Vintage tea cups make a super easy DIY party favor or gift!
By the time you get to middle age, the girlfriend parties have been done to death. I have been to more book club nights, basket auctions, Bunco groups, ornament exchanges, happy hours, product parties and PTA socials than I can count.
Don't get me wrong, they were all fun and occasionally, I still attend, but my schedule is so booked lately that when I do have free time, I want to spend it with people that really count, doing things I really enjoy.
So I started to think about fun ways I could get my girls together and I came up with a couple of ideas involving my new obsession, tea cups!
I have recently rediscovered a few of my mom's tea sets, including these Queen Anne beauties. Aren't they spectacular?
I have to say, now that I am older and wiser, I have a new appreciation for such items. I am not exactly sure what I will do with all the pieces, but I know that keeping them boxed up is a total waste.
I could make tea sandwiches and finger foods, serve hot and cold teas and my guests would drink out of mismatched, vintage cups. All the while, we would listen to music and the summertime sounds of nature in my own backyard.
I'm already enchanted by the idea, so this one is definitely on the list!
Next, I considered an outing.
Perhaps hitting the local (or maybe not so local!) antique or thrift stores in search of treasure ~ namely teacups and saucers! We could shop, eat, chat and giggle our way through the day, as we comb the landscape for precious gems.
The more I think about this, the more excited I get. No clock to punch, no dinner to make, nothing on the agenda except wandering through quaint towns with my girlfriends. I think fall would be a super time for this outing! I already have a chunky sweater and boots at the ready!
Regardless of the activity, I would definitely send my guests home with a super sweet tea cup party favor, as a reminder of our time together. I am slightly dish obsessed, so I already have quite a few cups and I am sure that shopping for a several more would not be a problem for me!
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I recently gave one away as a gift. It was very well received and so easy to wrap up. I simply filled the cup with an array of teas, wrapped it with cellophane and added a tiny spoon and some ruffle ribbon to jazz it up!
I've listed many of these items in my Amazon Shop for your convenience.
Of course, now all of this tea talk has made me thirsty and I think I have some party planning and shopping to do, too!
Oh...and if anyone knows the name of that Queen Anne pattern, I would love you to share! It is not printed on the cup or saucer and Google has been less than helpful with this mystery!
Check out these other party ideas!!
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I love the idea of using them as little gifts for people...love that...I often do that with really pretty little plates, I fill with cookies and they seem to be loved so much...I will have to steal this idea...lol...come on over for a visit,...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, Phyllis! Who wouldn't love a pretty plate full of cookies! I adore visiting you and your pretty blog! Every table setting is a real treat!
DeleteLove, love this idea, Kim! So pretty and original. Thank you for sharing and have a great weekend. Maria
ReplyDeleteThanks Maria! It's always fun to wrap something up...and bows just make everything look more festive! :)
DeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteThat is a darling and very clever idea!
I love afternoon tea, tea in general (iced or hot, loose leaf or bags) and a party favor like that would always make me remember the giver!
Thank you, Constance. I thought it was a neat way to pass on some of my less cherished cups and make a friend happy!
DeleteHi Kim, I love your tea party ideas and it sounds like a lot of fun! I love your moms tea cups and the one your wrapped up looks so nice. Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Thanks Julie! Can you believe that I have never been to a grown up one? I need to change that, even if I have to host it! ;)
DeleteThis post brings back a couple of memories. First, I had a great-grandmother who collected tea cups, among other things, and her collection came to my grandmother. Hers were all individual cups with matching saucers but not sets, so none of them matched. I don't know that she or my grandmother ever actually drank out of them, which is sad. My other memory inspired by this post is that years ago when my now grown daughters were 'tweens, my sister in law gave all of her nieces a dress up tea party as their birthday gift that year. If I remember correctly she purchased a tea party that was offered at a fundraiser auction. She won the bid and the tea party was held at a local tea room or B&B. The cousins were to come dressed in vintage clothing or their mother's dresses and too big high heeled shoes and the hats, gloves and purses were provided. I think that they served punch or koolaid in the cups and fancy little treats and took lots of photos. My girls had a really nice time. Are you familiar with the Aiken House and Garden blog? She has a beautiful collection of tea cups and has photos of tea parties with her grandchildren. Someday I hope to be that kind of grandma. :)
ReplyDeleteYour stories are wonderful and I love the party your sister in law held...how charming! I am not familiar with that blog, I will have to take a peek. Ps...love the idea of mismatched sets. your great-grandmother was ahead of her time!
DeleteKIM,I am so with YOU on what you said up TOP!We have to do something different!Love your ideas................hopefully your friends will rise to the occasion!That will be the next disappointment.................some women have NO ZEST for FUN or even how to have FUN!Do the tea party with HATS..........MANDATORY.I have done and the PHOTO OP is GRAND!
