Christmas Afternoon Tea Recipes
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There's something magical about a Christmas Afternoon Tea-warm cups, festive flavors, and a table filled with tiny bites and holiday cheer. This updated version brings together my favorite recipes and hosting tips to inspire a beautiful December tea.
This updated guide reflects the recipes and traditions I return to year after year-festive scones, tiny sandwiches, miniature cakes, and warm winter teas-each adding its own sparkle to the December table.
Christmas Afternoon Tea Overview
Christmas afternoon tea has all the charm of a traditional tiered tea, but with the flavors and colors of the season. Think citrus and cranberry, spiced pastries, buttery scones, and a pot of steaming Christmas tea or peppermint herbal blend.
It’s comforting, joyful, and wonderfully adaptable-perfect for leisurely December weekends or small gatherings before the holiday rush truly begins.
I like to think of it as a moment to slow down the season and savor the beauty of winter baking.
You will find inspiring recipes and ideas for decking your halls, lighting candles, and creating easy but memorable finger foods and sweet tea treats your guests will love.
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What You'll Love About This Christmas Tea
- Seasonal flavors that feel cozy, bright, and festive.
- A flexible menu you can adapt for morning, afternoon, or evening gatherings.
- Make-ahead friendly recipes for low-stress hosting.
- Warm, celebratory touches that make the table feel special without feeling complicated.
- A beautiful tradition to enjoy with friends, neighbors, or family each December.
Christmas Tea Menu
A festive, three-tier style menu that highlights the season's very best flavors.
Savory Bites
A few small savory items help balance the sweetness of the scones and pastries.
Tea Sandwiches:
See our Make Ahead Tea Sandwiches for dozens of finger sandwich recipes with tips on making them in advance.
Warm Savories:
- Mini quiches
- Savory puff-pastry twists or cheese straws like this Spinach Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
- Rose Zucchini Tartlets
Scones
Scones are essential for any tea, but especially at Christmas, when bright citrus, dried fruit, and spice take center stage.
Served with: homemade clotted cream or softly whipped cream, honey butter, and orange or raspberry preserves.
Sweets
A small assortment of sweets provides the perfect finale to a holiday tea.
Tea Selection & Pairing Notes
Choosing the proper tea adds grace and warmth to your menu.
- Black teas pair beautifully with scones and rich pastries.
- Spiced holiday blends complement gingerbread, citrus, and cranberry.
- Peppermint or vanilla herbal teas offer a soothing, post-dessert finish.
Christmas Afternoon Tea Recipes
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Raspberry-Hazelnut Torte
Flavored with delectable hazelnuts, fresh raspberries, and a scrumptious Whipped Cream Frosting, this beautiful and impressive dessert is perfect for afternoon tea at Christmas.
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Red Velvet Cake
The pièce de resistance of any celebration, sumptuous Red Velvet Cake boasts a festive wreath of sugared cranberries and rosemary.
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Chocolate Bundt Cake: Deliciously Simple Christmas Cake
Rich and utterly divine, this Chocolate Bundt Cake is an easy-to-make, super moist, dense, chocolate pound cake recipe you won't forget anytime soon. Rich but simple with a hint of espresso.
Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe
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Simple Christmas Raspberry Trifle Recipe
This simple Raspberry Christmas Trifle Recipe is an easy to make layered dessert of fresh raspberries, ladyfingers, and a heavenly pastry cream. It's a festive, traditional style British Christmas dessert that takes minutes to make, plus chilling time.
Easy Christmas Trifle Recipe
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Yule Log (Buche de Noel)
This festive Yule Log, a traditional rolled, flourless Christmas cake, is filled with luscious whipped cream and adorned with bark-like etchings of decadent chocolate buttercream frosting.
Yule Log Recipe
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Easy Gingerbread Loaf Cake
This easy-to-make Gingerbread Loaf Cake is a timeless, classic recipe for a dense, soft, richly flavored treat. Filled with molasses, brown sugar, and cozy, warm spices, every bite of this moist and tender cake will remind you of holiday flavors and wintery days and is perfect addition to a Christmas Afternoon Tea sweets course.
