How To Host The Most Magical Christmas Tea Party

By Erika Robertson

Winter is coming! Do you know what that means? Parties, presents, and tea!

Planning can be the hardest part of hosting a Christmas tea party. There’s so much involved with brainstorming and sorting out the logistics of it all. 

Let us help you take some of that planning off your shoulders. 

As a present to you, we are dishing out our perfect recipe for a holiday tea party — decoration ideas and all! The only thing you have to do is gather the items and throw them all together. 

The theme? Winter Wonderland Tea! 

Transform your space into a magical land that feels like you stepped right out of Santa’s front door at the North Pole. The ambiance sets the mood, so having the right decor is key to making this transformation happen. 

Let’s dive into some decor possibilities to create a Christmas tea party that will warm their hearts and make them jolly.

Creating a Winter Wonderland 

You don’t have to go all the way to the North Pole or live within snowy planes to make this holiday tea party come to life. All you need are a handful of elements to create a frosty snow-dusted atmosphere. 

Choosing the Perfect Venue 

Your venue and how you present your food and treats will all depend on how many guests you can accommodate in your chosen space. If you’re hosting an afternoon tea for your Christmas tea party, we recommend keeping the gathering at about six to eight people at the most — any more than that and it gets a little tricky with the serving and plating everyone individually. 

If you are hosting more people, consider setting up the venue so guests are encouraged to stand and mingle. Display food and treats buffet-style, and set up a few small tables and chairs so your guests can sit and enjoy their treats at their leisure. 

How to Create that Winter Wonderland Ambiance

To transform your space into a Winter Wonderland for your Holiday Tea Party start with a base of white and ice-clear decorations. Mix in accents of silver and even hints of muted frosty colors like ice green or red, and ice blue. If you prefer bold colors like bright green and red, that’s great too! The general rule is that everything that sparkles and glitters like frosted diamonds is welcome here. 

Twinkling Lights, White Candles, and Naturals

One of the easiest ways to accomplish the look of a fun and classic Winter Wonderland is with snowflake decorations. Hang snowflakes of various sizes from the ceiling, on the walls, on the windows, and all around the entryway. You can even throw in some icicles for variety. 

Don’t underestimate the magic of faux snow. These cottonball bunches can completely transform your space and give the illusion of a fresh soft snowfall. Add a touch of magic and secure your snowy cotton ball mounds with electric flickering pillar candles or tea lights that cast a golden glow around the room. 

Use naturals like silver painted or frosted branches, sparkling pinecones, and icy holly berry garlands to add to your Winter Wonderland holiday tea party atmosphere. A scattering of baubles in silver or muted colors can add character and round out the entire look of your Christmas tea party. 

Table Centerpieces and Table Settings

The decor around the venue should make your guests feel like they are walking into another world. Let the main tablescape act as your focal point for your most prominent decor. 

The Perfect Teaware for Your Holiday Tea Party

We suggest using beautiful glass teaware to make the whole Christmas tea party theme come to life. The ice-like glasses and teapots are a perfect foundation for an icy wonderland theme. 

These perfectly neutral glasses have that nice ice look for the theme! Many of the glasses are also double-walled. That means your guests’ drinks will stay at their proper temperature — hot or cold — for much longer than normal. And you don’t have to worry about coasters because they are condensation-free!

Arranging Your Tablescape

Arrange the center tablescape with glass jars filled with baubles in silver and white and surround the jars with pillows of fluffy faux snow. Arrange string fairy lights so they sit beneath the snow and around the decor — they give even more character to the twinkling and magical tablescape. 

Flickering electronic candles are also a nice fairytale-like touch. Sprinkle some small branches, pinecones, and holly in between for bursts of color and a touch of nature. 

If you are hosting an authentic sit-down afternoon tea, be sure to set out name cards so that seating is comfortable and convenient for everyone. 

Ideas for Holiday Teas, Tea Cocktails, and Cocoa Bars

If you’re hosting a holiday tea party you of course want to serve tea! But you might want to also accommodate your guests who appreciate an alcoholic drink or two. You’ll also want to serve up some kid-friendly drinks that will make the little ones smile. 

Hot and Cold Holiday Teas

Choosing a variety of winter-inspired teas is easy. Pick two to three hot — or cold — teas so there’s variety for your guests to choose from. We love hot tea for winter, but we also believe there’s plenty of room for winter iced teas — especially if a roaring fireplace is anywhere in the venue. 

Check out this ice tea recipe blog for ideas that suit every season. If you want some hot teas for your Christmas tea party, we recommend a few of the following: 

• English Breakfast or Darjeeling are classics that you can’t go wrong with. Their neutral flavors are wonderful to pair with a variety of foods and flavors. 
• Masala Chai is sensational for its winter-like seasonality. Heavy and potent spices like clove, cardamom, and cinnamon are all too prominent during the holidays and chai is like a holiday tea party right in your cup. There are also herbal chai versions available that are completely caffeine-free. 
• Earl Grey is a black tea base with notes of citrus from its signature bergamot flavor. 
• Caramel Apple Blossom is a medley of rich flavors. Caramel, almond, hazelnut, and a hint of orange peel are delicately balanced with a first-flush Assam black tea. 
• White Vanilla Apple is a delicious mix of apples and pears with ginger and vanilla. This white tea blend is low in caffeine and slightly sweet.

Tea Cocktails for an Exciting Spin on the Holiday Tea Party

Who knew you could spike the tea? These holiday tea party cocktails are fun to make and even more fun to drink. And the best part? You can make most of these ahead of time so you can spend your time mingling at the party instead of mixing drinks. 

Looking for alcohol-free tea mocktails? You can also leave out the spirits for a completely alcohol-free tea cocktail that’s equally good. 

