1920s Tea Party Ideas: Easy Vintage Fun!

Step back in time and throw a party that’s the bee’s knees with a glamorous 1920s tea party! Whether you’re dreaming up a garden gathering with elegant charm or planning a themed brunch that channels Gatsby-era flair, this guide is packed with the best lunch tea party Ideas and outdoor tea party ideas for adults to help you host in true vintage style.

From stunning tea party table settings and vintage tea party decorations, to mouthwatering tea party food and elegant high tea party ideas, we’ll cover everything you need for a roaring good time. You’ll also find tips on tea party set up ideas, the perfect 1920s women’s afternoon tea dress, and standout tea party attire to get everyone looking the part. Ready to plan the ultimate adult tea party? Let’s pour the tea and bring the 1920s to life!

Why I Love a 1920s Tea Party

As part of a vintage car club, I have often joined with the other club members to gather for tea parties. A 1920s tea party is the perfect blend of vintage elegance and Gatsby-era fun, with classic fashion and dainty treats served on fine china. It’s a chance to dress up in glamorous tea party attire, sip delicious teas, and enjoy a beautifully styled setting filled with Art Deco charm. If you’re looking for 1920s tea party inspiration, you’re in the right place. Here we go!

1920s Tea Party Invitations

Start your 1920s celebration with these free customizable Art Deco-style party invitations. Simply click on the image above or click here. If prompted, log in to your Google account, then make your own copy in Google Slides. Easily adjust the text and font style to fit the details of your gathering.

1920s Tea Party Decorations

Here’s a list of easy 1920s-themed tea party decorations you can use to create an authentic, elegant atmosphere without too much fuss:

Color Scheme

Decorate with black, gold, cream, and blush, classic Great Gatsby-era colors. Accent with metallics (especially gold) for an Art Deco flair.

Table Settings

Use lace or embroidered tablecloths. Add vintage teacups and saucers (mismatched ones work great). Feature tiered cake stands for finger foods and sweets, Gather cloth napkins in pearl or ribbon rings at each. Source 1920s vintage china at second-hand stores or here.

Centerpieces

Place feather arrangements in small vases or glass bottles. Drape beaded garlands around candleholders. Add mini framed signs with 1920s phrases (e.g., “Time for Tea, Doll!”).

Lighting

String lights or fairy lights for a soft glow. Use candlesticks or tea lights in vintage holders.

Wall & Hanging Decor

Hang gold paper fans or rosettes. Use Art Deco-style bunting or banners. Paper lanterns or hanging pearls add an elegant touch.

Props & Accents

Source old books and place in stacks for elevation. Find a gramophone or phonograph prop (or even a Bluetooth speaker styled like one). Scatter fake pearls, gloves, and flapper headbands as décor. If you know someone with a vintage car, have it parked outside (or in the garage) to use for photo opportunities.

Florals

Arrange white roses, peonies, or feathers in glass vases. Create muted or pastel floral arrangements in teapots.

Signage

Design a chalkboard or gold-framed sign with “Welcome to the Tea, Dolls” or similar. Create labels for treats in a Gatsby-style font (like Broadway or Great Vibes)

1920s Tea Party Dresses and Accessories

Here are some easy elements to create a 1920s-style tea party outfit for women. You can use either wardrobe staples or simple accessories to capture that elegant flapper-era look.

Dress or Outfit Base

Step into the 1920s with effortless elegance by starting with the right outfit base. A drop-waist dress with a straight, loose fit channels that classic flapper silhouette, while a tea-length dress in lace or chiffon adds delicate charm. Prefer something sleek? A silky slip dress or simple sheath in black, gold, blush, or jewel tones will capture the era’s understated glam. You can also mix and match a midi skirt with a flowy blouse for a vintage-inspired look. Want extra flair? Keep an eye out for fringe, beading, or Art Deco prints when shopping or thrifting. Here is an excellent source of inspiration.

Accessories

No 1920s look is complete without the accessories. Layer on a long strand of pearls—double it up or tie a knot for that signature flapper touch. Pin on a brooch with vintage sparkle, drape a feather boa or fringed shawl over your shoulders, and tuck a beaded clutch under your arm for added dazzle.

Headwear

Top things off with the right headwear. A cloche hat is an iconic choice, perfect for daytime tea elegance. Or go full flapper with a sequined headband featuring feathers or a central jewel. For a subtler look, add a rhinestone barrette or vintage-style hair comb for just the right touch of shine.

Optional Glam Touches

To turn up the glam, reach for a few optional extras. Wrist-length lace gloves add refinement, while fishnet or sheer stockings give a nod to the daring style of the decade. Finish with T-strap or Mary Jane shoes—modest heels that are both authentic and comfortable.

Hair & Makeup (Simple Version)

Bring your look together with 1920s hair and makeup. Try soft finger waves, pinned curls, or even tuck your hair into a faux bob for that vintage vibe. A bold red or berry lipstick pairs beautifully with smoky eyes or a classic winged liner. Don’t forget the brows—thin and defined is the way to go.

1920s Tea Party Food

Here’s are some easy, 1920s-inspired tea party foods that blend elegance with simplicity, perfect for a vintage gathering.

Savory Bites

For a selection of deliciously simple savory bites, start with classic cucumber tea sandwiches—thin white bread layered with butter and cucumber slices, finished with a sprinkle of salt and dill. Egg salad or deviled ham sandwiches are also perfect, especially when cut into dainty triangles or rounds and served without crusts for that authentic 1920s touch. Mini quiches, whether Lorraine or spinach, are crowd-pleasers and can be served warm or at room temperature. Cheese straws add a buttery, flaky crunch that pairs wonderfully with both tea and cocktails. And for a fresh and creamy bite, serve stuffed cherry tomatoes filled with herbed cream cheese or a spoonful of egg salad.

