Be Kind to Yourself and Others – with a Christmas Morning Tea!

If you’re one of those people who want no one to be left out on Christmas Day, planning a celebration that won’t break the back or leave you feeling exhausted, can be tricky. Which is why we’d like to suggest a festive morning tea as the best of all possible Christmas gatherings! Here’s why it works and how to make it happen!

A Christmas morning tea isn’t formal, so invitations don’t need to be, either. Which is perfect for issuing casual invitations to anyone in your friend group who you discover, at the last minute, is going to be alone on Christmas Day.

The gathering time can be stipulated without offering offence. ‘Christmas morning tea from 10am to midday,’ has a jolly, casual ring to it but gives everyone the message it’s not an all-day affair.

Morning tea is undemanding when it comes to dress code. Pop on your shorts and sun hat, and you’re good to go! There’s certainly no need to head to the hair salon the day before!

Christmas morning tea’s informality means guests can come and go as they please. Those who aren’t sociable but who are ‘making the effort’ can call in for 20 minutes and then go again without feeling awkward. The neighbour with the new baby can arrive late, and anyone who wants company can see out the whole session!

With morning tea, there are no place settings to prepare, and no cutlery to be counted. Have pretty Christmas themed serviettes on hand, you don’t even need plates!

Plastic (reusable) ‘glasses’ are perfectly acceptable at a morning tea gathering, as is asking guests to bring their own glass (either way, it saves washing up).

Morning tea is infinitely extendable – if unexpected ‘waifs and strays’ turn up on the day, it’s so easy to break open another packet of Christmas mince pies, chips and dip, or chocolates (the sort of edibles that can stay in the pantry if numbers are fewer than expected).

Morning tea has no rules! It can be as simple as tea and coffee in pretty cups accompanied by a slice of Christmas cake. Or you can take it up a notch to include fruit mince pies, stollen, and festive savouries. But what you must not do (if you want to be kind to yourself) is call it ‘brunch’ (which then becomes a ‘meal,’ and involves a lot more preparation).

Morning tea can include alcohol, but only if it’s Buck’s Fizz (a fruit juice and bubbly mix) or sherry. Which makes providing the drinks inexpensive.

Christmas morning tea is made for an outdoor setting if the weather is fine. Just spread out some rugs (red tartan if you have it) on the grass, and scatter some cushions. Let it be known ahead of time that guests who want a seat are welcome to bring along a deck chair. If the weather is cool, the deckchairs will provide extra seating indoors.

If you want to include gift giving as part of the gathering, ‘morning tea’ signals ‘something small’ or home-made. Ask guests to bring just one small gift suitable for someone of any age. Pop all the gifts in a basket and hold a ‘lucky dip.’

If you know one of your guests plays a casual instrument (such as a guitar, recorder, or fiddle) ask them to bring it along. Print off a few sheets of carols, and have a sing along.

Winding up your Christmas morning tea early in the day leaves plenty of time to attend another get-together you may have been invited to. Or ask one of your guests to join you for a walk in the park or on the beach later in the day.

This Christmas, be kind to yourself. Extend generosity to all those you wish to include in your festive gathering – without the fuss!