Some of our favorite Christmas tea party cocktail recipes are Santa’s Cranberry Apple Bourbon Bash and Rudolph’s Secret Reindeer Rum Chai. The most appropriate for this Winter Wonderland holiday tea party might be the classic Snowfall Earl Grey Martini. 

Hot Cider and Cocoa for Kids and Non-Tea Drinkers

If you have children or non-tea drinkers coming to the party, set out some friendly options for them to enjoy. Consider heating up some homemade spiced cider. You can also set up a cocoa bar for the kids — the adults will love the nostalgia, too! Decorate the hot chocolate bar space with yummy cocoa additions like marshmallows and peppermint sticks. You can also decorate the space with fun characters like polar bears, penguins, and snowmen.

Winter Wonderland Menu Ideas

It’s not a Christmas tea party without the thematic food to define your event. Here are some Winter Wonderland holiday tea party food ideas that are as fun to make as they are enjoyable to eat.

Like we said before, if you’re hosting a sit-down afternoon tea, keep the party to about six to eight guests. Anything more than that and you’ll want to prepare your food display buffet-style so your guests can help themselves and you have time to mingle and frolock with everyone. 

Seasonal Tea Sandwiches

• Cranberry, chicken, pecan salad
• Cucumber with herbed cream cheese
• Egg salad with fresh chives
• Curried chicken salad
• Basil, tomato, and pesto with pinenuts
• Smoked salmon and dill cream cheese
• Ham, brie, and apple with Dijon mustard

Savory Bites and Trays

• Mini quiches - Lorraine, florentine, or mushroom
• Savory puff pastry bites with brie, roasted nuts, and a touch of honey or jam
• Crispy garlic and parmesan breadsticks
• Charcuterie plate with cured meats, roasted nuts, dried fruit, honey, and jam
• Cheese plate with three to five different cheeses, crackers, and fresh fruit

Sweet Winter Wonderland Treats

• Snowflake sugar cookies with white icing and glittering sprinkles
• Gingerbread cookies with chunks of candied ginger
• Chocolate cupcakes topped with swirls of red and white peppermint frosting
• Earl Grey lemon bars
• Masala Chai poached pears with creme anglaise

Wintery Scones

• Cranberry orange
• White chocolate with peppermint
• Candied ginger and lemon
• Cinnamon chip
• Traditional golden raisin or currant

Warm Winter Soup

• Butternut squash with fresh nutmeg
• Potato leek
• Cream of asparagus
• Winter vegetables and lentils

Finishing Touches with Activities and Entertainment

If you want to create the full Winter Wonderland experience, you’ll also want your space to sound like the holiday season and resonate with joy and laughter. Here are some fun music suggestions and entertainment tips — especially for the young ones!

Spirited Music or Lively Holiday Soundscapes

Seasonal music is a must-have and at the very least a backtrack of holiday sound effects brings the Christmas tea party together. If you are so inclined, create a playlist of your favorite tunes and play them lightly in the background so guests can talk with a leisurely and relaxed air.

Kids’ Decoration and Craft Corner

Games and activities are also a welcome sight at a holiday tea party — especially if little ones are involved. Set up a table for your tiny guests that includes crafty decorating. 

You can make a paper craft station where they create chain garlands or make snowflakes. If you want to make it edible, bake sugar cookies cut out into fun shapes or a batch of cupcakes, set out the frosting, sprinkles, and candies, and watch them go to Santa Town. 

Letters to Santa Station

Encourage the kids and the rest of your guests to write letters to Santa — or letters to their loved ones! Set up envelopes, colored pencils or washable markers, glue, safety scissors, stickers, and construction paper in a multitude of colors. You can even create a “magical mailbox” covered in wrapping paper so you — as the host — can send the letters off to Santa right after the holiday tea party is over. 

Christmas Tea Party Favors They’ll Love

No Winter Wonderland holiday tea party would be complete without a party favor to send home with your guests. Here are some of our favorite ideas they will love to use and eat!

Holiday Peppermint Bark

Peppermint bark is a holiday tea party hit and is so easy to make. Simply wrap small bunches up in a small bag or package tied with a holiday bow. Set out a basket by the entrance so they can grab them as they head out the door when the party is over.

Irresistible Chai Cookies 

Have you seen the recipe for our chai cookies? They are commonly known as Taylor Swift Chai Cookies, but we put our own — and much better — spin on these scrumptious sweets. Your guests are definitely going to beg for this recipe. 

The Best Tea Kit

If you want to gift them something they’ll use all of the time, we recommend a tea kit! Include a mug with an infuser and a canister of loose-leaf tea. Pack these in a bag tied with a bow for a gift that keeps on giving all year round. 

Homemade Tea Bath Bombs or Salts

This time of year can leave people feeling overwhelmed with the abundance of sweets and treats. If you want to gift them something unique at your holiday tea party, go ahead and make a teacup candle or some bath salts that are infused with tea. We are all about using teas in unconventional ways and a handful of these ideas make excellent Christmas tea party favors for your guests. 

The First Step to Your Winter Wonderland Holiday Party

Wondering where to begin with your planning? If you’re having a Winter Wonderland holiday tea party, you must have a tea set that checks all the boxes. Anything from Teabloom will do!

Teabloom has the most exquisite and largest selection of borosilicate glass teaware. These collections are designed with a range of classic to modern silhouettes. They are the perfect base for any and all tea party themes that you can host any time of year. 

Stock up on delicious USDA Certified Organic teas, and find wonderful treasures for you and all your loved ones. Explore all the magical possibilities for your Winter Wonderland tea party at Teabloom, today.

www.Teabloom.com