Gingerbread Loaf Cake Recipe
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Spiced Christmas Cake
This Spiced Christmas Cake is a buttery, light, and moist spice cake rich with warm spices of the season. Simply dusted with confectioners' sugar and topped with sugared cranberries. It's a beautiful, festive, and simple cake, perfect for the holidays.
Spiced Christmas Cake Recipe
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Soft and Spicy Gingerbread Bundt Cake
“Perfect for a holiday tea… or an evening curled up in front of the fire.”
Gingerbread Bundt Cake
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Anytime Lemon Cake Recipe
Indulge in the moist and tender goodness of this homemade Lemon Cake Recipe. Easy to make with bright citrus flavors, it's the perfect treat for tea or coffee.
Easy Lemon Teacake Recipe
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Red Velvet Bundt Cake
This Red Velvet Bundt Cake is an incredibly moist, velvety, soft, red-colored cake with a delicious cream cheese filling. Utterly perfect and festive for a holiday themed afternoon tea.
Red Velvet Cake Recipe
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Easy Cranberry Poached Pears
These Cranberry Poached Pears are a delicious and festive holiday dessert. And so simple to make, you'll find them a perfect addition to your seasonal feasts and gatherings. Poached in cranberry juice, they're sweet and fragrant with orange, cinnamon, and cloves.
Cranberry Poached Pears Recipe
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Easy Cranberry Cream Cheese Danish
Cut into small slices, these easy Cranberry Cream Cheese Danishes will bring the holidays to your your tea table! Twirls of flaky puff pastry are braided over layers of sweetened cream cheese and a delicious cranberry filling with hints of cinnamon and citrus. Every bite of this glazed braided danish is holiday-worthy!
Braided Cream Cheese Danish
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Lighter Christmas Cake with Apple and Fruit
This Christmas Cake is a delicious and moist cake packed with dried fruit, citrus zest, and applesauce. And with every bite, you will taste the holidays.
Easy Fruit Cake Recipe
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Irish Barmbrack Tea Cake
Much like an easy fruit cake, Irish Barmbrack is filled with soaked dry fruit with delicious and interesting flavors. Perfect for a teatime bread course.
Irish Barmbrack Tea Cake Recipe
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Cranberry Orange Muffins (Refined-Sugar Free)
These Cranberry Orange Muffins are a healthier, 100% whole grain, naturally sweetened version of a classic holiday favorite. Bursting with cranberry and orange flavors, and warm spices too, these soft and tender muffins are a festive addition to your holiday table!
Cranberry Orange Muffins
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Snowflake Sandwich Cookies with Eggnog Spice Filling
Pretty snowflake sandwich cookies flavored with a scrumptious and festive Eggnog Spice Filling make a picture-perfect sweet for the holiday season.
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Raspberry Jam Pinwheel Cookies
Simple pinwheel cookies with festive and delicious Christmasy filling is a sweet addition to Christmas tea.
Jam Pinwheel Cookies
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Honey Spiced Clementine Cakes – Victoria
Baked in individual portions, Honey Spiced Clementine Cakes dazzle with sliced fruit that caramelizes during the baking process for a mouthwatering dessert perfect with a favorite holiday beverage. Honey Spiced Clementine Cakes Makes 6 cakes Ingredients Topping: 6 teaspoons light brown sugar 1 clementine, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch-thick rounds Cake: ¼ cup unsalted
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Simple Pecan Tassies Recipe
Simple to make Pecan Tassies are perfect, teacup-size bites of deliciousness and perfect to add to your holiday tier tray.
Pecan Tassies Recipe
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Easy Orange Cake Recipe
A soft, moist, and easy iced Orange Cake with irresistible citrus flavors. Perfect for gifting, celebrations, or sweet cravings – no mixer needed!
Orange Cake Recipe
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Orange-Glazed Pound Cake
Garnished with kumquats and fresh rosemary, Orange-Glazed Pound Cake, the cover cake from our November/December 2014 issue, is a fabulous Christmas dessert.