ReplyDeleteOohh...I forgot about the photo op! Yes, that is a must do! I think most of my girlfriends would be up for a party...ESPECIALLY if it involved hats!! :)
DeleteKim, your mother has exquisite taste. I did a little sleuth work and found your tea cup on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/101970952/vintage-queen-anne-bone-china-daffodil
ReplyDeleteI also looked up the china mark, it's a Shore & Coggins, High Street and Edensor Works, Longton, Staffordshire Potteries England pattern: http://antiques2jewelry.com/china_marks.htm. You hit upon a passion of mine, I love to research china and pottery marks and patterns. Just love the hunt! This really is an amazing set of fine bone china teacups and you need to display them so they can be admired for their beauty and craftsmanship. Your ideas for tea parties and shopping sounds like so much fun. Oh, how I wish I could come. Hugs, my friend. ~ Nancy
Nancy, thank you for your super sleuthy detective work! I enjoyed the links and now I know what I have! I would never have guessed that Queen Anne would be made by someone else. I thought that was the brand and the manufacturer. You learn something new everyday! Of course, if you ever venture to the east coast, you let me know and we'll make our own tea party trip! I would love to have an expert (and good friend) along! xxoo
DeleteFabulous idea! Your mom's teacups are so adorable! I can't wait to see how your tea party turns out! TFS
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Oliva!
DeleteI think your ideas for the tea cups are wonderful and am wondering how to do something similar. We recently came upon a whole box of cups from my MIL that are nice, but that we have no place to store or display. Hmmm. You're a genius!
ReplyDeleteA genius, huh? I'll take it! ;) I have the same problem Michele, I lack any kind of real display space. So now I can feed my collecting bug and pass some on to friends!
DeleteKim you have always got the cutest ideas! The tea cups are beautiful, lucky girls who get them! I know you said you were super busy but I would love to invite you to participate in a blog tour, if you are interested email me @rkvaudt@neo.rr.com! I'd love to share your ideas with others:)
ReplyDeleteRhonda, you are too kind! I am totally flattered and I will email you! :)
DeleteI think giving teacups and saucers for favors is a fantastic idea! I have done it...and was rewarded with smiles and delight. What a great idea. I think the garden party is the best idea. I love, love, love to shop but it can be tiring and not everybody likes to shop for the same things. However...I get the idea that just being in your company doing anything would be fun for your friends!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Mona
You are right, Mona, I am a vintage tea cup girl, but a lot of my girlfriends are fashionistas! A garden party just may be the better way to go! I don't think I'd be as thrilled shopping for shirts! ;)
DeleteLike you, I have a greater appreciation for things like old teacups and vintage linens.
ReplyDeleteI love your party favor idea. I recently had a garden party and it was a blast to plan and put on. Each summer, a different woman on our lane hosts the summer garden party so it won't be at my house next year, but I just might take one of your tea cup party favors as the hostess gift.
I found some vintage linens in there too, Carol. They are so delicate and sweet, I cannot believe that my grandmother and great grandmother actually made them ~ a lost art for sure! :)
DeleteI have never seen the Queen Anne cups prior to this ...they are quite unusual and lovely! I like the favors idea as well as a garden party.
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever seen these cups either, Deb. Other than the links Nancy left for me, I can't seem to track them down...maybe they are rare? Hmmm. Maybe they should stay on the shelf and not in the garden after all! ;)
DeleteAll of those ideas sound great to me! They wrap up so cute and who doesn't love a pretty cup. I still love time with my best girlfriends and I'm always looking for a good excuse to get together. :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is the little spoon on the bow! My daughter HAD to have them on a shopping trip with her dad. When they came home, I was like "why are these necessary?" My husband just shrugged. Of course, they ended up in the junk drawer in pretty short order. Her infatuation with tiny silverware ended rather quickly, while mine has just begun! Ha!
DeleteI think you tea time ideas sound like fun. I've been scouring the thrift stores around here for pretty dainty teacups but no luck just yet.
ReplyDeleteI got lucky in my sister's garage, Sandra...haven't hit the shops yet. I'll let you know how I fare! Good luck on your search!
DeleteKim, if we only lived closer to one another, (like on the same continent, for starters!;)), I would have been thrilled if you were to include me in your girlfriend getaway adventures! I love the way you described both ideas, as I have managed to do both, many times, in the past, present and hopefully continue to do so in the future.
ReplyDeleteBoth patterns on your teacups are very pretty. The wrapped cup and saucer are TOO cute - they're totally my style!
Your friends are sure lucky to have such a thoughtful and talented party planner like you!
