Anya Hindmarch’s Festive Tea transforms afternoon tea into Christmas theatre
At the Anya Café in London, a bespoke wooden stand inspired by spinning German Christmas pyramids holds a playful reimagining of the British tradition, complete with a letter to Father Christmas and magic.
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The Anya Café has dressed its afternoon tea in seasonal theatre. A monumental red carved wooden stand, its silhouette inspired by the gentle spinning of German Christmas pyramids, rises from the table like a miniature grotto, each tier punctuated with scalloped edges and scattered gold stars. Within this sculptural vessel sits the mechanics of the tradition entirely reimagined: delicate pastries, rich chocolate cakes studded with glossy toppings, finger sandwiches and warm scones, each tier a discovery.
What makes this particular iteration of British afternoon tea distinctly Anya Hindmarch is the thread of playfulness woven throughout. Guests receive writing materials with their tea: a letter and stamp so that they might pen a note to Father Christmas, which can then be posted in his Post Office next door. The wooden stand itself becomes a gift, a keepsake of the moment, carved with the precision that speaks to the designer’s singular attention to craft and detail.
The Festive Tea operates until 31st December, serving families seeking an outing beyond the ordinary and those celebrating birthdays with a touch of wonder. The Anya Café also welcomes visits to its Father Christmas Grotto, open from 7th November, where the architecture of Christmas fantasy continues. Bookings can be made through the brand’s website.
Imagery courtesy of Anya Hindmarch (@anyahindmarch).