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Christmas Kugelhopf: A Sweet Spiced Fruit Cake
Christmas Kugelhopf is a moist sponge cake infused with aromatic spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It has a soft and tender texture that is incredibly delightful. This traditional spiced fruit cake is popular in Austria, Alsace, Germany, and Switzerland.
Spiced Fruit Cake Recipe
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Plum Pudding
This modern interpretation of a traditional English Plum Pudding is made in the microwave oven.
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Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Mini Cakes (vegan, gluten-free, nut-free) – Nirvana Cakery
Vegan, gluten-free and nut-free wholesome chocolate mini cakes filled with quick cranberry chia jam.
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Mini Orange Marmalade Cakes
An homage to Esther Bolick's signature dessert in the treasured Mitford series, our Mini Orange Marmalade Cakes feature ribbons of marmalade between layers of fluffy cake crowned with creamy vanilla frosting and fresh begonias.
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Cherry Danish Christmas Tree
This Cherry Danish Christmas Tree doubles as both a scrumptious offering for a brunch-themed tea and as a pretty centerpiece for your holiday tablescape.
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Swedish Tea Ring: Festive Sweet Bread
Christmas Swedish Tea Ring, filled with cinnamon, sugar, and raisins and topped with a simple powdered sugar glaze, is a beautiful and delicious Scandinavian recipe for the holiday season!
Swedish Tea Ring Recipe
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Easy Christmas Icebox Cookies (Slice and Bake Cookies)
These Christmas Icebox Cookies are slice and bake cookies that are incredibly easy to make, festive with colors of the season, and delicious with a vanilla buttery crumb.
Easy Slice and Bake Cookies Recipe
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Vanilla Tea Cake Cookies
Vanilla Tea Cake Cookies are a simple buttery, soft vanilla tea cookie perfect for afternoon tea. Much like Scottish Shortbread, the ingredients are simple, but the texture and vanilla flavors are deliciously unforgettable.
Vanilla Tea Cake Cookies
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Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
Christmas Thumbprint Cookies are buttery cookies filled with jam and rolled in finely chopped almonds. A classic Christmas cookie perfect for parties, cookie platters, or Holiday cookie exchanges.
Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
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Peppermint Mocha Chocolate Blossom Cookies
These Peppermint Mocha Chocolate Blossom cookies are like Christmas in every bite. They are densely rich with chocolate and espresso, merry and bright with peppermint, and crunchy with sparkling sugar.
Mocha Chocolate Blossom Cookies
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Easy Spritz Cookies Recipe
These Spritz Cookies are an easy recipe that makes dozens of sweet bite-size, dense cookies with a delicious buttery vanilla flavor. A quick and simple Christmas cookie for trays, gifts, or tea.
Spritz Cookies Recipe
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Mini Snowflake Cupcakes
Mini Snowflake Cupcakes from "A Merry Little Christmas Tea" in November/December 2018 issue.
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Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
Cranberry Pistachio Cookies are festive biscotti-style cookies filled with tart cranberries, crunchy pistachios, and warm cinnamon. Perfect for holiday gifting, cookie boxes, and pairing with your favorite coffee or tea.
Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
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Snowflake Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Snowflake Shortbread Cookies are buttery, light, and delicate, perfect for chilly winter days, holiday cookie trays, or teatime with your favorite people.
Snowflake Shortbread Cookies
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Buckingham Palace Shortbread Cookies
Buckingham Palace Shortbread Cookies are a recipe from pastry chef John Higgins that's perfect for the holidays or afternoon tea.
Buckingham Palace Shortbread Recipe
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Christmas Tree Tea Sandwiches
Cucumber tea sandwiches are always welcome at teatime, but this charming version will enchant your guests.
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Festive Christmas Eve Tea Sandwiches
These delightful Christmas Eve Tea Sandwiches are both festive and scrumptious. Made with simplicity in mind, they truly capture the essence of the holiday season with their vibrant red, white, and green colors.
Christmas Tea Sandwiches Recipe
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Turkey & Pesto Tea Sandwiches
Turkey & Pesto Tea Sandwiches are beautifully tied with chives to resemble perfectly petite presents.
