Did you know that 1 in 2 males and 1 in 3 females in Australia will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85? With more and more of us having first-hand experience with the insidious disease, we are looking for a way to get involved and help find a cure. Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, run by the Cancer Council, is the perfect occasion to entertain, cook up a storm and raise money for a worthy cause.
A worthy excuse for yummy treats over tea
Get involved and make a difference in an enjoyable way: Help the Cancer Council reach their fundraising goal of $13 million to go towards cancer research and patient support by enjoying Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea on Thursday, May 23.
How to host your own Biggest Morning Tea
Sign up
The Cancer Council has done all the hard work for you. Go to their website to register and set up your online fundraising page. You will be sent a host toolkit to help you plan for your event and there are big prizes up for grabs.
Plan it out
Taking care of the little details early on can make all the difference between a successful event that raises lots of money and a flop that leaves you feeling flustered and exhausted. Make sure you consider:
- When to have it. The official date for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is Thursday, May 23, but events can held any time in May or June.
- Who to invite. Is this going to be the event of the season or is this just a casual gathering with a good cause? Will it be for work colleagues, a public community event, a group of girlfriends or your mothers group?
- What location. Whether you host your morning tea in the work lunch room, at the park or in your home, you can still add personalised touches that will get people in the mood. Make sure if you are hosting it outdoors that you have a contingency plan for bad weather.
- Invitations. Make it official, send invitations and ask for an RSVP so you know who to expect.
How to be the hostess with the mostess >>
Decorate
We spoke to professional baker and event decorator Jenna from Love Bites Cookies and Cakes to hear the latest trends and best looks in decorating this season. “Dessert or sweets tables are in and are a great focal point for an event. They involve a bit of creativity and are a lot of fun to decorate, just think of a theme and go from there. It is important to think beyond table level and create height and depth through a backdrop and serving dishes at different heights. At the moment I love using ombre and chevron print fabrics and ribbons as inspiration and can’t go past the eclectic vintage look for more intimate gatherings. The mix of rustic hessian, with recycled glass bottles and jars for pretty flowers and tealight candles is inexpensive and very effective.”
Need more decorating ideas, DIY bunting >>
Cook up a storm
Celebrating their 20th year, the Cancer Council has a host of famous ambassadors on board to make Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea bigger and better than ever. Check out some of the favourite morning tea recipes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Wilson (author of I Quit Sugar) and celebrity chef Manu Feildel from My Kitchen Rules.
According to Jenna, you can’t go past cupcakes for any event, “Everyone loves them no matter what age. They are quick to bake and easy to eat and if it is a larger event, cupcakes on a stand can be an effective centre point of the food table, or even a focal point of the room.”
Try this special salted caramel apple cupcake recipe >>
Raise some money
While it is lovely to play host and provide a yummy morning tea, make sure your guests are aware of the cause and jump on board to help with your fundraising efforts.
- You can make it easy for them to donate by including instructions or even a link to the Cancer Council on their invite.
- Use social media to spread the word and allow people to get involved in your fundraising efforts, even if they can’t make your actual event.
- Make it fun. You might be able to organise a guest speaker or entertainer who will be relevant to your guests or find a sponsor who is willing to donate a prize to be part of a raffle on the day. The more incentives there are for people to come, the better response you are likely to get.
More morning tea recipes
Pumpkin scones
Lamington trio
Party vol-au-vents
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