Christmas tea party ideas are easy to find, but this roundup highlights the most festive and inspiring ones to make your celebration unforgettable. A Christmas tea is the perfect way to enjoy the season — elegant yet cozy, refined yet festive. Whether you’re hosting for friends, family, or a holiday club gathering, it’s a wonderful chance to slow down, sip something warm, and soak in all the Christmas cheer. You can even add a fun twist with a Secret Santa Tea Swap, where guests bring different tea blends to exchange.
Here are some beautiful Christmas tea party ideas to help you plan a merry and memorable afternoon filled with charm, treats, and twinkling lights.
1. Classic Christmas Tea Table
Start by transforming your tea table into a winter wonderland. Choose a color scheme that feels magical — think classic red and gold, frosty silver and white, or soft pastels with shimmering metallic accents for a whimsical twist.
2. Christmas Tea Party Photo Backdrop
MAke sure there is an interesting area for gusts to be able to take photos to remember the event. Use draped velvet, a greenery garland, fairy lights, and a “Merry & Bright Tea” sign. Add props like vintage teacups, Santa hats, holly crowns, or pearl necklaces for charming photo moments.
3. Festive Tea Favors Table
Remember to thank guetst for joining you. Set out mini jars of loose-leaf holiday tea blends, personalized tags, festively wrapped sugar cubes, or tiny shortbread packages guests can take home.
4. Christmas Scone & Sandwich Bar
A Christmas Scone & Sandwich Bar is an easy way to offer guests something cozy, filling, and festive without a lot of fuss. Set out a tiered stand of holiday-decorated scones, plain scones with clotted cream or jam, and a selection of simple tea sandwiches. Add a chalkboard sign to tie the display together and make it feel like a charming café-style station. It’s perfect for Christmas tea parties, kids’ gatherings, or any cozy winter celebration.
5. Holiday Tea Tasting Flight
Give everyone the chance to sample different flavors of tea with this idea. Offer guests a tasting of three to five seasonal teas:
- Peppermint white tea
- Spiced apple black tea
- Holiday chai
- Candy-cane rooibos
- Christmas almond green tea
Serve in small tasting cups so everyone can try them all.
6. Gingerbread Tea Station
Create a mini gingerbread-themed setup with gingerbread houses, gingerbread cookies, and jars of cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg. Offer a “gingerbread latte tea” blend or chai with whipped cream. You could also have plain gingerbread cookies and have guests get creative with the addition of a decoration station.
7. Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board
Create a stunning Christmas dessert board filled with colorful sweets and holiday treats. Use a wooden board or tree-shaped stand as the centerpiece and surround it with an assortment of cookies, truffles, peppermint candies, chocolates, gingerbread pieces, and festive bites. This makes a show-stopping focal point and gives guests a fun way to nibble throughout the tea party.
8. Secret Santa Tea Swap
A Secret Santa Tea Swap is the perfect addition to any Christmas tea party, blending the joy of gift-giving with the comfort of cozy winter brews. In the scene above, guests gather around a festive table, each holding beautifully wrapped tea tins and steaming cups. The warm glow of Christmas lights in the background sets a cheerful atmosphere, while laughter and conversation flow as everyone exchanges their surprise teas.
This activity is simple to set up: each guest brings a tin or sachet of tea to exchange anonymously. From herbal blends to festive spiced teas, the variety sparks curiosity and conversation—plus everyone leaves with a new flavour to try at home. It’s a charming, budget-friendly way to bring people together, encourage discovery, and make your holiday gathering feel extra special.
