11 Easy Mother’s Day Tablescape Ideas: From Pretty Place Settings to Centerpieces + More!
From sweet party accents to centerpieces, homemade gifts and more — we have you covered!
Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate all the special moms in your life, including you! Whether you’re prepping a table for a last-minute get-together with loved ones, looking for a simple dessert recipe to bring to a friend’s house or are on the hunt for a homemade gift or party favor idea, we have you covered! We gathered up a variety of Mother’s Day ideas — from centerpieces to place settings, signature cocktails, party accents and more — to ensure a gorgeous Mother’s Day gathering. Continue scrolling for all the how-to’s — plus must-know tips from a seasoned party pro!
1. Bring on instant joy with a tea party-inspired tablescape
“With Mother’s Day coming up, we designed this super pretty, but oh-so easy to pull off tea party-inspired tablescape to help you celebrate Mom in style,” says event expert and blogger Cristina Riches, founder of BirdsParty.com. “I’m in love with the floral aspect of it — it’s perfect for this holiday or any spring celebration. We set our party up in a garden area, and we were so lucky the sun came out and there wasn’t much wind on the day. But you can set up your table indoors or on a patio or terrace, too.”
To get the look of Riches’ tableau, above, top a table with a white cloth and purple runner. Then set out cake stands, glass terrariums and plant stands to display a cake, bouquets in galvanized pails and a teapot. Fill in open spots with trays of treats, teacups and saucers and a low white planter filled with purple flowering plants.
2. Pretty up plates with floral flair
Riches dressed up plain white dishes by setting them on bold gold chargers. Then she cinched pink napkins with baker’s twine and tucked in a fresh flower, herbs and a personalized paper place card.
3. Simplify the menu with mini quiches
Counter the delicious sweets served at your brunch with savory bite-size delights! These bitty egg cups are packed with flavor and are as easy to grab as a cupcake. To make a batch of 12, beat 12 eggs until fluffy, then pour into greased muffin cups. Sprinkle in cheese, chopped red peppers or tomatoes and spinach or herbs. Bake at 400°F until baked through, about 15 minutes. Serve on a platter and garnish with herbs.
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4. Add a touch of flavor with perfect tea add-ins
At her tea party, Riches set out lemon wedges, jars of honey and sugar cubes so guests could create their own custom cup of tea. But instead of pouring the sugar in a plain bowl or ramekin, she shopped her house and found this pineapple-shaped trinket box. Tip: For a surprising taste sensation, whip up flavored sugar cubes! To do: Pour 3 tsp. of water and 1 tsp. of vanilla, almond or coconut extract in a small spray bottle. Next, spread sugar cubes on a baking sheet and lightly spritz the mixture on the sugar cubes. Let dry for 2 hours, or until solid, then display in an around-the-house serving vessel, like a jewelry box or terrarium.
5. Raise a glass to Mom with a ‘berry’ delicious sip
This purple-hued blackberry cocktail complements your tea party’s color palette perfectly. Start by making a simple syrup: Bring 1 cup each of blackberries and sugar, 1⁄2 cup of water and 2 Tbs. of lemon juice to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring to crush berries; strain, then let cool. Add 3 cups of lemonade and 1 cup each of vodka and simple syrup to a pitcher; stir. Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish with mint.
6. Boost the beauty with a garden-fresh bouquet
A pitcher gives a bouquet a relaxed feel, and the handle makes it easier to tote to the garden. This arrangement can be made in minutes and is perfect to grace your party tabletop or bring it as a pretty hostess gift! To do: Gather purple and pink blooms (like roses and sweet pea) from the garden or supermarket, then trim stems so they’re twice the height of your water-filled pitcher. Insert stems one at a time; fill in gaps with greenery.
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7. Delight with a creamy cheesecake
Though this layered cheesecake looks impressive, it’s a cinch to make! To do: Mix 11⁄2 cups of graham cracker crumbs with 1⁄4 cup each of melted butter and sugar; press into a springform pan and chill. Mix 2 blocks of cream cheese, 1 1⁄2 cups of whipped cream, 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1 tsp. of vanilla extract. Reserve 3⁄4 cup of the filling and pour the rest into pan; chill. Blend reserved filling with 1 cup of blueberry pie filling; pour into pan. Chill overnight; top with blueberries.
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8. Add charm with a twinkling candlescape
Enhance the ambiance with a twinkling floral-kissed vignette! This is an easy way to add eye-catching allure to any corner — whether it’s on an entry table, a blank countertop or console. To do: Place two battery-run votives and a few battery-run tealights on a white circular serving tray. Then, place a small handful of pink and white supermarket blooms onto tray. Place tray on tabletop. Place small bouquet near tray. For extra flair, add a few extra tealights and blossoms near tray to complete the vignette.
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9. Brew up the perfect cup
At her party, Cristina Riches served Earl Grey and hibiscus teas kissed with citrus flavor. When setting up your buffet, offer one black and one herbal (or green) tea variety for guests. To ensure the perfect strength of flavor (without releasing bitter notes), steep black and herbal teas for 4 to 5 minutes and green tea for 3 to 4 minutes.
10. Gift heartfelt favors
Loved ones will savor the memory of your tea party long afterward when you send them home with tea bags packed in pretty wrappers, as Riches did. Or use this idea as a last-minute homemade gift for any mom in your life! To make your own set, for each, simply cut a piece of cardstock to the same size as tea bag. Add floral craft-store stickers to cardstock and jot down a sweet message using a purple paint pen. Use a pretty clothespin to attach to tea bag. Pop finished tea bags in a basket or gift bag with a mini jar of honey, a treat bag or a box of extra cookies and a thoughtful card. For an array of other free Mother’s Day printables check out these from BirdsParty.com.
Tip: If the mom in your life is a reader, give her the gift of a great book! For Mother’s Day, we curated a special list of 11 Heartfelt Books Perfect For Mother’s Day: From Historical Fiction to Humor & More!
11. Serve up rosy pretty-in-pink cupcakes
A “garden” of vanilla-rose flavored cupcakes kissed with festive picks is the perfect treat to show your love. To do: Bake a batch of vanilla cupcakes; let cool. Whip 3 Tbs. of rose syrup (like Torani Rose Syrup, $12, Amazon.com) and 2 drops of red food coloring into your favorite vanilla frosting. Pipe frosting on cupcakes in a frilly swirl and add heart-shaped sprinkles. Jot “Happy Mother’s Day” on paper circles, glue to toothpicks and stake into the cupcakes. (Prefer a different flavor? Check out these delicious mojito cupcakes!)
For even more easy entertaining and decor ideas for Mother’s Day and beyond, check out these stories:
How To Make Mother’s Day Brunch Florals Shine — Tips From a Professional Florist
Quiche Lorraine Recipe Is Cheesy, Rich and So Fast With This Easy Swap
