At this time of year, the sun may be setting ever earlier but a three tier cake stand has an almost magical power to add some sparkle to your afternoon.

Whether you are looking for a gift for friends or family, a pre-Christmas catch-up or you simply want to plan a break in your Christmas shopping, 5pm Dining has lots of afternoon tea options that will make you smile.

The run-up to Christmas suddenly feels rather less chilly.

Sparkling Afternoon Tea at Red Sky Bar, Radisson RED, Glasgow

Grab your coat and your favourite person, you are going for afternoon tea with Prosecco at a swish rooftop bar on the Clyde Main pic shows the bar at night.

You can both relax in style with the best view of the city while enjoying treats like mini salmon bagels and chocolate mousse, all washed down with a chilled glass of Prosecco.

Your destination? The iconic Red Sky Bar at Radisson RED, of course. Now hurry, those strawberry tarts are waiting for you…

Offering panoramic views of the Clyde, Hydro and Armadillo, the Sky Bar at Radisson RED is Glasgow’s first rooftop bar. It is safe to say that it’s a very scenic spot for swapping gossip and tucking into scones covered with lashings of clotted cream.

This Big Deal for an afternoon tea for two is available seven days a week until the end of December.

As up to four vouchers (eight people) can be used at one time, it would be ideal for a special celebration.

Sky Bar’s afternoon tea menu can change seasonally, but here is a sample of what you can expect:

Selection of scones, jam, clotted cream and butter
Mini smoked salmon bagel
Selection of finger sandwiches, including egg mayonnaise and ham & tomato
Chorizo sausage roll
Chocolate mousse cup
Berry Pavlova
Lemon meringue

Valid until the 30th of December (seasonal shut-outs apply), this offer is £30 for 2 people to enjoy afternoon tea with a glass of Prosecco at the Red Sky Bar within Radisson RED.

Mean Girls Morning Tea Pink Inc Cafe, Southside

Since it landed in Shawlands recently like a gorgeous, flaunty flamingo, Pink Inc Cafe has been shaking up the Glasgow tearoom scene quite a bit.

For instance, it doesn’t believe that afternoon tea should be just for, well, afternoons. That’s why it has introduced a magical morning tea, which you can enjoy with today’s Big Deal for two.

Available from 9am each day, get ready to step into a bubblegum-coloured wonderland for a very unique treat…

Pink Inc Cafe is a cute little haven for a cuppa on Kilmarnock Road. As you would expect from the name, it’s decked out in shades of rose, fuchsia and blush, with sparkly chandeliers and a mock cherry tree to add to the fun.

The cafe has already been voted the most Instagrammable cafe in Shawlands by GlasgowLive, and Glasgow’s most Instagrammable eaterie by Glasgow’s Best Food blog on Instagram.

With today’s Big Deal on a morning tea for two, you can enjoy the following delights:

Mini croissants
Mini empire biscuits or French cake
Scones with butter & jam
Mini pastries
Mini cupcakes
Mean Girls biscuits
Greek yogurt with granola topping, fruit
Pot of tea for two or choice of coffee
Raspberry lemonade or fruit juice

Priced at £24.50, the Big Deal is for 2 people to have a Mean Girls themed morning tea available until the 15th February 2020, with bookings from 9am ‘til 11.30am. Seasonal shut-outs apply.

Sparkling Afternoon Tea in The Mariner Bar, Crowne Plaza

Is there anything better than afternoon tea with Prosecco?

Possibly. How about afternoon tea with Prosecco plus access to a lovely leisure club where you can make full use of the swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym?

Lucky, then, that the Crowne Plaza in Finnieston is offering all of the above with this Big Deal on a Prosecco afternoon tea for two or four with full access to the leisure club.

A towering glass hotel overlooking the river, the four-star Crowne Plaza is definitely an impressive sight.

It is also just a stroll away from some of Glasgow’s main event venues like the Hydro, SEC and Armadillo, plus the Exhibition Centre train station is also nearby.

