind down the day!
In order to pull the colors together on my tea table, I used this colorful “tablecloth”. Actually, it’s a Monet printed scarf that my mom bought me a few years ago. Scarfs can be great for adding splashes of color and I use them often in my vignettes.
Most of the time, I use white dishes as well. Even though I love decorating a table with my blue and white dishes, I feel the white is just so classic…and it goes with everything!
Whether you’re entertaining guests or just relaxing at home, it’s always nice to make time for a cup of tea!
Afternoon Tea vs. High Tea:
Just in case you were wondering, afternoon tea is generally served on a “low table” with lighter food selections such as finger sandwiches and scones. Usually, it’s served in the late afternoon around 4:00 p.m. Traditionally, high tea is served a little later at a “higher” table such as a dining room table. For the high tea, a heavier supper is generally served.
Tiered Tray of Tea Snacks:
What is a spring afternoon tea without the fun snacks to go along with it? Traditionally, you would use a 3 tiered tray for the 3 “courses”. The bottom tray would hold the tea sandwiches, the middle would hold the scones and jams and the top would be for the sweets.
Unfortunately, I could only find my two tiered tray…so I just went with all sweets. I don’t hear anyone complaining…
For my selection of sweets, I offered various pastries and chocolate eclairs. You could also include cookies, petit fours, (those small squares of bite sized cakes) or any sweet mini dessert. Even little sponge cakes with lemon drizzle are perfect with tea.
Even though I used mostly blues and greens for my tea table, I brought in some bright pinks for the coffee table.
Obviously with all the rain, I am craving some color! Plus, the pink flowers add some cheer to a spring afternoon tea party!
I hope you enjoyed my spring afternoon tea ideas! If you get a chance, also check out my ways to decorate a tiered tray. In that blog post, I shared more decorative ways to welcome afternoon tea guests!
If you’re looking to enjoy tea when you’re out, here are some lovely places to enjoy a spring afternoon tea:
- Botanical garden or park
- Fancy hotel lobby (I once had tea at the Ritz in Montreal)
- Bed and Breakfast or historical house
- Any place with a pretty view
**Next, be sure to visit Coco at The Crowned Goat for more creative ideas for spring tea!
Also remember to visit each of participants on the tour for tons of spring tea inspiration!
Follow the Yellow Brick Home / A Stroll Thru Life / Our Southern Home / Common Ground / Decor to Adore
County Road 407 / Art and Sand / Let’s Add Sprinkles / Botanic Bleu / The Painted Hinge
Celebrate and Decorate / Petite Haus / My Thrift Store Addiction / Rosemary and Thyme / Virginia Sweet Pea
Calypso in the Country / The Crowned Goat / Lora Bloomquist / The Tattered Pew / Bluesky at Home
White Arrows Home / Welch House 1900 / Thistle Key Lane / Decorate and More with Tip
Do you have plans to host a spring afternoon tea party?
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I would love to sit in your beautiful home and enjoy tea and yummy desserts with you! Your Monet scarf makes a pretty base for your tea pot and tea accessories. Seeing your tea display reminds me of visiting The Homestead where they have tea every afternoon for guests. I know you are thinking about going there, so if you do, I know you’ll enjoy that part of your visit.
Thanks, Paula! Yes, one of these days you will have to swing by my house while you are out on one of your road trips! The Homestead is definitely on my list and knowing they have an afternoon tea makes it sound even more charming. I am sure the Woodstock Inn probably has something in the afternoon as well. Maybe the timing on a future visit there will work with our schedules again! Have a great week!
What a pretty table! You are so clever to use such a lovely scarf. I am drolling over your tiered tray of sweet treats.
Thank you so much, Laura! It’s always fun to re-purpose things, isn’t it? Great to be blog hopping with you!
I never knew there was a difference between “high tea” and “low tea”; thanks for explaining, Shelley! Your array of sweets is making me drool! Yes, white dishes are so classic and can be used so many ways!
Thanks, Lora! Years ago, I learned about the afternoon tea custom on one of my girls’ weekend getaways. Such a fun tradition, isn’t it? Enjoy your day!
Well I learned something new today! I thought tea was always at 4:00 and that’s it. Wow, that seals the deal. I must go to England and figure all of this out. 🙂 Love your tables and tiered tray – beautifully styled.
Thank you so much, Cindy! I used to think the terms meant the same thing…in fact, I have seen places advertise “high tea” at 4:00. Either way, I’d love an excuse to go to England as well! Have a wonderful day!
I love your white tea set. It’s so pretty. The treats looks amazing.
Thanks Katie! I think I might start the afternoon tea ritual just for the treats – ha! Thanks for swinging by!
It is one hundred percent gorgeous, Shelley — beautiful setting, lovely text and fabulous photos. And no, no one will mind that you skipped the sandwiches and went with the sweets!
Awe, thank you so much, Jeanie! Who would choose sandwiches over sweets, right? Lol – thanks for stopping by!
I am coming over this looks like fun!
That would be so much fun, Cindy!
Hi Shelley, so interesting about the meaning of “High” tea. I have to admit I’m relatively clueless about that tradition, but love the idea of it. Same with the tiered tray. LOVE your beautiful classic white teapot and china!
