A Tea Party at Christmas is like stepping into a holiday wonderland of indulgence and charm! Picture this: a festive table decked out with sparkling ornaments, delicate china, and a spread of delicious treats that could make even Santa consider swapping cookies for finger sandwiches. With warm scones, clotted cream, and a selection of teas ranging from spiced cinnamon to fruity blends, it’s the perfect way to cozy up with loved ones in a joyful, relaxed atmosphere. Plus, the seasonal pastries—like gingerbread cookies, cranberry tarts, and tiny mince pies—add a deliciously merry touch to the occasion. Whether you’re gathering for a pre-Christmas celebration or just need a little extra holiday cheer, High Tea brings the spirit of the season together with elegance, warmth, and a whole lot of sweetness!
You can go all out with this cozy Christmas theme and guests will be enchanted by the selection of festive food, drinks and decorations. This theme is also ideal for a Christmas-time wedding or bridal shower.
Setting the Table
The table at the Christmas-themed tea party sparkles with festive elegance, featuring a white lace tablecloth adorned with silver candle holders, red and gold napkins, and an array of delicate china cups, all surrounded by small pinecones, sprigs of holly, and twinkling fairy lights for a touch of holiday magic. We love to delight our guests with the added luxury of classic teacups and side plates like these ones from the Royal Albert Collection.
Using silverware at a Christmas tea party adds a touch of timeless elegance, elevating the festive atmosphere with its gleaming shine and creating a sense of refinement that makes each delicate bite and sip feel like a special celebration of the season. A Christmas Tea Party is an excuse to use your best of everything!
This Country Roses cutlery set pairs perfectly with the Country Roses Dinner set and makes a strong traditional statement for the event.
Using classic tea cups and saucers at a Christmas tea party adds a delightful charm, with their delicate porcelain designs and vintage appeal, making each sip feel like a cherished tradition and bringing a touch of old-world elegance to the festive gathering. Mismatched teacups and saucers add a classic vintage tea party vibe to this Christmas event. You can try to stay with classic red, green and gold colors or go for all the colors in the rainbow.
Side plates at a Christmas tea party are the perfect practical touch, offering a space for guests to elegantly enjoy their sweet and savory treats while keeping the atmosphere refined, ensuring that every bite of mince pie or finger sandwich feels as special as the occasion itself. Set a pretty vintage style side plate on the table for your guests.
Garlands on the table of a Christmas tea party add a festive, natural touch that brings warmth and coziness to the setting, weaving in the rich textures of evergreen, pinecones, and berries to create a visually stunning centerpiece that enhances the holiday spirit and makes the gathering feel like a magical winter celebration.
Add some fun with these classic plaid napkins in green and red.
Name cards on the table at a Christmas tea party add a personal touch, making each guest feel special and thoughtfully included while also helping to create an organized and welcoming atmosphere. They can also serve as a charming holiday decoration, adding a little extra sparkle and warmth to the overall festive presentation.
Decorating the Table
Christmas decorations on the table turn your tea party into a festive feast for the eyes, with twinkling lights, tiny snowflakes, and miniature reindeer adding a playful touch that makes every moment feel like a scene from a holiday fairy tale!
This fun gingerbread tree is a cute way to bring a cozy vintage warmth to the table.
Using small Santa hats as cutlery holders is a delightful and whimsical touch that adds a dash of festive fun to your Christmas tea party! Not only do they keep your silverware neatly in place, but they also bring a smile to every guest, transforming each setting into a cheerful, merry little moment that’s full of holiday magic.
Silver Decorations on the table look great when paired with fresh flowers, candles and fairy lights. Your guests will feel like they have arrived at a winter wonderland.
Decorative candle holders at a Christmas tea party create a warm, cozy glow that adds a touch of magic to the atmosphere, casting soft light over the table and enhancing the festive spirit. Whether they’re shaped like snowflakes, stars, or even mini Christmas trees, these little illuminations set the perfect mood for sipping tea and sharing holiday cheer with friends and family.
These pretty golden tealight holders also add joy to the table without extra fuss.
We saw this idea used at a fabulous festive event, and fell in love with the simplicity of a white tree and glass tea light holders.
No party is complete without the perfect soundtrack. Let the Brat Pack of Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. help you out with their classic Christmas sounds.
What to Wear?