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Smoked Turkey and Cranberry Cream Sandwiches
These Smoked Turkey and Cranberry Cream Sandwiches are a delightful addition to any holiday tea event.
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Beef au Poivre and Watercress Tea Sandwiches Recipe
These watercress tea sandwiches are made even better with caramelized shallot butter.
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Radish and Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
These opened-face Radish and Cucumber Tea Sandwiches are as delightful to the eye as they are to the palate. Scrumptious, crisp, and peppery radish flavors mingle with curried butter for a decidedly unique addition to your tea party.
Radish Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches Recipe
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Simple Ham Salad Tea Sandwiches
A simple ham salad recipe elevated to incredible with the addition of a few unique ingredients. And is utterly delicious. Ready in 10 minutes, it's a salad you'll make all season!
Ham Salad Tea Sandwiches Recipe
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Santa Hat Scones
These charming and oh-so delicious Santa Hat Scones are sure to delight children and adults alike at a whimsical Christmas tea.
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Cranberry-Pecan Scones
Cranberries, toasted pecans, and chopped rosemary make flavorful Cranberry-Pecan Scones.
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Cinnamon-Date Scones
Curl up before a fire with Cinnamon-Date Scones and a freshly brewed cup of tea.
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Easy Gingerbread Scones
Gingerbread Scones bring instant holiday coziness to your home with these flavorful, delicious scones-tender with cream and molasses and warmly spiced with the season's best flavors.
Gingerbread Scones
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Ginger Pecan Cranberry Scones
"A cozy treat throughout the holidays, made perfect with a cup of tea."
Cranberry Scones Recipe
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Royal Currant Scones Recipe
A Royal Currant Scones Recipe, from the archives of Queen Elizabeth, to serve with afternoon tea, or anytime you're craving an authentic British style scone.
Currant Scones Recipe
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Cranberry-Orange Scones
These delectable Cranberry-Orange Scones are refreshing autumn treat.
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Best Scones Recipe
These buttery scones are light, flaky, and delicious-perfect for breakfast, brunch, or teatime. Simple ingredients and easy technique make them a go-to favorite.
Afternoon Tea Scone Recipe
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Homemade Clotted Cream
This easy homemade clotted cream recipe takes just 5 minutes and 3 ingredients-a quick, creamy substitute for traditional clotted cream, perfect with scones and afternoon tea.
Homemade Clotted Cream Recipe
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Gluten-Free Banana-Nut Scones
These delicious Gluten-free Banana-Nut Scones feature pecans, banana chips, and cinnamon.
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Texas Caviar and Goat Cheese Crostini
Texas caviar, a traditional Southern favorite, becomes a gourmet treat when served with goat cheese on toasted baguettes.
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Mini Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls Appetizer
Mini Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls, a festive, delicious appetizer or snack for the holidays, that's so simple and easy it will become your go-to recipe. Packed with cranberries, pecans, fresh parsley and seasoned with cinnamon and honey. It's incredibly delicious.
Goat Cheese Balls Appetizer Recipe
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Creamy Chestnut Mushroom Soup
"This is an easy, festive, perfect-for-the-season soup. Earthy chestnuts and mushrooms are simmered in a fresh herb-infused broth before being pureed into a creamy soup."
Chestnut Mushroom Soup Recipe
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Warm Vichyssoise Soup Recipe
This Warm Vichyssoise Soup is a vintage potato soup recipe, much like cream of potato soup. It's a French-inspired creamy and velvety soup that is deliciously special and even elegant. Plus, it can be made in 15 minutes or less.
Warm Vichyssoise Soup Recipe
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Christmas Ham and Cheese Quiche
Make your breakfast or brunch extra special with this easy and delicious ham and cheese quiche recipe. Perfect for holidays or any occasion!
Ham and Cheese Quiche
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Easy Mini Quiche Recipe
Homemade Mini Quiche is so incredibly easy to make, you'll find yourself skipping the freezer section of your market.