Thanks so much, Debra! Yes, I know that the terms “high” tea and “afternoon” tea are sometimes used interchangeably but I learned the difference years ago during a girls’ weekend. I am sure either can be used but I thought it was interesting when I learned about it.
What a lovely tea setting. Your tiered tray filled with treats is delightful! Happy to be joining you for the tea party tour this week! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Thank you, Cecilia! Tiered trays are so much fun to decorate, aren’t they? Great blog hopping with you!
I’m always learning new things about tea. It’s a fascinating subject to me with so much tradition and history. Love your afternoon tea set up on your round table. So lovely and so are those sweet treats!
Thanks, Michelle! Yes, I agree that the traditions and history are fascinating. Thanks for stopping by and so nice to join in the blog hop with you!
Looks wonderful! Save me an eclair, LOL!!
You got it! Thanks Carole!
Gorgeous. Your table looks so pretty and I love, love, love the white teapots and flowers. Your tiered tray with such fabulous treats look so good, I would probably have to have one of each.
You’re so sweet, Marty…thank you! Those sweets didn’t last long in my house between myself and the boys! It’s been great joining you on the blog hop!
We could be twins Shelley! All my tiers were covered in sweets too. I could snack on something sweet every day of the week. It totally gets me in trouble ha ha. I love your white dishes and how you have everything displayed. The scarf idea is fabulous. I definitely need to try that sometime. Hope the rain clears away soon so you can enjoy being outside with all your flowers. Spring is such a beautiful time of year! Hugs, CoCo
Too funny! I can’t control myself around sweets…I have to remind myself that it’s almost bathing suit season! Thanks so much for your sweet comment, Coco!
Shelley,
Yes, we are all in trouble with those sweets. I love your tea setting with the wicker chairs and the table between them. Such a relaxing spot for enjoying an afternoon tea…
Judith
Thank you, Judith! I probably should have filled that tray with veggies with the way I have been snacking lately! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh your crisp white dishes are so pretty with the pops of color provided by the Monet scarf (great idea!) and napkins. I love the flowers and colorful selection of teas! Thanks for sharing the differences between afternoon tea and high tea, I never knew! Your pops of pink flowers and styled tiered tray of sweet treats are so pretty as well.
Thank you so much for joining the hop. Enjoy your tea and goodies!
Your blog hops always motivate me to experiment a little – thanks again for hosting. Thank you also for your very sweet comment. Even though I have other dishes, I find I use the white ones the most for their versatility. Have a great day!
It’s nearly midnight and now I’m craving sweets after looking at your yummy treats.
Ha! If we didn’t already gobble them down, I would probably be snacking on them right now! Thanks for swinging by!
Shelley, the white dishes mixed with your Monet scarf ~ great idea, by the way ~ is so classic and perfect for your afternoon tea. I low the tiered tray with all the yummy sweets. I understand about the rain. We had another big rain storm this morning and more predicted. Like you, I hope the flowers love it.
Thanks so much, Carol! Yes, I am hoping our yards are bursting with flowers after all this rain! Enjoy your day!
I didn’t realize there was a difference between high tea and afternoon tea… I think when I’ve gone to England and Canada we always go to high tea then, with the 3tiered stands. Your tea party treats have me drooling!
It seems like a lot of places use the terms interchangeably… Either way, it’s nice to sit and relax with a cup of tea in the afternoon! Thanks for your kind words and enjoy the rest of your week!
The scarf you used as a tablecloth is lovely. It does remind me of a beautiful pond filled with colorful blooming water lilies. I, too, love using different kinds of textiles to dress tables. Your little white tea pot is so elegant. It has been lovely hopping with you!
Thanks so much, Chloe! It’s always fun to try different things in vignettes. Thanks for stopping by and it’s been great hopping with you too!
I’m visiting from Katherine’s Corner. I love the stark white to bring forth the colors of spring from the other elements. I’m a high tea person myself, because I like serious food. I had no idea the different tray levels were for different courses.
Thanks for stopping by with your lovely comment. Yes, I just learned about the tray levels recently. Of course you probably noticed I only had sweets on mine. I am such a rule breaker. Have a great weekend!
Lovely, Shelley! Where did you get your white dishes? Love the texture and detail they have. Thanks for sharing at Homestyle Gathering!
Thanks, Julie! My white dishes are Mikasa Italian Countryside. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for sharing at #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Pinned and shared.
Thanks Marilyn! Have a great day!
Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick at #ThursdayFavoriteThings this week. Visit me at https://www.marilynstreats.com on thursday morning to see your feature! All hosts choose their own features from the comments left on their blog so be sure to return to my blog to see your feature. I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon. Please don’t forget to add your link numbers or post title so we can be sure to visit!
Thanks so much, Marilyn! What a nice way to start the day! I hope you have a nice one as well!
Lovely tea blog hop. I am Scottish and I love tea so I could not resist this wonderful post. I pinned this to my tea board. Happy Spring, Kippi #kippiathome
How great that you have a “tea board”…I need to start one! Thank you so much for your kind words and for pinning! Enjoy your weekend!