Make forever memories by hosting an Afternoon Christmas Tea this holiday season.

It’s easier than you might think, with a bit of planning and some inspiration.

So get inspired by the following images, recipes and ideas to deck your halls, light some candles, and create easy but memorable treats.

And we’ve gathered some of the best ideas we could find.

Christmas Tea Decor Ideas

Christmas Tea Tablesettings
Christmas Tea China
Afternoon Tea Resources

Christmas Tea Menu Recipes and Ideas

Christmas Tea Scones
Christmas Tea Sandwiches
Christmas Tea Savory Recipes
Christmas Tea Sweets

Christmas Tea Tablesettings and Inspirations

Christmas Afternoon Tea at London’s Ritz Carlton

“During the Christmas season, traditional Afternoon Tea in The Palm Court at The Ritz will be given a festive twist. You can enjoy with your family and friends, servings of delicate finger sandwiches, delicious pastries, mouth-watering cakes and freshly made scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve whilst listening to the glorious sounds of The Ritz choir singing well-known carols.”

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Placecards

Christmas Tea China

Royal Crown Derby “Elizabeth”

“The alluring and versatile gold-trimmed Elizabeth from Royal Crown is festive three ways. Learn how to incorporate this beautiful pattern into your holiday table settings.”
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Porlien 17-Piece Gold Tea Set

“Sparkling gold details fringed with romantic rose red accents on this 17-piece tea set, perfect for the holidays and entertaining.
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Christmas Tea Scones

Ginger Pecan Cranberry Scones

“A cozy treat throughout the holidays, made perfect with a cup of tea.”
Get the Ginger Pecan Cranberry Scones recipe >

Cinnamon Date Scones

Serve at a Christmas tea — or simply curl up before a fire with Cinnamon-Date Scones and a freshly brewed cup of tea.
Get the Cinnamon Date Scones recipe >

Holiday White Chocolate Cranberry Scones

Buttery, mildly sweet, infused with fresh cranberries and rich, velvety white chocolate. It’s the perfect Christmas Tea scone!
Get the Holiday White Chocolate Cranberry scone recipe >

Cranberry Pecan Scones

“Cranberries, toasted pecans, and chopped rosemary make flavorful Cranberry-Pecan Scones.”
Get the Cranberry Pecan Scones recipe >

Cranberry Orange Scones

A beautiful and seasonal scone for Christmas.
Get the Cranberry Orange Scone recipe >

Butter Pecan Scones

“These Butter-Pecan Scones are delicious with clotted cream.”
Get the Butter Pecan Scones recipe >

Gluten-Free Banana Nut Scones

“These delicious Gluten-Free Banana-Nut Scones feature pecans, banana chips, and cinnamon.”
Get the Gluten-Free Banana Nut Scones recipe >

Tarragon Scones Eggs Benedict

“Eggs poached in a mixture of white wine and spiced white tea add a new twist to Eggs Benedict. Serve them over flaky Tarragon Scones with Truffled Hollandaise Sauce.”

Make-Ahead Tip: Tarragon Scones can be mixed, rolled, and cut up to a week ahead of time. Place unbaked scones on a rimmed baking sheet, and freeze. Store in a resealable plastic bag. Bake scones, unthawed.
Get the Tarragon Scones Eggs Benedict recipe >

Christmas Tea Sandwiches

Christmas Tree Tea Sandwiches

“Cucumber tea sandwiches are always welcome at teatime, but this charming version will enchant your guests.”
Get the Christmas Tree Tea Sandwiches recipe >

Smoked Turkey and Cranberry Cream Sandwiches

“These Smoked Turkey and Cranberry Cream Sandwiches are a delightful addition to any holiday tea event.”
Get the Smoked Turkey and Cranberry Cream Sandwiches recipe >

Beef au Poivre and Watercress Tea Sandwiches

“These watercress tea sandwiches are made even better with caramelized shallot butter.”
Get the Beef au Poivre and Watercress Tea Sandwiches recipe >

Ham Salad Tea Sandwiches

“These Ham Salad Tea Sandwich Stackers are a delightful treat.”
Get the Ham Salad Tea Sandwiches recipe >

Egg ‘n’ Cress Tea Sandwiches

“These tea sandwiches look very festive when we cut them out with a holly leaf cookie cutter. We use both white and wheat bread to vary the color and flavor.”
Get the Egg ‘n’ Cress Tea Sandwiches recipe >

Christmas Tea Savory Recipes

Texas Caviar and Goat Cheese Crostini

“Traditional Texas caviar is a mixture of corn kernels, black-eyed peas, and bell pepper tossed in a light vinaigrette. Served with goat cheese on toasted baguettes, this Southern favorite becomes a gourmet treat.”
Get the Texas Caviar and Goat Cheese Crostini recipe >

