Plan a Perfect Vintage Christmas
- Mel's Marvellous Cakes
- Nov 26
- 4 min read
Hosting a vintage Christmas is a delightful way to bring charm, elegance, and a touch of nostalgia to your home. I'm going to tell you about some of my ideas and how to create your own vintage tea table, gifts and bakes.
For those who follow me, you will already know how much I love thrifting and upcycling what I already have. I don't always feel very inspired but when I do, my house is covered in a variety of half-finished projects ready for those moments when I have the creative energy again. I don't like to throw things away and so I try to reimagine their purpose. Odd scraps of material, doilies not suitable for tea parties, broken crockery can all be made into new and useful items. Broken crockery becomes planters for baby spider plants and succulents, which don't need a lot of water, are perfect in teacups with a few pebbles at the bottom for drainage.
Where to find ideas:
I trawl apps like Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration. There are some excellent creators out there and there's nothing wrong with drawing inspiration from other people. I recommend following the accounts below:
an interior designer who is a very creative upcycler. His projects are awe inspiring. I couldn't copy them but am inspired by them.
a brilliant festival run by Justine who brings together lots of crafters at Christmas and in the summer and runs crochet retreats. Try a workshop or two.
a very good friend of mine who teaches children how to make clay art and sculpture. She also designs the most beautiful cards that could are a gift in themselves and definitely not a present to throw away. Mine are framed as art.
this programme has embraced upcycled fashion including making dresses out of old festival tents.
Woking & Sam Beare Hospice charity including their warehouse sales and ideas for avoiding fast fashion.
an international idea that is also hyperlocal. Try setting up a group in your own area if there isn't one. We have one on Facebook called Buy Nothing Woking GU22. Do join if you live in the GU22 area.
Pinterest is an excellent resource. Mel's Marvellous Cakes has several boards and this is where I find inspiration for my cakes, tea parties, mood boards and fashion. Follow us for more ideas for tea parties and all things vintage.
Crafting the Perfect Menu: Vintage Tea Party Tips for Food and Drink
So, if you are hosting a vintage Christmas party. Use some imagination and save your pennies. You do not need all that Amazon and Temu tutt to impress your guests:
Tea Selection: Use loose leaf tea in a lovely teapot. Some of these teapots have survived for decades for a reason; they keep the tea warm and they look so beautiful with a cozy winter tea cozy. Tea cozies can be crocheted very easily or you can pick them up at one of the many Christmas markets throughout November and December. My favourite teas in winter weather are tea lattes such as chai latte or London Fog.
Savory and Sweet Bites: Supermarkets advertise Christmas party food from the end of the summer but anything that can survive in the freezer for months if full of nasty preservatives. If you're not able to book me to bake fresh petit fours for you, use the food that you already eat but make it small and make a range so that you get a little taste of everything. High tea is the name for this delightful meal. It includes savoury bakes such as sausage rolls, pork pie and cheese scones, tasty sandwiches (not doorstops!) and sweet puddings such as sticky toffee covered in homemade custard. If there are only a few of you at Christmas, don't stress yourself with a roast dinner, instead, treat yourself to a high tea and salute the season.
Scones: Serve freshly baked scones with clotted cream or drained and whipped yoghurt and a winter berry jam. Warm scones are a must-have. You can wrap them in a cotton or linen napkin to keep them warm.
Crockery and Cutlery: Hire rather than buy crockery and glasses. It's so much cheaper and, you don't have to wash up or find a place to keep them after celebrations are over. My crockery and glasses are a mismatched bunch but I love each and every one of them as though they were family.
Vintage Presentation: Use tiered cake stands to display food attractively. If you don't have cakes stands, stack a few vintage books and place plates up above your decor. These are an excellent talking point at the table and everyone has a couple of vintage books lying around, don't they!? Label each food item with small vintage-style cards. You could have fun hand writing each card. I use recycled boards from a house clearance and write on them with chalk. Make a centrepiece with some evergreen foliage and holly. Use candles if safe to or fairy lights down the centre of the table. Everything is enhanced by fairy lights including mood!
For those who want to simplify vintage catering, consider vintage tea party catering services that specialize in authentic and beautifully presented treats.
Activities and Entertainment: Vintage Tea Party Tips for Fun
Adding activities and entertainment can make your vintage tea party more engaging and memorable.
Tea Tasting: Host a tea tasting session where guests can sample different blends and learn about their origins.
Etiquette Lesson: Teach traditional tea party etiquette, such as how to hold a teacup and proper conversation topics.
Games: Include vintage games like croquet, charades, or a trivia quiz about the era you are celebrating.
Storytelling: Share stories or poems from the vintage era to entertain guests.
Craft Station: Set up a small craft station where guests can decorate their own teacups or make floral crowns.
Enjoy planning your perfect vintage tea party!