For a Christmas tea party, the key is to blend festive charm with a touch of elegance. Women might opt for a cozy yet sophisticated outfit, like a lovely sweater dress or a festive blouse paired with a skirt or tailored pants, adding a sparkly scarf or a statement necklace for extra holiday flair. Men can keep it classic with a smart button-down shirt or a cozy sweater, perhaps layered with a blazer for a bit of extra polish. Think of it as a chance to wear your favorite holiday colors—rich reds, deep greens, and metallic accents—while keeping the vibe warm, welcoming, and just a touch refined. And don’t forget your holiday spirit—perhaps a cheerful brooch or a fun pair of Christmas socks to add that personal, festive touch!
We love these classic Audrey Hepburn inspired vintage dresses. Paired with a pair of kitten heels and a glam up-do these style dresses help you really take the role of vintage hostess.
Add some drama to your outfit with a beautiful fascinator and lace gloves. We love this dramatic black with bright red lipstick!
Or this bright red hat and feather!
Invitations
Vintage Tea party invitations that invite guests to a cozy, nostalgic festive tea party. We love these romantic lace and ribbon invitations that come in a wide range of colors.
Serving the Food:
Tiered plates are a charming and practical way to serve food at a Christmas tea party, creating an elegant, multi-level presentation that not only looks stunning but also maximizes space on the table. The tiers allow guests to easily access a variety of treats—like delicate finger sandwiches, scones, and festive pastries—while adding an extra touch of sophistication, as if each delicious bite is part of a carefully curated holiday display. Plus, the visual appeal of stacked plates brings a sense of grandeur to the gathering, making every course feel like a special occasion.
Food Inspirations – Savory:
- Mini Quiches (spinach and feta, ham and cheese, or mushroom)
- Cucumber Sandwiches with dill and cream cheese
- Smoked Salmon Canapés on rye or pumpernickel bread
- Mini Sausage Rolls or puff pastry bites
- Cheese and Herb Scones with chutney or butter
- Miniature Croissant Sandwiches with turkey and cranberry or chicken salad
- Deviled Eggs with a sprinkle of paprika or chives
- Brie and Cranberry Tartlets
- Olives and Pickles in small bowls for snacking
- Stuffed Mushrooms with cream cheese, garlic, and herbs
- Spinach and Ricotta Palmiers
- Herbed Goat Cheese on Crostini with roasted tomatoes
- Pâté on Crackers or with thin slices of baguette
- Roast Beef and Horseradish Canapés
- Mini Yorkshire Puddings with roast beef or turkey gravy
These savory bites provide the perfect balance to the sweet treats at your Christmas tea party and will surely impress your guests!
Sweet Food Inspirations
Here’s a list of sweet treats that will add festive flair to your Christmas tea party:
- Miniature Gingerbread Men decorated with icing
- Cranberry Orange Scones served with clotted cream and jam
- Mince Pies filled with spiced fruit and topped with a buttery crust
- Christmas Sugar Cookies in the shape of stars, trees, and bells, dusted with sparkling sugar
- Chocolate Truffles with festive flavors like peppermint or orange
- Fruitcake Bites or miniature fruitcakes drizzled with brandy butter
- Pecan Tartlets with a sweet, nutty filling
- Candy Cane Meringues that melt in your mouth with a hint of peppermint
- Yule Log Slices (Bûche de Noël) with chocolate ganache and festive decorations
- Snowball Cookies (Russian tea cakes) dusted in powdered sugar
- Cinnamon Rolls with a light glaze or frosting
- Mini Cupcakes decorated with red and green frosting or sprinkles
- Fudge in rich chocolate, peppermint, or salted caramel flavors
- Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries with a festive red and white coating
- Spiced Apple or Pear Tarts with cinnamon and nutmeg
These sweet treats will delight your guests and fill the air with the irresistible aromas of Christmas baking!
Cupcakes with Christmas-themed toppers
Tea Selections
The teas at a Christmas tea party are as varied and comforting as the season itself, offering warm, fragrant blends like spiced chai, cinnamon-infused black tea, and festive cranberry or citrus blends. Whether enjoyed with a splash of milk or a spoonful of honey, each cup is the perfect companion to the delicious treats, adding an extra layer of holiday warmth and coziness to the gathering.
We love to offer beautiful smelling teas at a tea party. One of our favorites is the Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea – a black tea with an aroma of orange and sweet cloves.
If it is cold outside, why not help your guests warm up with a beautiful hot chocolate bar. Let guests make their own luxury hot chocolate with all the trappings. A hot chocolate bar at a Christmas tea party is the ultimate indulgence, allowing guests to customize their cocoa with an array of delicious toppings like whipped cream, peppermint sticks, marshmallows, and a sprinkle of cinnamon or chocolate shavings. It’s a fun and festive treat that adds a cozy, interactive element to the party, perfect for sipping while chatting or enjoying the holiday cheer!
Get Inspired with more Christmas Recipes:
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