Happy guests are what make a merry Christmas. Give the Mad Hatter a run for his money by pulling off the best Christmas tea party with these tips.
Table decor
Decorate your tables the same way you would your stockings – filled to the brim with special surprises. Ice cookies with guests’ names, or fold napkins into Christmas roses.
Ambiance
Why stop at satisfying your guests’ sights when you can satisfy their sounds and smells too? Put on a jazzy Christmas record, and envelope rooms in cinnamon-scented pinecones, rosemary candles and essential oils.
Festive food and beverages
Spice up staple high-tea offerings with a Christmas-themed spin. Trade scones and pastries for snowflake biscuits, snowman cheese-balls and fresh cherries dipped in white chocolate. Set up a special station for customising your mug of hot chocolate, or gingerman-cookie decorating booths. It’ll put you on the “nice list” of kids and parents alike.
- Put a festive twist on the classic afternoon tea menu by featuring mini panettone, an exotic yule log, and an orange and winter spice cake alongside some of the world’s finest teas.
- Create a decadent afternoon tea featuring smoked salmon sandwiches, king crab quiche, buttermilk scones, choux swan pastries and a chestnut and praline chocolate log.
- Make an impression with a fizzy afternoon tea that includes a glass of fizz (non-alcoholic beverage for the kids and option of Champagne for the adults), finger sandwiches, scones and an assortment of Christmas-inspired cakes and pastries.
F&B themes
If you’d prefer honouring a classic food and beverage theme instead, here are some cherished themes presented by hotels worldwide.
- Festive feast with a French twist where guests can enjoy buchettes, briochettes, mini sandwiches with bespoke fillings and limited edition ‘Dinde de Noël’ – sliced turkey and cranberry sauce topped with a thin layer of horseradish and cream cheese.
- Winter Wonderland where Santa Claus visits with presents for the children on Christmas Day. You can also include delightful Christmas favourites such as Frosty the Snowman and some jolly Christmas elves! Plus, teatime could be accompanied by a resident pianist and children’s school choir.
- Be inspired by fairytales where coconut cream, mint macaroons and candy floss are presented alongside salted butter shortbread, frosted blueberries and sugar shards.
- Art Deco theme for a whimsical afternoon where guests can decorate biscuits, and learn simple Christmas-themed arts and crafts.
Let the best Christmas afternoon tea experience commence!