Sweet Treats

Sweet treats bring vintage charm to the table. Victoria sponge cake slices, with their layers of jam and cream, are light and classic—perfect served in small squares. Lemon drizzle cake or a traditional tea loaf is moist, flavorful, and easy to pre-slice ahead of time. For something petite and elegant, offer madeleines or petit fours; these dainty bites can even be store-bought for convenience. Individual jelly or fruit trifles served in small glasses create a beautiful, layered presentation of sponge, custard, jelly, and whipped cream. Round out the dessert table with buttery cookies or shortbread, stacked high on a tiered stand or nestled in vintage tins.

Light and Elegant Extras

Add a touch of freshness with a few light and elegant extras. Seasonal fruits like grapes and strawberries look beautiful when arranged on tiered platters with sprigs of mint. Chocolate-dipped strawberries or almonds nod to the indulgent spirit of the flapper era and double as a sweet, simple treat. For a cooling palate cleanser, mint or lemon sorbet served in vintage teacups is both refreshing and delightfully charming.

Beverages

No tea party is complete without a lovely spread of drinks. Offer assorted teas like Earl Grey, Darjeeling, and a variety of herbal blends in elegant teapots to give guests plenty of choice. Lemonade or sparkling water with floating fruit slices adds a refreshing, sparkling touch when poured into crystal glasses.

1920s Tea Party Games and Activities

Here are some easy and fun 1920s-inspired tea party games and activities that will keep guests entertained while staying true to the vintage vibe.

Games and Icebreakers

Kick off the fun with a 1920s Slang Quiz—a matching game where guests pair vintage expressions like “bee’s knees” with their modern meanings. For example, ask “What’s a ‘sheba’?” and see who knows it means an attractive woman. Another great icebreaker is Who Am I? (1920s Edition). Tape the name of a famous figure from the era, like Zelda Fitzgerald, Charlie Chaplin, or Josephine Baker, on each guest’s back, and let them ask yes-or-no questions to guess their identity.

A Flapper Fashion Contest adds a lively twist to your party. Let guests vote (either by applause or anonymously) on who’s wearing the best hat, pearls, or the most era-authentic look. For a bit of tasty competition, host a Tea Tasting Challenge by offering three to five types of tea and having guests guess the flavors. Wrap up with a round of Vintage Charades using 1920s-themed prompts like silent film stars, jazz dancers, or the Charleston dance. You could also offer a quick lesson teaching guests how to do the Charleston.

Creative Activities

Give guests a chance to get crafty with a DIY Headband or Fascinator Station.

Set up a table stocked with elastic bands, headbands, feathers, faux florals, netting, sequins, and glue. Let everyone design their own 1920s style accessory. For memorable keepsakes, create a Photo Booth with a lace or gold backdrop, and supply fun props like gloves, pearls, and hats to strike a pose. If you know someone from a vintage car club, you could use a car as a prop or background as well.

Add a thoughtful, quiet moment to the festivities with a Calligraphy Station.

Provide dip pens, ink, or markers, and let guests try their hand at writing elegant names or quotes on dark paper. It’s a relaxing and classy way to connect with the glamour of the past.

1920s Tea Party Favors

Small & Stylish Favors

Send guests home with a little something chic and charming. Mini pearl necklaces or bracelets, tied with a ribbon and a tag that reads “You’re the cat’s meow,” are a timeless touch of glam. Feathered headbands or sparkly hair clips bring instant flapper flair and are as affordable as they are fabulous.

For something practical with vintage appeal, consider mini tea tins or individually wrapped tea bags in classic blends like Earl Grey or English Breakfast. Just add a pretty Art Deco tag. Vintage-style compact mirrors make an elegant keepsake, especially those adorned with geometric patterns or metallic finishes. And for a kiss of fun, gift guests a berry-toned or red lip balm or lipstick, complete with a flirty note that says, “Pucker up, doll!”

Sweet Treats to Go

Treat your guests to a bite of sweetness wrapped in nostalgia. Give guests a wrapped cookie decorated with a vintage 1920s automobile.

A few tea cookies or pieces of buttery shortbread tucked into a gold or lace organza bag or a pretty teacup make a delicate and delicious parting gift. Tie a gold ribbon around a teacup and saucer to fit with the 1920s color scheme.

Crafty or Personalized Favors

Add a personal and crafty spin to your favors with thoughtful, creative touches. Monogrammed handkerchiefs, either embroidered or stamped, feel both vintage and special.

Mini notebooks with Art Deco covers offer a charming place for guests to jot down thoughts, making for a useful keepsake. And if you have a photo booth, don’t forget to print or email the photos afterward, ideally framed in a custom vintage-style frame for a final, picture-perfect souvenir.

Free Printable Party Planner

Organizing a party takes planning. Whether you are planning a sunflower-themed party, a lemon-themed party, an apple-themed party, dahlia-themed party, a chicken-themed party, an elephant-themed party, a butterfly-themed party, a July 4th party, or a tea party, here’s a FREE monthly planner you can use to plan your 1920s-themed party or any other event. Use it throughout the year to keep daily, weekly, and monthly tasks organized. Since it’s undated, you can print out a new planner each year or anytime you need a fresh place to put your ideas. Get it here!

Get the sunflower planner!

Have fun planning a 1920s tea party, and may all of your party-planning endeavors meet with great success!

Lisa Mitchell is a wife, mom, and school librarian who likes to host parties. When the weather allows, she enjoys entertaining outdoors on the grounds of her family’s small Pacific Northwest farm. To learn more about what this website has to offer, click on over to the Welcome page.