Originally a British tradition that conjures images of pinkies in the air and violin music in the background, tea parties have evolved into an elegant but not necessarily fussy format for a number of parties today. Take this baby shower for example: finger sandwiches, scones, and sweets were prepared ahead of time so that the only thing that needed to be served during the party was the tea itself. The hosts could sit back, relax, and most importantly, celebrate the mother-to-be! They also got the opportunity to use their collections of teacups, and told me that the tradition in their time was to send newly-engaged ladies a single teacup as a congratulations gift. The love they received from those cups was felt throughout this party as they passed it on.
For an extra touch, pot some succulents in mix-and-match teacups to use as game prizes or party favors. The natural look of the plants contrasts with the sophisticated teacups, but the result blends together beautifully.