Wanted Cards Extra – International Tea Day & National Tea Day
Wanted Cards Extra – International Tea Day & National Tea Day
Pinkies up, artists. It’s steeping season.
There are days for fireworks, days for chocolate, days for dressing like a pirate… and then there are the beautifully civilized days dedicated to tea. Two of them, in fact.
International Tea Day – May 21st celebrates tea’s global impact, from hillside plantations to kitchen tables. It honors the farmers, the cultures, and the everyday ritual of pouring comfort into a cup.
National Tea Day – April 21st (UK) is a particularly British affair. Think afternoon tea, tiered trays, clinking china, and that gentle pause in the day where the kettle becomes the main character.
For Greeting Card Universe artists, this is a charming niche with enormous creative potential. Tea is not just a beverage. It is mood. It is memory. It is aesthetic. And best of all, it translates beautifully to our single folded 10 x 15 format, whether portrait elegance or landscape tea-party spread.
Let’s explore what could be brewing.
Design Directions to Consider
1. Classic & Elegant
Fine bone china, floral patterns, lace tablecloths, scones, lemon slices. Soft pastels or rich heritage tones. Ideal for UK-focused National Tea Day cards.
Ideas:
- Victorian-inspired afternoon tea table
- English garden setting with teacups and roses
- Stately teapot portraits as the hero object
- Typography styled like vintage tea tins
Front-of-card style works beautifully here, since our standard card stock prints crisp detail and soft watercolor textures exceptionally well.
2. Cozy & Comforting
Tea as self-care. Tea as emotional support. Tea as “sit down and breathe.”
Ideas:
- A steaming mug in oversized hands
- Rain on the window, teacup on the sill
- Cat curled beside a teapot
- Blanket, book, and chamomile moment
This category pairs perfectly with gentle encouragement messages or light humor.
3. Playful & Punny
Now we stir in the fun.
Tea puns are endless and surprisingly marketable:
- “You’re My Cup of Tea”
- “Spill the Tea”
- “Sip Sip Hooray!”
- “You’re Tea-rific”
- “Let’s Par-tea”
These work well in bold typography designs or with whimsical illustrated characters. Think smiling teabags, gossiping teacups, or a flamboyant teapot wearing a crown.
4. Global Celebration (International Tea Day Focus)
Highlight tea cultures around the world:
- Japanese matcha ceremony
- Indian chai stall scene
- Moroccan mint tea with ornate glasses
- Chinese tea ceremony table
- British afternoon tea
A tasteful, respectful approach here can broaden appeal and give artists room for beautiful pattern work and cultural details.
5. Tea & Friendship
Tea is rarely a solo act in greeting card land.
Design ideas:
- Two teacups leaning toward each other
- Best friends at a tea table
- Mother & daughter tea date
- Long-distance “Wish we were sharing tea”
This could cross into Birthday, Thank You, or Just Because subcategories later on.
Text Suggestions for International Tea Day (May 21st)
Front-of-Card Ideas:
- “Happy International Tea Day”
- “Celebrating the World, One Cup at a Time”
- “May Your Cup Be Full Today”
- “Steeped in Tradition & Comfort”
- “Here’s to the Leaves That Bring Us Together”
Inside Text Ideas:
- “Wishing you warmth, comfort, and a perfectly brewed moment.”
- “Today we celebrate the simple ritual that connects cultures and hearts.”
- “Pour yourself a cup and savor the pause.”
Text Suggestions for National Tea Day (UK – April 21st)
Front-of-Card Ideas:
- “Happy National Tea Day!”
- “Keep Calm and Put the Kettle On”
- “Time for a Proper Cuppa”
- “Pinkies Up!”
- “A Very British Celebration”
Inside Text Ideas:
- “Wishing you scones, clotted cream, and the perfect brew.”
- “May your tea be strong and your biscuits never soggy.”
- “Here’s to tradition, comfort, and a well-timed kettle whistle.”
Humor Card Ideas
Front-of-Card:
- “I Run on Tea and Mild Sarcasm.”
- “Tea First. Everything Else Later.”
- “This Meeting Could Have Been a Teatime.”
- “My Blood Type Is Earl Grey.”
- “Let’s Steep It Real.”
Inside:
- “Refill required.”
- “We take our tea seriously.”
- “Some like it hot. I like it steeped.”
Design Tips for GCU Artists
- Our standard folded format means bold focal points shine. A beautifully illustrated teapot centered in portrait orientation can be incredibly striking.
- Keep metallic effects illustrated rather than relying on print finishes. Faux gold detailing works wonderfully.
- Consider typography-forward designs for quick-to-produce additions to the category.
- Tea lends itself beautifully to both watercolor softness and crisp vector art, so lean into your strengths.
Why These Categories Matter
Tea is universal. It crosses age groups, cultures, and occasions. It can be elegant, funny, comforting, or celebratory. And both of these subcategories are still growing, which means opportunity.
So put the kettle on, gather your sketchbook, and let your creativity steep just long enough to be perfect.
Because in the greeting card world, there is always time for tea.
Happy Designing!
Corrie
GCU Community 