Valentine Tea Party Ideas (2024)

A Valentine tea party is the perfect way to gather with your girlfriends for Galentine’s Day. With our simple decorations, drinks and food ideas, you’ll have all the inspiration you need to get started.

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (1)

Tea parties are one of my favorite ways to celebrate with my girlfriends.

They are usually held in the afternoon. So you don’t have to cook a whole meal.

And they’re centered around serving tea. So you don’t have to stock a whole bar, either.

Which is why when I wanted to host a Valentine party for my friends (some would call it a Galentine’s party), I decided to do a Valentine’s Day tea party.

And it was so much fun, it might become an annual occurrence.

Themes

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Valentine Tea Party Ideas (2)

I always like to pick a theme when I’m having a party.

It makes deciding on decorations so much easier.

For this one, I went with a hearts and flowers theme.

But you could also do an Alice in Wonderland theme, a vintage theme or pick a color to use as the theme (pink, red, teal or a combination of those would work).

The table Setting

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (3)

I used a black tablecloth on my table because I like how it makes the pink and white colors pop.

But if you don’t like that much contrast, a white tablecloth would work, too.

Then for each place setting, I layered a pink glass charger, light pink dinner plate and heart-shaped appetizer plate topped with a linen napkin and flower napkin holder.

Since pink and gold is one of my favorite color combinations, I used gold cutlery to finish it off.

Mix and match tea cups

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (5)

Since this is a tea party, having pretty tea cups is a must.

But getting a matched set can be really expensive!

So I made the rounds to all of the thrift stores in the area and found a bunch of mis-matched cups and saucers. (I don’t think it feels like a real tea party if you don’t have the saucers).

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (6)

Then I found a few more (like this one) at HomeGoods, which also weren’t very expensive.

Fortunately, they all had roses on them so that helped to tie them all together, and went with my theme.

The centerpiece

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (7)

The centerpiece I created looks a lot more complicated than it actually is.

I started with a black and white striped runner that I used as the base.

Then placed five mis-matched pink and white cake stands down the middle of the table (on top of the runner).

And wound a garland of faux pink flowers in and around the cake stands.

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (8)

Then I used the cake stands as serving pieces for the tea pot and some heart-shaped Valentine’s cookies.

That way they were pretty and functional.

Other decorations

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On the buffet beside the table, I used a row of small bouquets with white roses and baby’s breath alternating with white candles.

Since it’s easier to put these flowers in vases, I used real ones rather than the fake ones I had on the table.

And using small bouquets meant I didn’t need that many flowers so that kept the cost down.

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (10)

Behind the small bouquets, I had a couple of larger ones with pink hydrangeas and baby’s breath, along with candle lanterns and a chalkboard sign that I drew a heart on.

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (11)

The whole thing created a pretty backdrop for my table that goes with the theme but wasn’t too matchy-matchy.

The Tea

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (12)

A tea party isn’t a tea party without the tea.

I always offer 2 kinds of tea at my parties – the traditional caffeinated kind (like Earl Grey) and flavored herbal teas.

If you are making the tea in pots (the traditional way), you’ll need to pick which ones you’re going to serve in advance.

Otherwise, you can have hot water available with a selection of tea bags that people can choose from and everyone can pick what they want. (But I will say that some tea-drinkers will tell you this isn’t the proper way to serve it).

Other drinks

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (13)

I also like to serve some kind of wine or champagne at my tea parties.

For Valentine’s Day, these strawberry mimosas always go over well.

And depending what your friends like, these pink champagne jello shots might also be a hit.

Food & recipes

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (14)

At a traditional afternoon tea, mini sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and different kinds of tarts are usually served on a 3-tiered stand.

But since I was having a few people over and it was a Valentine’s Day party, I served a slightly different menu.

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (15)

We did have mini-sandwiches, but I served them on a tray that we could pass around.

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (16)

A naked red velvet cake with heart toppers fits right in with the Valentine’s Day party theme.

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (17)

A fruit charcuterie board is good for anyone who doesn’t want to eat too many sugary treats.

A traditional charcuterie board with meats and cheeses as well as fruits and vegetables would also work if you want to serve something more substantial.

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (18)

You could also do something similar with a selection of candies and Valentine’s Day treats.

