how about skipping the beach this christmas and celebrating the festive season with a bit of elegance? yes, christmas high tea is a classy alternative! the tea party is a great way to catch up with friends and family while enjoying the festivities and treats.
this tradition has been growing in australia, and with venues across the country offering their best, it’s definitely worth adding to your plans!
what is christmas high tea?
christmas high tea is based on traditional high tea. well… we call it high tea here in australia, but it's the same old british afternoon tea. “high tea” and “afternoon tea” were two different experiences however, we now use both of those terms to refer to a chic tea party.
well, that's just a matter of terminology, but the real question is – how is christmas high tea different from traditional high tea?
traditional high tea is commonly regarded as a graceful way to spend an afternoon with family and friends while enjoying a variety of teas and classy treats.
christmas themed high tea is a more festive version of your traditional high tea. the theme is festive, and that’s reflected in the treats served. here’s a glimpse of what you can expect – scones, seasonal sandwiches and a variety of christmas-themed pastries and cakes.
but that’s just a glimpse – christmas themed high tea has many more holiday flavours. each venue adds its unique specialties to the menu, making it hard to choose a venue. well…it’s a good problem to have!
whether you’re in sydney, melbourne or canberra (or any other city, for that matter), if you want to enjoy xmas high tea, aussie venues have you covered! from hotels like shangri-la and the fullerton to restaurants like strangers’ at the parliament, there are plenty of places where you can enjoy a variety of xmas high tea experiences.
the tradition of christmas high tea in australia
the tradition of christmas high tea is rooted in british culture. high tea has been a part of social life there for centuries. when december rolls in, there’s a special extension of this tradition, where hotels and tea rooms across britain add seasonal festivities to their offerings.
treats during xmas high tea in britain often include festive finger sandwiches with fillings like norfolk bronze turkey and sage stuffing or whipped english brie with cranberry jam.
clotted cream and seasonal preserves complement scones, both plain and cranberry. the showstoppers, however, are the edible artworks like gingerbread stars stacked as miniature christmas trees and glossy white chocolate baubles.
australian adaptation of christmas high tea
aussie xmas high teas bring a local twist to festive traditions, featuring unique treats like queensland tiger prawns, k'gari spanner crab, mini chicken and leek pies. creative desserts add a festive flair with a line-up that includes chocolate rum balls, christmas tree cupcakes, cherry ripe cheesecake tartlet, tim tam cheesecake and decorated biscuit ornaments.
no, we haven’t forgotten the drinks! a variety of tea, cocktails, mocktails and sparkling wine complements the summer vibe.
essential elements of a perfect christmas high tea
christmas-themed decorations
to decorate your high tea setting with a christmas theme, keep it classy and festive. that means a random colour combination is a no-go! you must start with a colour palette – we recommend one that includes white, pink, gold and floral accents.
let’s start with the table. use long trestle tables and cover them with a white tablecloth with gold or pink accents. complete the look with a lace runner and teapots, platters and gold-trimmed plates.
planning on hosting it indoors or outdoors? an outdoor high tea can be great, so if that’s your plan, get your outdoor furniture in order. use cushions in festive colours (use your colour palette for this!!) to create a lovely garden atmosphere.
if you’re keeping it indoors, you need flowing white drapes for a sophisticated look. add some festive elements like delicate floral arrangements, a miniature christmas tree, reindeer figurines and a charming gingerbread house and see how it begins to look all festive.
festive food ideas for christmas high tea
the perfect christmas themed high tea menu calls for a skilful balance of savoury and sweet treats. you might think you need a comprehensive guide like “michelin on high tea – the complete reference” (which, by the way, doesn’t exist) to create one. in reality, it’s very simple!
when there’s so much on your plate, include some tried and tested food items in your menu. that refers to items like finger sandwiches (with varieties like turkey with cranberry, smoked salmon and brie), scones (serve them warm with clotted cream and jam) and mini quiches for that classic christmassy feel. you can even include pigs in a blanket, that’s an interesting name for a sausage wrapped in puff pastry.