Mini Quiche Recipe
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Smoked Salmon Quiche Recipe
Smoked Salmon Quiche is a delightful dish that's simple to make, utterly creamy and delicious, and a wonderful addition to any tea.
Smoked Salmon Quiche
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Pepper Jelly Brie Bites
Pepper Jelly Brie Bites are crispy phyllo shells filled with slightly spicy pepper jelly topped with creamy brie cheese. Sweet and savory bites of flaky deliciousness!
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Mini Yorkshire Pudding Canapés
Mini Yorkshire Pudding Canapés with roast beef and horseradish sauce, the best appetizer of the British cuisine .
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Santa Hat Brownie Bites Recipe
Festive, easy, and irresistibly cute - these Santa Hat Brownie Bites are the quickest holiday dessert you'll make all season. Perfect for parties, trays, brunch, and Christmas celebrations!
Santa Hat Brownie Bites Recipe
Hosting Ideas & Inspiration
Setting the Festive Tea Table
A beautiful Christmas tea table doesn't need to be complicated. A few seasonal touches go a long way:
- Use a simple white or cream tablecloth as a wintery backdrop.
- Add evergreen sprigs-cedar, fir, rosemary-or tiny ornaments for natural charm.
- Mix everyday dishes with one or two special holiday pieces.
- A few candles always make the table feel magical in December's early dusk.
Afternoon tea is meant to be leisurely, comforting, and joyful-your table should reflect that ease.
Make-Ahead Tips
A little prep ahead of time makes hosting effortless:
- Bake cookies and biscotti up to a week in advance.
- Prepare sandwich fillings the day before; assemble sandwiches just before serving.
- Mix scone dough the night before; bake fresh for the best texture.
- Brew tea concentrate ahead and warm just before pouring.
- Set the tea table the night before so the morning feels peaceful and ready.
Festive table setting with Christmas-themed plates, gold flatware, holiday napkins, a red tablecloth, drinks perfect for a Christmas Tea, and greenery decor.
Hosting a Christmas Afternoon Tea
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Overhead view of a festive Christmas Tea table set with assorted desserts, sandwiches, teacups, a teapot, red napkins, and holiday decorations on a plaid tablecloth.
Holiday Tea Service Ideas for a Christmas Tea
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Elizabeth (Gold Trim) Footed Cup & Saucer Set by Royal Crown Derby
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Holly Ribbons 2 Tiered Serving Tray (Dinner & Salad Plate) by Royal Worcester
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Holiday Afternoon Tea FAQs
How early should I prepare items for a Christmas afternoon tea?
Many items can be made ahead: cookies freeze beautifully, scone dough chills well overnight, and sandwich fillings hold for 1-2 days. Brew tea fresh for the best flavor.
How many tea sandwiches per person should I plan for?
Depending on the menu and how many savories you are serving, plan 3-4 tea sandwiches per person. If finger sandwiches are the main offering, plan on a bit more.
What teas pair best with a Christmas menu?
Christmas black tea blends, Earl Grey with citrus, peppermint herbal tea, and vanilla-spiced black tea all work well for the season.
What's the easiest tea menu for beginners?
Plan on serving one type of scones, two types of sandwiches, and a simple holiday cookie or cake-paired with a festive black tea.
Can I host a Christmas tea in the evening?
Absolutely. An evening tea makes a lovely setting for high tea, which is a heartier evening meal typically served between 7 to 7 p.m. Light candles, serve at a dining table with warm drinks, and a simple menu.
Afternoon Tea Resources
Afternoon Tea at 31Daily
- Make Ahead Afternoon Tea Sandwiches
- Afternoon Tea Scones
- Afternoon Tea Savory Ideas
- Afternoon Tea Sweets
- How to Serve an Easy Afternoon Tea
- An Autumn Afternoon Tea
- A Summer Afternoon Tea
This is so very well done and inspiring!
Thank you so very much!
I’m planning a Women’s Christmas Tea
for the Church, and this was helpful.
Barbara B
Thank you, Barbara. I’m thrilled you enjoy it and hope it gives you lots of ideas and inspiration for your upcoming Women’s Christmas Tea!!