Christmas is the perfect time to bring family and friends together, and few celebrations feel as warm and welcoming as a traditional afternoon tea party. Imagine a beautifully arranged table, freshly brewed tea, delicious scones, generous portions of clotted cream, fruity jam and festive mince pies. Add a little Christmas decoration, some gentle music and good company, and you have everything needed for a memorable festive afternoon.
A Christmas afternoon tea is also a lovely alternative to a large formal gathering. It can be arranged at home, enjoyed with close friends or used as a special treat for visiting relatives. Whether you are planning an intimate afternoon for two or inviting a larger group, the combination of traditional Devon flavours and seasonal favourites makes the occasion feel special.
If you want to bring a taste of the Westcountry to your celebration, Devon Heaven offers a range of cream teas by post, afternoon tea hampers and festive food gifts worth exploring.
Here is how to plan a Christmas afternoon tea party, from choosing the food and preparing the table to serving traditional Devon scones and creating a relaxed festive atmosphere.
1. Choose a Christmas Afternoon Tea Theme
Before preparing the food, think about the atmosphere you want to create. A Christmas afternoon tea does not need to be complicated. A simple theme can help bring the table, decorations and food together.
A traditional Devon-inspired afternoon tea is a wonderful starting point. Think classic scones, clotted cream, jam, tea, cakes and biscuits, with a few festive additions.
You could choose from several styles:
Traditional Devon afternoon tea: Focus on plain or fruit scones, clotted cream, jam and freshly brewed tea.
Festive Christmas afternoon tea: Add mince pies, Christmas biscuits, seasonal cakes and other festive treats.
Luxury afternoon tea: Create a more generous spread with a selection of sweet and savoury food, different teas and beautifully presented tableware.
Relaxed family afternoon tea: Keep things simple with a mixture of scones, cakes, biscuits and hot drinks that everyone can enjoy.
If you prefer a ready-made selection, Devon Heaven’s Christmas Afternoon Tea Hamper is one option to consider. The Luxury Christmas Afternoon Tea Hamper is another festive option worth exploring.
2. Serve Traditional Devon Scones
No Devon-inspired afternoon tea would be complete without scones. They are one of the most recognisable parts of a traditional cream tea and make an excellent centrepiece for your Christmas table.
You can serve plain scones, fruit scones or a mixture of both, depending on your guests’ preferences.
For a homemade afternoon tea, freshly baked scones can make the occasion feel particularly special. If you are short on preparation time, ready-made scones or a cream tea hamper can make hosting easier.
Devon Heaven has several products worth exploring:
For more traditional cream tea options, visit the Cream Teas by Post collection.
3. Get the Clotted Cream and Jam Ready
The cream and jam are just as important as the scones themselves.
A traditional Devon cream tea is associated with spreading clotted cream on a scone before adding jam. This is often contrasted with the Cornish tradition of putting jam on first.
Whichever approach your guests prefer, the important thing is to serve good-quality accompaniments and make sure there is enough for everyone.
For a Christmas afternoon tea, you can offer:
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Traditional clotted cream.
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Strawberry jam.
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Raspberry jam.
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Other fruit preserves.
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Butter as an additional option.
Keep clotted cream refrigerated until shortly before serving, and follow the storage instructions on its packaging.
If you are arranging a larger gathering, it is worth preparing individual serving dishes so guests can help themselves without repeatedly passing around the same containers.
4. Add Traditional Christmas Mince Pies
Mince pies are a natural addition to a festive afternoon tea. Their sweet, spiced filling and pastry topping bring familiar Christmas flavours to the table.
They can be served warm or at room temperature, depending on your preference. A light dusting of icing sugar can also make them look particularly festive.
You can make mince pies at home or buy them ready-made to save time.
If you want to create a wider selection of sweet treats, consider combining mince pies with:
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Shortbread biscuits.
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Christmas cookies.
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Fruit cake.
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Chocolate treats.
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Small festive pastries.
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Traditional sponge cakes.
Devon Heaven has several sweet gift options that can provide inspiration for your table, including the Christmas Treats Gift Box and Cake and Tea Biscuits Hamper.
You can also explore the Cake and Biscuit Hampers collection for more ideas.
5. Prepare a Selection of Cakes and Biscuits
A good afternoon tea should offer a little variety. While scones and mince pies may be the main attractions, adding cakes and biscuits gives guests more choice.
You do not need to prepare everything yourself. A mixture of homemade and ready-made treats can make hosting much easier.
Consider including:
Small sponge cakes: Easy to serve and suitable for guests who prefer something light.
Shortbread: A traditional biscuit that pairs wonderfully with tea.
Fruit cake: A familiar festive favourite that can be served in small slices.
Chocolate treats: A little chocolate can add variety to a traditional afternoon tea.
Festive biscuits: Christmas-shaped biscuits can add a seasonal touch to the table.
If you want to create a generous selection, Devon Heaven’s Biscuit and Cake Lovers Basket and Afternoon Tea Cake Hamper are worth considering.
The Afternoon Tea Hamper and Afternoon Tea Feast Hamper offer further inspiration for a festive spread.
6. Include a Few Savoury Treats
Although sweet food is usually the highlight of afternoon tea, adding a few savoury options can make your Christmas gathering feel more complete.
A small savoury selection gives guests an alternative to cakes and biscuits, particularly if they prefer something less sweet.
You could serve:
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Cheese and crackers.
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Mini sandwiches.
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Cheese biscuits.
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Olives.
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Savoury pastries.
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Chutneys and savoury dips.