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.”
Get the Creamy Chestnut Mushroom Soup recipe >

Mini Cheese Ball Bites

Perfect sized cheese ball bites make the perfect savory for a festive afternoon tea.
Get the Mini Cheese Ball Bites recipe >

Pepper Jelly Brie Bites

“Pepper jelly brie bites are the perfect appetizer for any party or gathering. Crispy phyllo shells filled with slightly spicy pepper jelly topped with creamy brie cheese. Sweet and spicy bites of flaky deliciousness!”
Get the Pepper Jelly Brie Bites recipe >

Mini Yorkshire Pudding Canapés

Mini Yorkshire Pudding Canapés with roast beef and horseradish sauce, perfect for Christmas Tea.
Get the Mini Yorkshire Pudding Canapés recipe >

Chocolate Waffles with Earl Grey Syrup

Chocolate Waffles, flavored with cocoa powder and chocolate tea, make a delightful breakfast treat on Christmas morning. The added surprise: The syrup is infused with Earl Grey tea.

Make-Ahead Tip: Earl Grey Syrup can be made up to a week in advance and refrigerated until needed. Get a head start on Christmas morning breakfast by mixing dry ingredients for waffles (baking mix, sugar, and cocoa powder) the night before. Then add wet ingredients in the morning.
Get the Chocolate Waffles with Earl Grey Syrup recipe >

Spicy Curry Walnuts

“These Spicy Curried Walnuts are simple to make and are a lovely Christmas gift for family and friends to enjoy during afternoon tea.”
Get the Spicy Curry Walnuts recipe >

Christmas Tea Sweets

Mincemeat Braid

“A medley of dried fruits, distilled spirits, and spices, mincemeat reflects Canada’s—particularly British Columbia’s—English roots, where this fruity mix originated.”
Get the Mincemeat Braid recipe >

Chocolate Espresso “Tea” Coffee Cake

“A timeless classic coffee cake filled with a moist and rich dark chocolate flavored with a touch of espresso. A cake you’ll come back to time and again.”
Get the Chocolate Espresso Coffee Cake recipe >

Red Velvet Cupcakes

“Topped with a generous swirl of Coconut Buttercream Frosting, Red Velvet Cupcakes are a tempting treat.”
Get the Red Velvet Cupcakes recipe >

Mini Snowflake Cupcakes

“Mini Snowflake Cupcakes pictured Gingerbread Candy Bark and Chocolate-Filled Christmas Tree Cookies.”
Get the Mini Snowflake Cupcakes recipe >

Spicy Gingerbread Bundt Cake

Perfect for a holiday tea… or an evening curled up in front of the fire.
Get the Spicy Gingerbread Bundt Cake recipe >

Orange-Glazed Pound Cake

“Garnished with kumquats and fresh rosemary is a fabulous Christmas dessert.”
Get the Orange-Glazed Pound Cake recipe >

Fruitcake Bars with Figs and Plums

“These delicate, fruity and nutty bar cookies deliver the holidays, bite by bite. Filled with the season’s finest sweet-smelling spices, fruits, and toasted nuts.”
Get the Fruitcake Bars with Figs and Plums recipe >

Cranberry Crumb Bars with Cinnamon and Ginger

“The cranberry filling is sweetly spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and the zest of an orange. Every bite, truly, takes like Christmas.”
Get the Cranberry Crumb Bars recipe >

Tea Size Plum Pudding

“This updated interpretation of a traditional English Plum Pudding is made in the microwave oven.”
Get the Plum Pudding recipe >

Mini Victoria Sponge Cakes

“A party fit for a queen… throw the tastiest street celebration in town with these delicious nibbles.”
Get the Mini Victoria Sponge Cakes recipe >

Easy Mini Christmas Tree Cupcakes

“These mini Christmas tree cupcakes were super easy and fun to make. All it takes is some buttercream icing, piping bags, tips, and sprinkles.”
Get the Easy Mini Christmas Tree Cupcakes recipe >

Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Mini Cakes (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free)

“Simple cakes that aren’t complicated to make and look great on a festive table.”
Get the Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Mini Cakes recipe >

Afternoon Tea Resources

Afternoon Tea at 31Daily

Make Ahead Afternoon Tea Sandwichs
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

More Recipes and Ideas for Hosting an Afternoon Tea >

Afternoon Tea Recipes and Ideas at 31Daily

Hosting an Afternoon Tea or gathering of friends doesn't have to be intimidating and it doesn't have to be difficult. We've gathered some easy recipes and ideas for your next tea.