Mother's Day is on the 14th March this year, which means we'll still be in lockdown here in the UK. In this article, Amber Sims, from personalised gifting retailer EverythingPrinted, shows us how to mark the day with an online afternoon tea that will make your mum feel spoilt rotten, even if you can't be with her in person just yet.
Mother's Day is almost here, and in any other year, we'd normally be busy buying flowers and chocolates, making restaurant reservations, or planning a tasty home-cooked lunch to show our mums just how much we care. However, things are looking a little different this year, as the ongoing lockdown prevents us from visiting family members outside of our households in person.
If you normally like to treat your mum for Mother's Day, you might be wondering how you can make her feel special during these strange times that we're living through. Fortunately, the rise of remote video calling software like Zoom and Houseparty means that it's never been easier to spend some quality time with your mum, even if she's miles away.
So, if you want to make sure your mum has a great day come March 14th, why not invite her to afternoon tea — virtually? Here, I'll share a few of my top tips for doing this in style, from sending cards and treats ahead of time, to setting up your call, and more.
Send some tasty treats
It goes without saying that the highlight of any afternoon tea is the food. As it's your mum's special day, why not send her a selection of tasty treats and luxurious drinks to enjoy during your call together? Providing the food for your afternoon tea will add a real sense of occasion, and best of all your mum won't have to lift a finger to prepare it, allowing her to really relax and enjoy the day.
The easiest way to do this is to send a hamper that includes everything you mum will need, like the cream and afternoon teas from Devon Heaven. Be sure to order a matching afternoon tea hamper for yourself, so you can both enjoy the same menu. If you really want to push the boat out, pick a hamper that includes a bottle of prosecco, so you can toast the occasion remotely!
Order personalised cards and gifts
It wouldn't be Mother's Day without a thoughtful and heartfelt card. To really show her how much you care, why not send a personalised card this year? We've all spent more time away from our loved ones than we'd like over the past few months, so receiving a card with a family photo on it is sure to put a smile on her face by reminding her of when you were all together.
If you really want to spoil her, you could even send your mum a personalised gift, as well. Why not continue the afternoon tea theme with a personalised mug or champagne glass with her name or a family picture on? She can even use it to enjoy her tea, coffee, or prosecco during your call.
Personalised cards and gifts are made to order, and they can sometimes take a few days to be printed. COVID-19 has also put more pressure on postal services lately, which means that certain things may take longer to arrive, depending on where in the UK you live. So, order your cards and gifts as soon as possible to make sure everything arrives in time for Mother's Day.
Invite some guests
We may not be able to get together with a group of friends and family in person, but there's no limit to the number of guests you can invite to your virtual meeting. So, why not get the rest of the family involved? Your mum is sure to love seeing all her nearest and dearest on her special day. Be sure to send out an invite ahead of time, to make sure everyone can make it.
If any of your relatives aren't familiar with remote calling software, then it's probably best to give them a ring beforehand and talk them through how everything works. That way, you can spend your time enjoying your afternoon tea, rather than providing emergency tech support!
Create a pretty backdrop
Part of the fun of going for afternoon tea in a restaurant or café is the atmosphere, so why not recreate that luxury feeling by taking the time to decorate your space before your virtual meeting? It’s the little things like this that will make your afternoon tea feel like the sort of 5-star experience you'd get in a restaurant or hotel, and it's sure to impress the other attendees on your call.
All it takes to make your backdrop look lovely is a bit of bunting and some fresh flowers. Using a pretty tablecloth and some nice crockery will give your afternoon a refined, luxurious feeling. For extra style points, serve your sandwiches, scones and sweet treats on a tiered plate, and use a real tea pot for your hot drinks, too.
If the pandemic has shown us anything, it’s just how important it is to treasure every moment spent with our nearest and dearest. And, while you might not be able to see your mum in person this year, you can still arrange a lovely afternoon tea virtually using remote video call software. Take the tips I've shared here on a board, and your mum is sure to have a wonderful Mother's Day come March 14th.