Our Favorite Teapots and China for Mother's Day

Not every day is a fine china occasion, but we'd be remiss to let Mother's Day go by without dressing the table in Mom's honor. Whether you're serving breakfast in bed or gathering the family for afternoon tea, a special-occasion tea set takes even the simplest spread to the next level. We've rounded up our favorite teapots, teacups, and other china to help you throw a sweet fête in Mom's honor. Whether you prefer sleek, simple designs or punchy colors and prints, you'll find something special here to help you make Mother's Day feel as charming as she is.

Why tea? Because the setup is special. Even if you come from a family of coffee lovers, there's something about a pot of tea that feels more elevated than your everyday cup of joe (even if you're using teabags!). If you need some inspiration and ideas on what to serve during your tea party, we have a selection of classic afternoon tea recipes that are perfect for an elegant gathering.

Once you have the menu down, it's time to make sure you have the right tools. In this case, that's a teapot and teacups. There's beauty in restraint, and any fan of Scandinavian design will love the modern Danish Coffee and Tea Set (from $34, food52.com) pictured here, which is inspired by the Japanese tea ceremony and imagined by Danish designer Theresa Rand. Choose from white, light gray, or dark gray—in any shade, it's a minimalist's dream come true. With a large teapot, a sugar and creamer set, and teacups sold by the pair, you'll find everything you need to make the kitchen table feel like a five-star afternoon tea at the Ritz. Even better, the whole set is microwave- and dishwasher-friendly, letting you spend quality time with mom instead of washing dishes at the sink.