continuing with the tried and tested – the sweet options on the menu can be mini cakes, gingerbread cookies, chocolate truffles and yule logs. apart from that, you can even try your skills at mince pies.
drinks to elevate your christmas high tea
to enhance the overall experience of your xmas high tea, serve a well-curated selection of drinks. popular choices include iced black teas, like earl grey or english breakfast tea. to add flavours that are so meant to be enjoyed on christmas, serve chai tea (spiced tea) or mulled wine.
you can also include a spiced holiday highball cocktail, a glass of moet & chandon or veuve clicquot champagne – all very popular throughout the celebrations. need mocktail options also? some options to go with your christmas high tea ideas – watermelon mint refresher, cucumber lime refresher or a punch made with ginger ale, orange juice and cranberry juice – topped with mint.
top 5 christmas high tea ideas for your celebration
1. scones with raspberry jam and cream
these scones are perfect for your list of christmas high tea ideas. their light and fluffy texture, raspberry jam and thick clotted cream complement each other to create a festive treat.
we have two reasons for placing them in the top five christmas high tea ideas – firstly, these scones are very delicious, and secondly, they are easy to make. that means you won’t have to sweat it out in the kitchen, yet your guests still get an enjoyable treat.
2. ginger fluff sponge cake
we'll need plenty of adjectives to describe how tasty this sponge cake is, but for now, let's just say it’s mouth-wateringly delicious! this cake is a light dessert that your guests will enjoy!
we included this in the top five christmas tea ideas as it raises the celebration quotient and brings smiles to everyone’s faces.
3. variety of sandwiches
• turkey and cranberry: turkey topped with cranberry relish and crisp lettuce on rye bread.
• christmas ham and tomato on sourdough: smoky ham paired with roasted balsamic tomatoes and fresh greens.
• salmon and avocado on rye bread: smoked salmon, avocado and lemon-pepper cheese on rye bread.
• melted camembert with cranberry relish: toasted camembert complemented by a sweet-tart cranberry relish – a lovely contrast of flavours.
4. tiger prawns
you’ll never go wrong with prawns for xmas high tea. so, buy loads of freshly cooked tiger prawns and serve them with dips like marie rose, tartare sauce or others you like, for an outstanding experience for your guests.
you can see why we added them to the list of christmas high tea ideas – they are hassle-free yet lip-smackingly good!
5. diy tea blending station
a tea blending station is always an engaging and interactive experience. since it’s diy, you won’t have to do much – just set up a variety of tea bags, spices and dried fruits like cinnamon, ginger and cranberry. guests will enjoy being master blenders without any fear of being judged. how’s that for an xmas high tea experience.
faqs on christmas high tea
q. what food is typically served at a christmas high tea?
a. festive foods like gingerbread cookies, fruitcake, mince pies, scones with jam and cream and savoury morsels like smoked salmon quiches or turkey sandwiches are typically served at a christmas high tea. some venues also add lamingtons or pavlova bites for an aussie touch. the treats are served with a variety of teas with a christmas theme, such as peppermint blends or chai tea.
q. can i host a christmas high tea outdoors in australia?
a. with the warm december weather here in australia, you can absolutely host an outdoor high tea! put up some festive décor on the garden or patio, preferably in a shaded spot. use festive table settings with seasonal flowers and decorations to enhance the holiday spirit. get some chilled drinks like iced tea and make sure to cover food to keep it safe from the heat and bugs.
q. what are some budget-friendly ideas for a christmas high tea?
a. when the challenge is to host an outstanding christmas themed high tea within your budget, you’ll do just fine by serving homemade treats. you can easily make scones, sandwiches and simple desserts like brownies. select mismatched tea sets for a chic and charming look. and make sure to drop by discount stores for affordable festive décor like fairy lights and party bunting.
q. what should i wear to a christmas high tea?
a. although christmas high tea is a sophisticated event, there isn't a strict dress code for it. just follow some general guidelines, and you’ll be fine. first and foremost, steer clear of workwear and clubbing wear. it’s best to avoid items like black pencil skirts and bodycon mini dresses. your best bet is to pick a smart casual attire that goes with the holiday season.