Poppy
Poppy, if you ever end up on the east coast, I would love to visit in person and we'll be sure to have tea! I am very committed to my tea party and adventure and hope to really plan one or both, very, very soon! :)
DeleteBeautiful colored teacups, I love them! What a wonderful idea the teacup party favor with an array of teas, how generous and thoughtful... wish I close enough to be included in your girl friends group! Lucky gals!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
FABBY
Thank you Fabby! I really do love the colors featured in these cups. I can only imagine what a spectacular table you would be able to set with them...and of course, I'd be thrilled to have you join the fun! The more the merrier! :)
DeleteYour teacups are lovely! And your teacup favors are a terrific idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie! I am totally smitten with the cups, too! I just adore the colors! Thanks for popping by!
DeletePerfect little gifts and I'm sure your girls will love them. We held a tea party at my previous home with all the girls and my mom years ago. It remained a topic of conversation about how much fun it was for years! Love the pretty cups! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
I really do want to plan that party, Jann. I am thinking that late summer would be the perfect time! I'm gathering cups as we speak! ;)
DeleteYou can never have too many teacups! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Sherry!! I do love these, they are so unique and colorful. I cannot believe they spent so many years in a box!! Buried treasure for sure! ;)
DeleteI kind of had to chuckle when you were talking about your linen closet clean out. Unlike so many people my age, we actually "upsized" when we moved to our current home. We have at least half again as much square footage as our previous home, and I seem driven to fill it....lol! Because my hubby and I are the youngest of the "elders" in his family, we have become the depository for all things family that all the others are trying to get rid of. On our recent trip to a family reunion, I had numerous little treasures bestowed upon me, including several sweet teacups that had belonged to my MIL. I'm delighted to be the "keeper" of these treasures as long as we have room. I don't even want to think about the day when we will truly have to "down-size." Your teacups are so pretty, but I have no idea the name of the pattern.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving a nice comment -- always appreciated!
Carol, I am simply pea green over all of your space!! This, our second home in a small beach community. The houses were all built in the 1920's and were never meant for year round living...or new millennium living for that matter! Closets are tiny, storage space is sorely lacking, the rooms are small, it's easy to get overwhelmed by stuff. Of course, I love stuff, but I am learning to live with less!!
DeleteOne problem though for me, I would have a hard time giving those precious teacup sets away! LOL! But yes, I agree, they are dainty gifts, well-though-of and very useful, not to mention oh-so-pretty!
ReplyDeleteVel, I think I will, too, but I know that I would see them again in my friends' homes!!
DeleteSuch a great idea! You can certainly pick up teacups for a bargain at estate sales and antique malls. I love this!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Angelina! Finding them is half the fun! ;)
DeleteLove those gorgeous teacups, Kim! I've given the same gift before ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun gift to shop for, too, Cecilia! Let the thrifting begin!
DeleteWhat a beautiful collection of teaware, and I love the idea for favors! So pretty! Visiting you from Mrs. Olson's Share Your Cup.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! This was a fun one to make! :)
DeleteI've done that before - and it is so well received, isn't it! Ilove your pretty china. I don't know that china pattern and did a little research and didn't find anything either. If I eve do I will be sure to let you know.
ReplyDeleteI have tea parties often (or used to, haven't hosted one in months) and attend them regularly - I do hope you do it. Trust me, they're addicting! Have fun - it's my most favorite thing to do! : - )
Hi Michele, thanks for poking around to see what you could find! It’s a mystery for sure! I am planning a tea cup thrifting party in a few weeks. I am excited to shop with my friends and drink tea in our new finds!! Thanks for the visit! :)
DeleteOh I couldn't give mine away...lol! But yours look very pretty indeed! Mimi xxx
ReplyDeleteI don't give away the special ones, Mimi! I'm like you, I couldn't part with those!! :)
DeleteThe tea cups are gorgeous, Kim, as are the treats.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thanks Amalia. They are my special treasures!
DeleteI LOVE that idea! Many tea cups are expensive to buy though, especially when you're shopping for a small party. But I do love tea cups so much and think it would be a fabulous idea. Maybe you could do a giveaway for some tea cups. That'd be splendid! :)
ReplyDeleteLove,
Ashley
creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com
ashleysyarnworks.blogspot.com
Great idea, Ashley! Maybe I will!! :)
DeleteThat is such a sweet favor! I know friends would be thrilled to receive it!
ReplyDeleteIt's a useful gift, that's for sure, Lisa! Everyone drinks something hot, even if it's not necessarily tea!
DeleteI also have an obsession with teacups!! I love the four you have shown in the first photo! They are adorable!!! I agree that they make extra nice party favors!!!
ReplyDeleteLinda
mysewwhatblog
Thanks Linda! I love those cups, too. I just wish I knew the name of the pattern! A true mystery!! :)
DeleteWhat a really cute idea for a favor. I think I need to start looking for cute teacups for a fun day my daughter-in-law just planned for a late Mother's Day. She booked high tea at the Peninsula in Beverly Hills for all the ladies in our family. I think I will create little teacup party favors for each of us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration and for sharing at SYC.
It’s a fun excuse to buy tea cups, Carol!! :)
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