For a Westcountry-inspired addition, Devon Heaven’s Cheese and Savoury Snacks is worth exploring. It includes a selection of cheeses and savoury accompaniments that can provide inspiration for a festive sharing platter.
The Afternoon Tea Hamper with Cheese and Biscuits is another option if you want to combine sweet and savoury treats.
You can also browse the wider Savoury Hampers collection for additional ideas.
7. Choose the Right Tea and Festive Drinks
Tea is at the heart of a traditional afternoon tea, so it deserves a little attention when planning your Christmas gathering.
A classic English breakfast tea is always a popular choice, but offering a few alternatives can make the experience more enjoyable for guests.
Consider serving:
English breakfast tea: A familiar option that pairs well with scones, cakes and biscuits.
Earl Grey: A fragrant tea with a distinctive flavour that works nicely with sweet treats.
Fruit tea: A good alternative for guests who prefer something lighter.
Herbal tea: Useful for anyone who wants a caffeine-free option.
Decaffeinated tea: Worth having available for guests who prefer to avoid caffeine later in the day.
You can also offer coffee, hot chocolate and other non-alcoholic drinks. During December, a little festive decoration around the drinks station can make it feel especially welcoming.
If you want to explore traditional tea-time gifts, Devon Heaven’s Afternoon Tea Nibbles and Westcountry Afternoon Tea Hamper are further options to consider.
8. Decorate Your Table for a Festive Atmosphere
The presentation of your afternoon tea can make a big difference. You do not need expensive decorations or elaborate table arrangements. A few thoughtful details can create a beautiful Christmas setting.
Start with a clean tablecloth or festive table runner. Add matching napkins, attractive plates and a selection of serving stands.
Natural decorations can work particularly well. Small evergreen branches, pine cones and simple seasonal arrangements can bring a little Christmas character to the table.
You could also include:
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Small Christmas ornaments.
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Warm fairy lights.
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Candles placed safely away from food.
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Festive napkin rings.
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A simple centrepiece.
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Small name cards for guests.
A tiered cake stand is particularly useful for afternoon tea because it allows you to display different treats without taking up too much table space.
Arrange the scones, cakes, biscuits and mince pies so that guests can easily see and reach everything. Keep cream, jam and other accompaniments in separate serving dishes.
The aim is to create a relaxed setting where everyone feels comfortable helping themselves and enjoying the occasion.
9. Make Hosting Easier with a Ready-Made Afternoon Tea Hamper
Preparing a Christmas afternoon tea from scratch can take quite a bit of time. Between baking, shopping, decorating and getting everything ready for guests, it is easy to spend more time organising the event than enjoying it.
A ready-made afternoon tea hamper can simplify the preparation.
Instead of sourcing every item separately, you can choose a suitable selection and concentrate on the atmosphere, table arrangement and company.
Devon Heaven has several products worth exploring:
You can explore more options in the Christmas and Winter Hampers collection.
If you are hosting a smaller gathering, a Cream Tea for One may also provide inspiration for individual servings.
For a more substantial selection, the Large Devon Cream Tea by Post is another product to consider.
Always check the current contents, quantities and storage instructions before ordering. If your hamper contains fresh or chilled ingredients, make sure you can store them appropriately before serving.
10. Plan Your Afternoon Tea Around Your Guests
A successful Christmas afternoon tea is not just about the food. It is also about making sure everyone feels welcome and has something they can enjoy.
Think about how many people are attending and whether anyone has particular dietary requirements.
For example, some guests may avoid gluten, while others may be vegetarian or vegan. It is worth asking about these requirements before deciding on the menu.
You should also consider whether your guests prefer traditional tea, coffee or other drinks.
If you are preparing the food yourself, having a mixture of sweet and savoury options can make the gathering more flexible. You do not need to prepare huge quantities of everything; a carefully chosen selection is often enough.
For additional inspiration, browse Devon Heaven’s Devon Food Hampers collection and Create Your Own Hamper collection.
If you are buying a gift for someone who enjoys hosting afternoon tea, a hamper can also be a lovely way to help them create their own festive gathering.
11. Send an Afternoon Tea Gift to Someone Who Cannot Join You
Not everyone can be together at Christmas. Friends and family may live in different parts of the country, and work or other commitments can make festive visits difficult.
Sending an afternoon tea hamper by post is a thoughtful way to make someone feel included, even when you cannot celebrate together.
A traditional cream tea can be particularly suitable for parents and grandparents who enjoy classic British treats.
Devon Heaven offers products such as the Devon Cream Tea by Post, the Fruit and Plain Scone Hamper and the Afternoon Tea Cake Hamper.
You could also consider the Christmas Eve Gift Box for a seasonal surprise.
Before ordering, check the available delivery dates, product availability and storage requirements. Fresh and chilled products need particular attention, especially during the busy Christmas delivery period.
For further ordering information, visit the Devon Heaven FAQ page.
Bring Everyone Together for a Traditional Christmas Afternoon Tea
A Christmas afternoon tea is a lovely way to celebrate the festive season without organising a large formal meal. Traditional Devon scones, clotted cream, jam, mince pies, cakes and freshly brewed tea create a welcoming spread that guests of different ages can enjoy.
The best part is that you can make the occasion as simple or elaborate as you like. Bake everything yourself, combine homemade treats with ready-made favourites or choose an afternoon tea hamper to make preparation easier.
For more festive food inspiration, explore the Devon Heaven homepage, browse the complete collection of food gifts or discover the range of cream teas by post.
Whether you are hosting family at home, inviting friends for a festive afternoon or sending a special gift to someone far away, a traditional Devon-inspired afternoon tea is a wonderful way to share a little Christmas happiness.
