What to Serve Your Guests at a Christmas Afternoon Tea in London
Can you believe it’s that time of the year again? The holiday season is quickly approaching, and I, for one, am excited for Christmas carols, the smell of cinnamon, and the crisp winter air, but what I look forward to each year is enjoying afternoon tea with my nearest and dearest and I’m sure you do too!
Let me set the scene for you; imagine a chilly winter afternoon where you want to curl up on the sofa with a hot drink. You walk into a warm and cosy room and the aroma of freshly baked scones hits you. Your mum has just finished setting the table with her special china and the teapot she was gifted in the Secret Santa, which she insists is tacky but secretly loves. If you’re anything like me and want to avoid the post-event cleanup or worry about burning yet another batch of scones, it might be time to consider a Christmas afternoon tea venue in London.
Christmas afternoon tea is a great way to slow down during this busy season, share stories, and indulge in sweet treats with your loved ones. In this guide, we’ll be looking at some of the best venues and their festive menus to inspire you, from indulgent pastries and savoury bites to seasonal teas and drinks.
Plus, we’ll share tips on making your tea extra special with delicious recipes and DIY decor ideas. So, stick the kettle on, and let’s dive into the joy of creating a memorable Christmas afternoon tea together!
Affordable Christmas Afternoon Tea Ideas in London
It’s all about catching up with family and friends during the holiday season! If you’re in the mood for something festive but don’t feel like hitting the pub, why not check out some affordable afternoon tea spots in London?
The city is packed with special holiday menus you cannot miss so let’s take a look at some of these spots and take a sneak peek at their menus which you can perhaps replicate for your own Christmas afternoon tea.
- The Mandeville Hotel: Festive comfort awaits you at The Mandeville Hotel, which provides a cosy setting furnished with a comfy red lounge and stylish decor for you and your family to enjoy afternoon tea. Your guests can enjoy the festive menu, including sausage rolls, fish fingers and mushy peas, mince pies, and a turkey dinner on a skewer! If that’s not to your taste, you can also try their vintage festive menu, offering classics like cakes and familiar favourites such as smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels and, of course, scones!
- Sanderson London: Step into Wonderland with a Mad Hatter’s afternoon tea at Sanderson London, which is on London’s residents ‘must-do’ lists. Tumble down the rabbit hole and discover menus hidden inside vintage books, king and queen-themed teapots, and sandwich plates decorated with birdcages, carousels, and ticking clocks. Savour a menu inspired by the characters, such as The Cheshire Cat sandwich or the Tweedle Brothers pastry. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, with a range of afternoon tea packages available!
- The Chesterfield Mayfair: Indulge in Sweet Shop Favourites at The Chesterfield Mayfair’s Afternoon Tea! The menu caters to all dietary needs, such as gluten-free, vegan, and halal options. Enjoy tasty treats like a twist on the classic ham and cheese sandwich with tomato chutney on tomato bread. For those who have a sweet tooth, treats like a Drumstick macaron or Coca-Cola slice might be more to your taste.
Related: Afternoon Tea in London: A Classy Event for Your Guests
Luxury Afternoon Tea Ideas for Christmas
We all love to save our pennies, but Christmas is the time to give and splurge! If you’re looking to add a touch of luxury to your parties or just want to treat your favourite people to a fine party—have a look at some of the most luxurious afternoon tea spots London has to offer!
- L’Escargot: L’Escargot in Soho is the oldest French restaurant in London. It has been serving fantastic food and excellent service for over 90 years. Their afternoon tea menu features a selection of finger sandwiches, including a Burford Brown egg mayonnaise with brioche. Don’t miss out on their fancy cakes, scones, and an interesting snail-shaped meringue—a playful nod to the restaurant’s name, which is French for ‘snail’!
- The May Fair Hotel: Since opening in 1927, The May Fair Hotel has been a luxury icon in London’s most sought-after address. Just down the road from Buckingham Palace, treat your girls to an afternoon tea that will make them feel like royalty! Their menu consists of a selection of homemade finger sandwiches with a Mediterranean touch, like the mortadella with pistachio mascarpone, transporting you straight to the streets of Rome. For a taste of Barcelona, enjoy a blackberry cream with vanilla Catalan creme brulee patisserie. Your guests will surely love this combination of regality and Mediterranean flavours!
Beaufort House: Treat yourself this Christmas at one of London’s most stylish destinations, where you can relish a traditional British afternoon tea at Beaufort House in Chelsea. They serve a classic menu featuring cucumber and watercress sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and a selection of desserts, how can you go wrong? Check out what Andrea has to say about this afternoon tea spot:
‘Venue was beautiful and the room was a great size. The staff were excellent – great attitudes and very accommodating! Food was really good – a great afternoon tea selection.’
Andrea
Festive Food Ideas for a Christmas Afternoon Tea
The most exciting part of afternoon tea isn’t necessarily the tea but the food! This Christmas, treat your guests to a taste of your culinary skills with a beautifully crafted menu that balances sweet and savoury delights. From classic sandwiches with a twist to delicious scones and holiday treats, you can bring a touch of Christmas to your table with these yummy ideas!
Savoury Bites
- Mini Turkey and Cranberry Sandwiches: Mix some mayo and cranberry sauce, spread over the bread, and top with gouda, apple, baby spinach, and turkey. Cut the crusts off and slice each sandwich into quarters, stick a toothpick in, and you’re all set!
- Smoked Salmon and Dill Cream Cheese Sandwiches: Using white or wholemeal bread, mix your smoked salmon, lemon juice, and cream cheese, add the herbs, and spread over your bread. Cut off the crusts, wiping the knife as you cut for clean edges. Add some leftover cream cheese on top and garnish with dill or parsley. Your guests will definitely enjoy this one!
