No matter how much we age, special birthday celebrations never get old. An Afternoon Tea is the perfect alternative to the bouncy-house, slip ‘n slide parties of our childhood. Keep reading to learn about three hot party trends for upcoming birthdays. Plus, you'll discover three perfectly paired gifts for your next Tea Party birthday.
Dessert Tables - While I’m not a strict devotee of trends, I love the way the popularity of dessert tables naturally coincides with tea time. Afternoon Tea takes many forms. Some variations include savory tarts, quiches, and sandwiches but at Pétale, our menu has been inspired by the French tradition of “le Goûter” a sweet snack of cake or pastries in the afternoon. Pétale’s seasonal Afternoon Tea Menu mimics the “dessert table” trend by offering naturally sweeter tea blends paired with locally made delicacies. While a birthday cake is definitely still a party essential, dessert tables made a big splash in 2024. The beauty of serving a “sweets only” Afternoon Tea at your next birthday party is that pretty desserts artfully presented always make a big statement. A beautiful vintage inspired cake is an easy and eye-catching centerpiece. A smaller cake looks especially charming on a beautiful table flanked by tiered trays of macarons, shortbread, and petite scones. If you are looking for a wonderful birthday gift for someone who loves sweets, why not consider a pretty vintage cake plate? They come in circles and squares and often have dainty “handles." Because they are flat (unlike a cake stand), cake plates are easy to store and can serve many purposes. Pair the cake plate with a charming cake or gift certificate to their favorite bakery or pastry shop. If live near Central Virginia, our favorite Scottsville Bakery, Baked on the James is a great choice. It's located in the heart of downtown Scottsville and offers a seasonal menu of cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, cheesecakes, and cookies.
Retro Themes - Retro themes continue to pop on social media platforms and magazine spreads. While the term “retro” may inspire images of avocado green Tupperware, it simply means imitative of the past. Retro details can add interest and fun to your Afternoon Tea event. The most obvious place to start would be using a vintage tea set! You can also consider sending paper invitations to your guests. Receiving an invitation in the mail certainly has retro flair. Choose fonts and colors that are reminicient of a particular era to set the mood. If you are in Virginia, I recommend a visit to Paper Plus on Grove Avenue in the West End of Richmond. They offer gorgeous notecards, stationary products, and custom invitations. If invitations aren’t your style, choose color schemes that are representative of the fashion of a particular time period. Think bold and bright colors and chunky patterns for the 60s and 70s or rich jewel tones and expensive trimmings for something more “turn of the century”. And while Afternoon Tea is considered an “elegant” affair, there is nothing stopping you from encouraging your guests to dress up! Set out a box of retro accessories that match your era of inspiration and let your guests choose something to wear. These items can double as party favors too. If you find yourself a guest of just such a charming retro party, consider a gift of vintage linens (like cocktail napkins & guest towels) with pretty embroidery, monograms or white work.
Intimate Vibes, Big Experiences - I’ve saved the best trend for last! I love the idea of an intimate party and luckily they are having a big moment in the last quarter of the year. Smaller events leave more room for special details and memorable experiences. In the United States, Afternoon Tea is, by definition, a special event. A luxurious Afternoon Tea is the perfect small party idea that will make a big splash. Afternoon Tea menus are flexible and can be adapted to many different palates and preferences. Plus, the nature of tea time lends itself to meaningful conversation and a slower pace that is perfect for celebrating a birthday. Enjoy the company of your guests over pots of fragrant tea and beautiful sweets you wouldn't normally indulge in. Special touches like fresh flowers and hand-iced cookies make unforgettable details. If you are interested in taking the Afternoon Tea party idea a bit further, why not consider a guided tea tasting event? Check with your local tea shop to see if you can reserve a room for a tea tasting.
If you live in Central Virginia, consider hosting a vintage-inspired Afternoon Tea party with Pétale. Our tea events take place in your own home and include setup, service, and cleanup. Each event is unique because it happens on your schedule and in your home. We specialize in creating big experiences for intimate gatherings with charming retro details like vintage linens, English bone china, and silver pieces.
While this final installment of the Gift-Giving series focused on trends perfect for birthdays, Afternoon Tea can be a good fit for almost any celebration whether it is a house-warming party, a baby shower, a graduation, or a simple excuse to get together and enjoy the company of people you love.
After all, the greatest gift we can give others (and ourselves) is time.
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