{challenge} a $30 tea party

I love a challenge. I especially love a budget challenge. In my experience, it's easy to plan a party with "the-sky's-the-limit" budget. It's a challenge to create a party on a budget and stick to it!

Don't get me wrong...I LOVE amazing parties with custom treats, beautiful props and a complete petting zoo! BUT most of us can't afford to spend that much on a party. We actually need to feed our families and pay our mortgages.

I often think about the events I've attended and I always come to the same conclusion--the most memorable events weren't expensive parties. They were the ones where my every need, want and desire were fulfilled in simple and thoughtful ways. The little touches that made me laugh or warmed my heart. I decided that I needed to challenge myself to create such an event.

The Challenge: Design a party for 6-12 guests   Budget: $30.00

Yes. You read correctly. A $30.00 budget including all of the food and décor. Ready?

Inspiration: We recently added the Harvest Sunflower Collection to The Market. The collection was my inspiration for designing a Harvest Tea to celebrate friendship and the changing of the seasons.

{harvest sunflower invitation}

The cookie aisle at the grocery store was my first stop. I found maple leaf, oak leaf and sunflower cookies which were all must haves! I filled the rest of the table with European-style tea cookies and generic 2-for-1 cookies. Total = $20.33

{maple leaf and chocolate swirl cookies}

{oak leaf cookies}

{chocolate caramel coconut and cinnamon swirl cookies}

{tea and cookies}

{sunflower cookies}

{oak leaf cookies}

{chocolate swirl cookies}

I always have lots of tea, sugar and milk (aka cream) in the house so this didn’t impact my budget. These tea bags were leftover from a bridal shower and the colors were perfect! I placed them in a cracker basket and added a touch of harvest yellow ribbon. Total = $0

{tea time}

{If I needed tea, I would have spent an additional $5.10 for two boxes.}

The tablecloths, napkins and tableware were all pulled from my cupboards. An antique white lace tablecloth was layered on a chocolate tablecloth. I purchased the white cloth napkins for a $1.00 each about 10 years ago. The teapot and dishes were all wedding gifts--my everyday china. I didn't want the "good dishes" to sit in a cabinet to be used once a year. We chose a simple antique white set which goes with everything!

Hank's Hint: Plain cloth napkins are great investment pieces. Choose napkins made of quality fabrics that are easy to care for. You can then mix and match them to coordinate with any soiree!

I used upside-down bowls and ramekins with salad plates to display the cookies at different heights.

Designer Tip: If you're worried that a dish is too precarious sitting on a bowl, add a little poster putty. It will hold the plate securely and come off easily after the party.

{upside-down bowl under the cinnamon swirl cookies}

The Harvest Sunflower Mini Banner was hung between two bundles of twigs tied with yellow gingham ribbon. The twigs were left over from a line of custom invitations we created. They reminded me of corn husks or wheat bundles. The twigs were propped on bowls to raise the Mini Banner over the teapot to create a simple focal point.

Since we were doing a photo shoot for the Harvest Sunflower Collection at the same time, I hung the Harvest Sunflower Banner behind the table. For a real party, I would hang it from the fireplace mantle so that it wouldn't compete with the Mini Banner.

{harvest sunflower custom banner}

{harvest sunflower painted by J}

I added additional pops of color with items from the Harvest Sunflower Collection, chocolate satin ribbon and yellow silk ribbon.

{harvest sunflower custom welcome sign}

{harvest sunflower custom cake stakes}

I didn't use the Harvest Sunflower Paper for the party but I had to show it to you. It makes me swoon! ♥

{harvest sunflower paper}

The favors for each guest were displayed in a cedar box and included 4 tea bags.

{harvest sunflower favor bag toppers}

I pulled supplies from my home and office—paper, ribbon, twigs, storage bags, tea bags and tape. Total = $10.00

It's time to total up our budget...{drum roll}

Food                           $20.33

Décor                       +$10.00

-----------------------------

GRAND TOTAL = $30.33

SO CLOSE! I guess I’ll have to take $.33 off my next party budget.

After the photo shoot, we made tea and tasted all of the cookies. They were wonderful!

The Harvest Sunflower Collection is currently on sale

in The Market through Thanksgiving Day.

The collection would also be perfect for a summer event!

I hope you enjoyed my $30 challenge--I sure did!

Stay tuned to Oink! for more inspiration...