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A Mother’s Day Bash for Grandma
By Diane Stopyra

Theme parties are an increasingly popular way to celebrate special occasions, and Mother’s Day is no exception. In recent years, everything from Hawaiian style luaus to Hollywood glamour motifs have been all the rage, while even less conventional party-throwers have opted for Mardi Gras or Beatles mania decor. But an off the wall soirée complete with hula dancing and confetti is not always the celebration of choice for the elderly matriarch of the family, so how does one go about honoring Grandmom on her special day in May? 

This year, consider hosting a ladies-only brunch in honor of your Grandmother. The Food Network has posted several easy to make mother’s day recipes online, so you can begin preparing your menu early. There’s no better way to show your appreciation for Grandmom than serving something delectable and unique, like orange-glazed blueberry scones. The décor of your holiday brunch is entirely up to you, but Kate Stockton, vice president of sales and marketing for Roberts Events Group, recommends dressing your table with throw-back doilies and bone china to lend an extra special feel. 

For something a little different, consider an event that captures the elegance and tradition of a “high tea,” Victorian style. Beautiful linens, silver table pieces stacked with sweets, and recorded Victrola music playing softly in the background will contribute to a relaxed and authentic ambiance. If you’re unfamiliar with the ritual involved in such an undertaking, organizations such as the Ebenezer Maxwell Museum in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pa., will send a representative to discuss with your party the history of the teas, the role which they played in the Victorian era, and the intricacies of high tea etiquette. 

According to Stockton, a “par-tea” will allow for a multi-generational approach to the holiday. “Bring the grandkids along,” Stockton says, “as long as there is something for them to do.” Organized lawn games that would have been popular pastimes during Grandma’s childhood, such as three-legged or potato sack races, are one way of keeping the little ones occupied. 

Miss Janice Gibson, an expert on themed tea parties, acknowledges the health benefits of such an event. “Certain kinds of tea,” she says “serve to reduce blood pressure, increase bone density, combat arthritis, and even boost one’s immunity.” 

But if a tea-party doesn’t sound like something Grandmom would enjoy, consider a picture book theme instead. Send your favorite photo of Grandmom with her grandkids to The Photo Icing Shop based out of Maitland, Florida, and what you’ll get back are edible icing photos to top your cake, cookies, or cupcakes. Get the kids involved by having them decorate the edible photos with frosting or icing gels to form a special border or caption. The grand finale of the night should be a DVD photo slideshow celebrating Grandma’s life.

“This is a keepsake,” Stockton says, “a gift for the whole family. Advances in picture technology allow us to preserve memories better than ever before, for generations to come.”

Diane Stopyra is an editorial assistant at Curious Parents.