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (19)

And of course, there were the decorated sugar cookies in the middle of the table that were part of the centerpiece.

Valentine Tea Party Ideas (20)

Well, that’s it for my Valentine tea party ideas. I hope you found some inspiration for hosting your own get-together.

Other Valentine’s Day ideas you might like

  • Hearts and roses Valentine tree
  • Easy DIY Valentine Day wreath
  • Pink, red and white Valentine tree
  • The best Valentine’s Day cookie recipes
  • 65+ Valentine dessert recipes

Or browse all our Valentine’s Day ideas.

Have comments or questions about our Valentine tea party? Tell us in the section below.

This post was originally published on January 26, 2023 but was updated with new content on January 21, 2024.


Valentine Tea Party Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What do you serve at a Valentine tea party? ›

For the Valentine Tea Party, I serve a Strawberry Cream Scone. I also serve a Currant Scone at all my teas (just a little tradition I like to have). Its during this course that you would serve a curd and cream. I like to serve Lemon Curd and Devonshire Cream.

What should be included in a tea party? ›

Tea Party Details

Traditionally a tea is a mid afternoon event with a light menu of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and some tiny sweets, along with tea. Our tea was more of a luncheon, held at noon. I made four savoury bites, four sweet bites, and some delicious scones.

What traditionally happens at a tea party? ›

Originally, in a tea party, loose leaf tea was provided in a teapot along with milk and sugar. A variety of food including sandwiches, scones, cakes, pastries and biscuits were served alongside tea in a tiered arrangement. Food served at tea parties was according to a particular season.

How do you make a tea party menu? ›

There aren't any rules when it comes to the food, but a standard afternoon tea menu comprises a tier of sandwiches, a tier of cakes and one of scones or teacakes. But you could also throw in pastries, petit*-fours or biscuits. Don't wear yourself out by taking on too many ambitious bites.

What are the three main foods served at an afternoon tea? ›

What is served at afternoon tea? Afternoon tea comes in three course, the sandwich course, the scones and finally the pastries. Traditional sandwiches would include: cucumber, smoked salmon, coronation chicken, ham and beef.

What is the dress code for a tea party? ›

The Tea Party Dress Code

You can generally expect summer or spring dresses, longer flowing gowns or more formal vintage gowns, and two-piece skirt and blouse or pant and blouse sets to be appropriate. Bright, bold colors and pastel colors are both appropriate depending on the general theme of the tea party.

Do you serve salad at a tea party? ›

This is not traditional, and certainly not a separate “course”, but I generally include some salad and fruit garnishes, sometimes a salad of leaves and edible flowers, sometimes a slaw or other raw vegetable preparation (in which case a fork is needed, so not suitable for finger-food-only teas), sometimes crudités or ...

What do you serve first at a tea party? ›

Once poured, you can leave the teapot at the table and covered with a cozy to keep that tea hot. Tea is always served first. Followed by the treats and deliciousness. Serving the guest of honor first or hostess, you lift the cup and saucer and pour into the cup, filling only 3/4th of the way.

What are three rules for afternoon tea? ›

Of course, never take a drink of your tea without removing the spoon first, and please never, ever sip from the spoon. Take small, quiet sips of your tea. Do not blow on the tea if it is too hot. When you are not drinking tea, place the cup on the saucer.

How to throw a proper tea party? ›

Although there aren't any specific rules when it comes to the food or drinks that you choose to serve, individual portions are a must! That said, traditional tea parties always include some mixture of delicious tea, sandwiches, scones, and cakes.

What are the major ideas of the tea party? ›

Movement goals include limiting the size of the federal government, reducing government spending, lowering the national debt and opposing tax increases.

How do you serve tea at an afternoon tea party? ›

Tea is best served hot and poured from a kettle to a porcelain or ceramic teapot and then to a china tea cup. If you enjoy hosting and drinking tea, think about investing in an antique tea set.

What else to serve with afternoon tea? ›

If you google "tea savoury course" you'll find loads of suggestions and inspiration. Savoury scones, mini pies, hand pies, mini quiches, finger sandwiches (open and closed), mini tortieres, mini pasties, puff pastry tarts... So many things that are small, one to two bite savoury items that are eaten out of hand.

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