- Brie and Fig Jam Crostini: Toasted baguette slices, topped with brie and a dollop of fig jam, you could even sprinkle some rosemary on the top for a touch of originality!
Classic Scones
Cranberry Orange Scones: Use dried cranberries and orange for a seasonal take on scones. Dust with cinnamon sugar, and use a star cutter for a special touch.
Sweet Treats
- Gingerbread Cookies: Make them with aromatic cloves, black treacle, ginger, and cinnamon. Cut into festive shapes and enjoy the taste and aroma!
- Mini Yule Logs: A classic favourite that always goes down as a treat, mini Swiss rolls filled with chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect, and add a splash of Baileys Irish cream for an extra rich flavour.
- Christmas Rocky Road: Loved by adults and children alike, combine biscuits, nuts, and Christmas sweets like marshmallows or candy canes with dried fruit. Decorate with some festive sprinkles, and you’re good to go!
Seasonal Drink Recipes: Teas and Cocktails for the Holidays
Christmas afternoon tea wouldn’t be complete without delicious drinks to toast together! From rich hot chocolates and Earl Grey teas to celebratory bubbles with a twist or a festive cocktail, alcohol or non-alcoholic, we have recipes for them all. These beverages are sure to get your guests feeling merry!
Christmas Themed Cosy Drinks
- Earl Grey with Orange and Cinnamon: Add a holiday twist to this classic favourite by adding a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick to create the perfect Christmas-style tea!
- Christmas Hot Chocolate: Christmas is known for Hot Chocolate, and like Olaf everyone loves a warm hug. Well, this hot chocolate will give you exactly that! Made with milk, heavy cream, and lots of chocolate, topped with marshmallows, whipped cream, and candy cane for good measure!
- Chocolate Peppermint Tea: For a subtle dessert-like experience that still aids digestion, try this recipe with a peppermint tea bag, chocolate syrup, creamer, and a dash of Splenda! Use crushed ice for a refreshing take.
Holiday Cocktails
- Mulled Wine: You can’t celebrate Christmas without Mulled Wine! Warm your guests at afternoon tea with red wine, cloves, orange slices, cinnamon, and a touch of brandy.
- Cranberry Prosecco Cocktail: For those who love a glass of fizz, make it with a twist this year by adding cranberry juice to your prosecco. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and fresh cranberries-sounds delicious!
- White Christmas Cocktail: This cocktail is like Christmas in a glass. Made with vodka, cream, white creme de cacao, and peppermint schnapps, it’s an ideal drink to pair with your Christmas afternoon tea.
Non-Alcoholic Options (Kids-Friendly)
- Hot Spiced Apple Cider: Looking for a drink that tastes as good as it smells, this hot-spiced apple cider is just the thing! Heat your apple cider in a pot and add cinnamon cloves and orange peel for a warm, spicy flavour. Serve in a glass with a cinnamon stick that will impress your guests!
- Pomegranate Spritzer: This is the perfect Christmassy drink—sweet, refreshing, and the ideal holiday colour! Made with pomegranate, orange, lime juice, plus sparkling water or seltzer. Top it off with pomegranate seeds, orange slices, or mint leaves- this is sure to be a fan favourite!
DIY Christmas Decor to Upgrade your Afternoon Tea Setup
Let’s be honest, the decor is half the fun of hosting a Christmas afternoon tea! A few personal touches can make all the difference, with some pinecones, fairy lights, and maybe some glitter. You can create a space that feels magical for your guests to enjoy their food and drinks! Here are some DIY ideas to bring a bit of sparkle to your table.
Original Table Settings
- Festive Place Cards: Add a personal touch to your table by tying a sprig of rosemary with twine around small cards displaying each guest’s name. This is a simple yet elegant decoration for an afternoon tea.
- Holiday Table Runner: Use fabric in classic Christmas colours—red, green, or gold—to create a festive table runner. Add some small embellishments like holly or ribbons.
Centrepieces
- Seasonal Centrepiece: Create a large centrepiece by placing a large candle in a vase and decorating around it with baubles, holly, and pinecones.
- Holiday-Themed Tea Light Holders: Use small mason jars and fill them with fake snow. Add your tea lights and tie a green or red ribbon around the top of the jars for a seasonal touch!
Tea Stand and Tray Decorations
- Edible Garnish: Decorate your trays with rosemary sprigs, cranberries, cinnamon sticks and small swirls of cream and dust over with icing sugar for a snowy effect!
- Festive Napkin Rings: Use twine or ribbon to tie around your cloth napkins, adding a small bauble or holly sprig for extra decoration!
Create a Magical Atmosphere
- Festive Playlist: Compile a playlist of Christmas songs to play in the background of your afternoon tea. Use the more mellow ones to add to the warm atmosphere!
- Fairy lights and Candles: Create a warm and cosy winter ambience by hanging warm-toned fairy lights around the room and small tea lights for a soft glow!
Have a Tea-rrific Time!
Christmas is a time for family and friends, and there’s nothing quite like slowing down to spend quality time with them—sharing laughs and indulging in delicious holiday treats. Whether you’re planning a Christmas afternoon tea at home or visiting some of London’s festive spots, this guide has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly options, luxurious outings, tasty recipes, and fun DIY decor ideas, you’re all set to celebrate!
Without further ado, grab your favourite mug, throw on the Christmas playlist, brew the tea, and dig into some delicious snacks while enjoying this special time with your favourite people! Let Tagvenue help you find some of London’s hottest spots to spread festive cheer this Christmas.
Have a fabulous holiday party!
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