A New Tradition Christmas Afternoon Tea Ideas at Home

For Christmas Day 2019, why not surprise guests with a Christmas high tea! A Christmas high tea has many positives, not only can it be prepared in advance so that you can join in all the festive fun, it can be tailored to please even the fussiest of eaters, and it also saves on washing-up too. To give you some food for thought, here are some of our favourite Christmas afternoon tea ideas at home for the festive day.

Christmas afternoon tea at the most prestigious hotels, think The Ritz, The Savoy and Claridge’s to name a few, feature delicate finger sandwiches with fillings including smoked salmon and cream cheese, ham and mustard mayonnaise and turkey and cranberry sauce. For your Christmas day high tea, simply recreate these fillings at home for a fraction of the price, or choose your guest’s favourite sandwich fillings, perhaps; chicken and avocado, tuna mayonnaise, bacon, lettuce and tomato or cheese and pickle served on bagels, rolls or in wraps. Delicate pastries and sumptuous cakes are a staple part of the Christmas high tea. Who can resist a macaron, chocolate éclair or a large slice of lemon drizzle cake? If you fancy something a little more festive, mix and match with popular favourites such as Christmas cake, mince pies, panettone and a gingerbread house!

Finally, Christmas high tea wouldn’t be a celebration without a selection of drinks. There’s your classic English breakfast tea, fruit teas and coffee. But since it’s a celebration, champagne, prosecco and sherry can work just as well too. And for the under 18s, designated drivers and those who are alcohol free, be sure to offer mocktails, fruit juice and water. However you celebrate Christmas Day 2019, whether it’s a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings or a Christmas high tea, we hope that you can spend it with your nearest and dearest and that it’s full of festive cheer.