Time for Tea April 14 2025

time for tea girl in spring dress holding chicken dressed up for tea

By Elizabeth Ritchie Sherrill

Southern tea party essentials

Whether you enjoy hot tea, sweet tea, or simply spilling the tea, spring is the perfect time to celebrate the florals and warm temps with an outdoor tea party. Grab a blanket or set the table under your favorite tree and get ready for tea!

Let’s talk about the essentials for a good Southern tea party:

  1. Tea, obviously! Any of the three varieties mentioned above, but best to make sure one is in liquid form or the other essentials may leave you a little parched. While hot tea may be best for more elevated parties, sweet iced tea is the default down South. One trick up my sleeve for the perfect sweet tea is a pinch of baking soda after brewing but before cooling it down with ice. It takes away that slight bitter aftertaste from brewing.
  2. Finger sandwiches. Crustless pimento cheese or chicken salad mini-croissants are crowd pleasers, but don’t hesitate to break out a family egg salad recipe or cucumber and cream cheese!
  3. Something sweet. Here’s where we have you covered! Britt’s Spritz Cookies are the perfect addition to any tea party — sweet, unique, and the perfect size.
  4. Seasonal tableware. My tea parties often involve guests under the age of 10, so my preferred tableware is of the paper variety, but that doesn’t stop us from cute prints & patterns. If you’re feeling adventurous, raid your local thrift store for some unique pieces to mix and match. Thrifted mugs or glasses can double as the perfect party favor, too!
  5. A treasured tea kettle or tea set. My husband brought a tea set home from Korea, and I don’t use it nearly enough. Make that never, but it is so beautiful that I am dying to bring it out for a true tea party, and maybe this season is the time! If you’re going for the cold tea variety, a favorite pitcher and glasses are all you need.
time for tea chickens dressed up with grain on doily

While not on most people’s list of tea party essentials, we added a sixth: a couple of our sweetest chickens. Of course they needed to abide by the dress code! If your guests are also of the younger variety, making tutus for their future tea party is an excellent morning craft. All you need is elastic band and tulle, no sewing, glueing, or chickens required. In fact, tutu-sporting stuffed animals make the most courteous of all tea party guests!