The holidays are here and you want to spend some time with your friends. You feel you should host a party, but don’t have the funds for a huge holiday blast. An afternoon tea can be more relaxed and can even provide a sense of accomplishment. Here are several ideas other than the traditional tea. If you have a Christmas set of dinnerware, use it. You can decorate in the traditional red and green colors or expand to the new themes of lime and blue, blue and silver, brown and cream or whatever you desire.
Tree trimming. This theme can have a variety of sub-themes. You can decorate your tree, make it a progressive party and decorate each others or decorate a tree for charity or for a shut-in or care facility. In our area there is a tree decorating contest each year with the trees being auctioned and the money going to a charity. If you do decorate for a shut-in be sure to arrange to take them down after the holidays.
Card writing. This is a great time for each of you to do those special cards for family and friends. You can meet at someone’s home and each of you provide part of the needed items. Someone might buy the postage stamps, someone may be into scrapbooking and have colored pens, stickers, and other embellishments for the cards. Someone may bring the cards and others might bring the food. Have a fun time for the afternoon. Have a table to place the cards while they dry. Have a table for the food and plenty of work space. Already have your list done? Send cards to shut-ins or to our military personnel away from home.
Peppermints and the Nutcracker Suite. Use peppermints for decorations, as table favors, and in the foods served. The either go to the live performance (or have the tea after the matinee), what it on TV or just listen to the music in the background as you share an afternoon of catch up.
Exchanges. There can be several types of exchanges. Cookies, ornaments, tea cups, tea (a great way to sample new teas without having to buy a lot), gifts, books and more. Bring enough for each person of whatever you are exchanging plus one for sampling at the event – or bring two. One for those present and one for a shelter or charity.
Christmas Bling or Divas. This is the time for you to bring out the best, or worst, in you. Dress up in your antlers and jingle bells, the holiday tiaras and the blinking Rudolph pin. It’s up to the hostess as to whether she was classy or campy for the party. There could be prizes. Or maybe you dress up and go to tea out in public. You don’t have to be a Red Hatter to do this.
Candles and Firelight. Ward off those dreary days and evenings with a table set with candles and a cozy fire burning. Candles bother you? No fireplace? Bring on the twinkle lights.
Christmas Carols. This theme could also mix with some of the others. Enjoy the tea and add a caroling event to a nursing facility or hospital. You’d look great in your Christmas Bling. Or just sing along around the tea table.
Traditions Around the World. Each person tells about a tradition, either their family one or each study a culture’s tradition. Great theme for a club meeting.
Afternoon at the Movie. Enjoy tea while discussing the movie you just attended or while watching one on TV. maybe the Downton Abbey Christmas Special (dress in the theme), Christmas Vacation, It’s a Wonderful Life, etc.
Friendship Tea. This is pretty much your traditional tea. You can share any of the exchange, the carols, etc. This is a time to renew a friendship with someone who’s moved back to town or is in town visiting or even that new family that just moved into the neighborhood.
Victorian Tea. Share the tradition, the dress, the food of the Victorian era. Maybe combine it with a movie, book review or songs related to the era.
Where’s Santa. This is like Where’s Waldo. The person who finds the most wins a prize. Decorate with Santas, hide a Santa, and wrap gifts in Santa paper. This could also be the theme for a tea where the attendees also bring a gift for a shelter or for Toys for Tots or the local food pantry.
It’s a Wrap. This is kind of like the Christmas card party, but you wrap presents for your family or a charity. This is a great time to share paper, ribbons, etc. And you might even be able to exchange storage space so your daughter doesn’t find her new doll too soon. It makes the chore go faster and maybe talents can be shared. It could even be assembly line time.
Cup of Christmas Cheer. Include a reading of the Cup of Christmas Tea. Decorate in the Christmas theme. It can be combined with a visit to a shut-in or a nursing facility.
Holiday Stress Relief. Yes. Aromatherapy, a spa day, massages, guided imagery or a Christmas Comedy. The idea is to relax, take off your shoes and enjoy each other’s company.
See the Sights. After afternoon tea, pile into the van and drive around town to take in the decorated homes, the lights in the park, etc. Then finish with another cup of tea before parting company for the evening.
I hope you find these ideas helpful. Have a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas.
Tea at the Unicorn Wine Guild 
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