It’s that time of the year again! If you’re lucky, the snow is gently falling outside your window! Christmas trees are being decorated and stockings are being hung. Shoppers are bustling and presents are being wrapped. Holiday cheer fills the air. And so does the rich scent of tea! It’s time for a Christmas Tea Party.
If you are a tea party lover who would like to celebrate the season of giving, why not have your own tea party at your home? If this sounds like a fun festive idea to you, then let’s get started planning today.
How to Host a Delightful Christmas Tea Party
Christmas is a wonderful time of year to gather with family and friends, and it’s the perfect excuse to celebrate the holiday season with a festive Christmas Tea Party! Whether you’re hosting for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, this guide will help you create a memorable experience filled with delicious tea, delightful treats, and heartwarming connections.
Set the Scene with a Festive Theme
First of all, you can start putting your Christmas tea party together with holiday decorations.
A successful Christmas afternoon tea begins with a well thought out festive theme. Perhaps a cozy feel if you are in a cold climate or a cool beachy theme if you are in a hot climate. Decorate your tea table with elegant tea cups and a tea set. For an extra touch of glamour you could have a tea set featuring gold trim! this is definitely the time to bring out the good silver!
To set the festive tone incorporate little details like dried fruit, candied ginger, and adorn with pine wreaths and holly, or palm fronds or sprays of eucalyptus if that is local to where you live. Perhaps you could put a poinsettia centerpiece in the middle of each table. If you’re feeling creative, visit a thrift store to find unique vintage tea sets that will charm your guests. Enjoy creating a beautiful table setting because it will be sure to be a big hit with all who attend.
Also, be sure to set your table in the traditional quality tea party manner. Use our guide “How to Set the Table for Tea – Eight Helpful Tips”.
For invitations, consider sending cards with designs featuring festive spices or gingerbread men. These small touches make your event feel extra special and have your invitees inspired and excited to attend
Decorating and Gathering Around the Tree
The Christmas tree is not only a beautiful focus for Christmas time but also a natural and meaningful gathering point. To make it the heart of your party, start by inviting your guests to bring or make their own tea-inspired ornaments. These can include ornaments crafted with tea spoons, bon bons, or even cute individual tea packets tied with festive ribbons. This activity allows everyone to contribute to the tree’s decorations, creating a shared sense of connection and creativity.
Once the tree is adorned, start the Christmas celebration and gather around it for storytelling. Encourage them to share their favorite Christmas time memories, traditions, or even a cherished afternoon tea party experience. This reflective moment can deepen bonds and bring warmth to the gathering.
Finally, use the tree as a focal point for gift giving. Place small gift packages beneath it, filled with thoughtful items such as sample teas, candied or chocolate ginger, or cinnamon swizzle sticks. As each person departs, invite them to select a gift from under the tree. This simple gesture leaves them with a lasting memory of your hospitality and extends the festive spirit beyond the party.
Crafting the Perfect Menu
No tea party is complete without delicious food and tea, so a well planned menu is the place to start. But do keep recipes simple, as you need to enjoy yourself and your holidays and not be too stretched.
At your Christmas tea party, you can serve bite-sized snacks. Try some pumpkin bread topped with honey nut cream cheese. Serve mini roast beef sandwiches. For the sweet tooth, you can serve fudge squares or delicious little sugar cookies. All who try these will be licking their lips in delight.
Here’s more inspiration and a few ideas on how to build a menu that will impress:
Ideas for Savoury Snacks
– Smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches
– Chicken salad or egg salad finger sandwiches
– Mini quiches or savory tarts
Ideas for Sweet Treats
– Sugar cookies in festive shapes
– Yule logs, gingerbread men, and mince pies
– Scones with clotted cream and jam
Tip: Seek out a local bakery for a beautifully made Christmas cake or biscuits (cookies) if you’re short on time.
What Tea to Serve?
So you have your decorations, your tree, and your food menu… but let’s not forget about the most important thing of all – the tea!
Always a Loose Leaf Tea! Or, Quality Tea Bags ❤️
Start with a traditional selection of leaf teas: black tea varieties like Earl Grey or English Breakfast.
For a Christmas tea party, you should certainly serve hot-spiced teas! Cold climate or hot! Try a Ceylon black tea that is flavored with spicy cinnamon, and other festive spices like strong cloves, and flavorful orange peels.
Whilst loose tealeaves are always going to deliver a better cup of tea, if it comes to the difference between hosting the Christmas Afternoon Tea and not, then most certainly do choose tea bags!
Other Ideas
You can even make or purchase a variety of twelve teas, and serve tastes of “The Twelve Teas of Christmas”. The teas you choose are completely up to you. Your guests will savor the fun opportunity to try their favorite picks. As a result, they may even discover a new favorite!
For those who enjoy a tipple, offer a Hot cider or a mild alcoholic drink for variety – but it certainly isn’t necessesary to have alcohol on the menu. You can find a few simple recipies for alcohol-free beverages to serve HERE.
Fun Activities to Keep the Festive Spirits High
Adding interactive and engaging activities to your Christmas tea party can make the event even more memorable. One delightful idea is to set up a DIY ornament station. Provide craft supplies like dried fruit, ribbons, and tea sachets, and invite your guests to create their own unique ornaments! This not only sparks creativity but also gives everyone a lovely keepsake to take home.
Another enjoyable activity is hosting a tea-tasting session called “The Twelve Teas of Christmas.” Lay out a selection of loose leaf teas, including festive blends like cinnamon-spiced black tea or fruity herbal teas, and let your guests sample each one. It’s a fun way to introduce new flavors and add a touch of holiday spirit.
Finally, consider setting up a fun photo corner near the tree. Add props such as tea cups, Santa hats, or festive scarves and encourage your guests to capture joyful moments. This simple addition ensures everyone leaves with a tangible memory of your gathering as well as having fun together.
Hosting Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas Tea Party
– Prepare as much as possible the day before: bake biscuits, set up the tea table and organize decorations.
– Offer a mix of seating areas so your guests can mingle or relax.
– Keep a pot of warm tea ready at all times for easy refills.
– Write a detailed checklist of everything you need to prepare, including timings for tasks like setting the table, preparing food and brewing tea.
– Have a “hostess kit” ready with extra napkins, utensils and a plan for quick cleanup if needed in case of spills!
A Merry Farewell with Thoughtful Tea Party Favors
Don’t let your guests leave empty-handed. When your friends leave the tea party, you can present them with small gift packages – Christmas presents – from your home to theirs. These gifts can be located under the tree, where they can be picked up upon departure.
Small, heartfelt Christmas gifts like tea samples, festive candied ginger, or even thrift shop tea cups make lovely keepsakes. Wrap them in colorful bags and place them under the tree for a warm send-off.
No matter what gifts you choose to give, your party will be sure to warm the hearts and the souls of all who attend. Your friends and family will enjoy it so much, that they will come back to your home begging for tea parties no matter what the season!
More Than Just an Afternoon Tea!
Hosting a Christmas Tea Party is a delightful way to celebrate the holidays and create lasting memories. From a beautifully set tea table to meaningful moments around the tree, your guests will leave feeling the warmth of the season and the joy of your hospitality. This is truly a wonderful time to celebrate, connect, and savor every moment. Cheers to a merry Christmas and a successful Christmas Tea Party!
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