Baby Shower Favor Bags

For our baby shower in Pennsylvania, at the Lederach Tea House, I wanted to make party favors. Just a little something to say thank you to guests, many of whom I would be meeting for the first time. I was inspired by these adorable doily paper favor bags, and thought they would be perfect for a tea themed baby shower.

I found adorable little white paper bags, small color doily's, rubber stamps and mini wooden clothespins at Hobby Lobby and Michael's craft stores (always use a coupon). To go inside the bags, I got a few different boxes of individually wrapped tea bags (in holiday flavors) and three types of chocolate candies (the caramel filled ones were the best!).

I stamped each bag with tiny baby footprints (how cute is that?!) and "thank you" at the bottom. 

Assembling them was so much fun. I just love the folded doily on top! I should really figure out how to turn favor-making into a business because I love doing this type of stuff. 

They looked perfect on the tables - which also had doily's at each place setting. It was meant to be! 

This is such a cute idea that could work for a ladies luncheon, tea party, birthday party, or even a wedding.
 

Iced Blueberry White Tea

Summer is in full swing, and what's better than sitting outside with a refreshing glass of iced tea? I love fresh fruit, especially blueberries. When I found a recipe for blueberry iced green tea, I had to try it. It's made with homemade blueberry simple syrup. I swapped out white tea instead of green tea because I wanted to keep it tasting light. 

Blueberry Simple Syrup
Ingredients:
1 cup of blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 cup water
1 cup sugar

Directions:
Place blueberries, sugar and water in a sauce pan and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Strain solids from the juice with a fine sieve and set solids aside.
Transfer to a jar and store in the refrigerator.

Iced Blueberry White Tea
Ingredients:
8 cups of water
4 white tea bags
1 cup of blueberry syrup (or to taste)
ice cubes
fresh blueberries for garnish

Directions:
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and remove from heat.
Mix in 1/2 cup of room temperature water, add tea bags and steep for 10 minutes.
Remove tea bags and add the remaining water.
Mix in the blueberry syrup until it reaches the desired sweetness.
Chill in the fridge, add ice and enjoy.

So refreshing! I mixed the tea with the blueberry syrup and kept it in the refrigerator for a few days. I just added ice and fresh blueberries to a glass when I was ready to enjoy.
 

Coffee & Tea Gift Box

I put together a coffee and tea gift box for a very special couple who are getting married soon. 

Christina and Ryan are good friends of ours, and today was Christina's bridal shower (Ryan showed up to help open gifts). Are they a good looking couple or what? They are both so sweet and fun. I'm so happy for them and can't wait for their wedding (which my husband will be participating as a groomsman). 

Their registry listed a coffee grinder, which got the wheels in my head turning. What about putting together a coffee and tea themed gift? I found two white monogrammed mugs with the letter "P" for their (future) last name. 

Then I saw this cool photo/craft storage box with words and quotes about love and life. Ryan and Christina are both into art, photography and design. This would make the perfect base for the gift box, and they would be able to use it later.

A bag of Starbucks coffee beans (to use with their new grinder) and a box if assorted teas. 

I placed everything inside the box to see how it would fit. Tall items in the back and the mugs in the front.

Then I layered balled up tissue paper underneath and around to help everything sit nice and high inside the box.

 

I typed up a little tag with their names to insert in the box label area.

Once everything was arranged inside the box, I wrapped the whole thing with a sheet of clear cellophane and taped it in place. I had just enough cellophane left  - it was close! Then I added a red ribbon tied in a bow and slipped a card underneath.

The happy couple liked it! This would make a great birthday or housewarming gift. You could customize it with the recipients favorite coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Add some biscotti or cookies. I just love personalized gifts!