During the holidays, when time seems to slow down a tad and we actually have the opportunity to take a break from the grind, it’s important to make time for friends and family. That’s why this time of the year is the perfect excuse to host the types of get-togethers we love the most. And for tea lovers, what better way to ring in and enjoy the time of year than to host a holiday-inspired tea party? 

For some, the thought of hosting anything this time of year can be a stressful exercise, but it certainly doesn’t have to be! Read on to learn about three simple steps to inspire the perfect tea-filled holiday afternoon.

1. Set The Mood

It’s often assumed that tea parties have to be set up like a classic, elegant British tea party. But as long as you set the mood properly and effectively, your tea party can be whatever you want it to be. The first holiday-inspired item to focus on is the table cloth. When walking into a party, specifically a tea party, the table is the core focus and usually the first thing your guests will notice. Use either a green, red or white table cloth to bring in some of the colours of the season. We recommend using a white tablecloth with red and green accents, but the choice is yours! And just because it’s a holiday-inspired tea party, doesn’t mean the decor has to lose its elegant touch. After all, that’s part of the fun. When setting the table, bring out your best linens, china (if you have it) and cutlery to create the proper look and feel. And whatever you do, don’t forget the tiered stands for the food. 

To get further invested into the holiday spirit, consider the following extra tips: 

• Purchase, or put together, a holiday-themed table centrepiece or table runner
• Purchase, or knit, some holiday-coloured tea cozies for pots and cups
• Decorate the tiered stand with some simple ornaments
• Set each seat with a small gift, ornament or something that each of your guests can take away
• Add some holiday boughs to the table (as long as it doesn’t look too cluttered)  

2. Select the Right Sweet and Savoury Foods

No matter the time of year, no tea party would be complete without a serving of sweet and savoury foods. That said, because afternoon tea traditionally sits right between lunch and dinner, you don’t have to go crazy in preparing a meal for every person. The food is certainly of secondary importance when hosting a tea party, but it’s still a necessity. Instead of a big, heavy meal, prepare small to medium servings of sweet and/or savoury foods. When preparing the table settings, laying out candy canes, chocolates and other holiday-themed confectionaries is an ideal way to stay on theme. From there, you can consider some of the following options: 

• Gingerbread, Christmas tree and/or snowman-shaped cookies
• Sweet or savoury scones
• Red, white and green macarons
• Red, white and/or green cupcakes
• A crumble with berries or a fruitcake
• Cucumber tea sandwiches, smoked salmon tea sandwiches, egg salad tea sandwiches
• Fruit and veggie platters

Remember, you don’t have to include every item we put on this list. You can always mix and match, or bring in some of your own menu ideas. As long as you keep the servings relatively small, you can get creative and diverse as you’d like. 

3. Pair it all With the Perfect Tea

When it comes to more traditional tea parties and get-togethers, the standard fallback flavours include Earl Grey, English Breakfast and other traditional Black Teas. And while these are all excellent options, why not serve several teapots with a variety of different flavours that more align with the time of year? 

For a truly warm, delectable treat, our Chocolate Mint Flavoured Tea is as smooth and delicious as a chocolate mint truffle without the sugar. This black tea blend is cool and creamy that can be paired with or without milk. This drink tastes so good it can be considered a treat on its own.

We also carry Naughty & Spice — a limited edition holiday tea. This holiday special is a mix of Ceylon Black Tea, cinnamon bark, ginger root, black pepper, coriander seed, star anise, cardamom, clove buds, vanilla, orange peel and pink pepper. It’s an explosion of sweet, spicy and savoury flavours that pairs perfectly with the holiday season. Some other excellent options include: 

Cinnamon Spice

This popular blend is also known as “Market Spice”. If you enjoy cinnamon hearts you will surely enjoy this blend. This black tea makes for a sweet, spicy cup that is delightfully smooth and aromatic.

Masala Chai 

Masala Chai is one of our most flavourful chai blends. Made with traditional Indian ingredients we were able to recreate this original chai. If you enjoy the full flavour of cardamom and black tea, you should give this one a try.

Canadian Cranberry 

Cranberries, like blueberries, are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants. This fruit tisane produces a warm, flavourful cup with just the right amount of tang and tartness to inspire one’s senses. This flavour is also available caffeine-free. 

Creme Caramel

This smooth and savoury-sweet tisane is perfect at any time of day and for any holiday-themed tea party. Velvety, rich, and sweet, with notes of caramelized sugar and toffee. Almost like your favourite creme brulee but without the calories!

Let The Tea Haus Help You Prepare Your Holiday Tea Party!

Regardless of the food, decor or holiday-specific extras, you choose to go with, the Tea Haus can help you select the perfect tea for the occasion. Shop online or come visit us in person in the Covent Garden Market in London, Ontario. Not only do we carry over 200 loose leaf teas, but we also have the expertise to help you select the right flavours for any occasion.  

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