This Big Deal is for afternoon tea for two or four, available seven days a week until 23rd December.

Your afternoon tea will be served in The Mariner Bar which has relaxing views of the river. Enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches and sausage rolls; plain scones and fruit scones with jam and cream.

To finish, guests will be offered a variety of fresh pastries and cakes. Of course, you will also enjoy a pot of tea or coffee.

A glass of Prosecco for each guest is also included in the offer.

Before or after your afternoon tea, you can head to the leisure club and make full use of the swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym.

The Big Deal is for 2 or 4 people to have afternoon tea & 125ml glass of Prosecco in The Mariner Bar + access to leisure facilities. It is valid until 23.12.19 (shut-outs apply).

Festive Afternoon Tea at Millennium Hotel, Glasgow

They say to give is better than to receive.

So give yourself today’s Big Deal on a festive afternoon tea for two at the Millennium Hotel on George Square.

With purchases valid until the end of January 2020 (seasonal shut-outs apply), this offer would be perfect for a luxurious break during a marathon spending spree.

Or you could simply treat a friend to a delicious afternoon tea. A catch-up is never dull with a glass of Prosecco in one hand and a cake in the other.

Available noon till 4pm, seven days a week, this offer has two options.

Option one is for two people to have a festive afternoon tea in the sophisticated setting of the Millennium Hotel.

Option two is for two people to have a festive afternoon tea served with a chilled glass of Prosecco each.

Your afternoon tea comprises a selection of freshly made sandwiches, an assortment of festive patisserie from the executive chef and freshly baked scones served with strawberry jam and Devon whipped cream.

With tables available in the cosy conservatory overlooking George Square, this offer would be perfect for a spot of people watching.

Bag this Big Deal from £19 and book into the Millennium Hotel for a glamorous, festive afternoon tea.

Afternoon Tea + Prosecco or G&T at 29 Private Members Club

There is afternoon tea. And then there is afternoon tea with added glitz, glamour and (most importantly) bubbles or gin.

Needless to say, the luxury lover in your life would adore the latter as a gift.

29 Private Members’ Club on Royal Exchange Square has more than its fair share of glam. Housed in a grand historic building, it is dripping with modern chic inside.

With this Big Deal for two, you can relax on 29’s smart white sofas, nibble on a delicious afternoon spread and clink glasses filled with Prosecco or an ice-cold Hendrick’s G&T. Fabulous, darling.

And you don’t have to give it away as a gift, you know. Why not snatch it up for yourself instead and enjoy a catch up with a friend?

Afternoon tea at 29 is an indulgent affair that starts with your choice of a selection of fine teas and coffees. With this offer, you will also get a choice of either Prosecco or a Hendrick’s G&T each.

The menu is refreshed every now and then, but a typical afternoon tea might include smoked Scottish salmon, cream cheese and cucumber wraps; cold Cajun chicken sliders; mini free-range egg mayonnaise and cress brioche rolls, and tomato focaccia sandwiches filled with honey roast ham and mature cheddar.

The fruit scones are served with Chantilly cream and strawberry jam, while the cake selection features mini strawberry tarts, blueberry muffins, millionaire bites and raspberry and lemon choux buns. Oh my.

This offer is available from Friday to Sundays with sittings at 1pm or 3pm.

Valid from early January to the 23rd of February 2020, this Big Deal is for 2 people to have afternoon tea and starts at £19.

Afternoon Tea at Scott's on Princes Street, Edinburgh

Spectacular panoramas of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town are a major draw at Scott’s on Princes Street. The dining room and lounge have smart, contemporary decor but most diners will find their eyes glued to the views.

Ideal for breaking up a city centre shopping expedition, the festive afternoon tea at Scott's includes a selection of fortifying sandwiches and then, wait for it, the cake selection:  stollen bite vanilla slice, mince pie scone with jam and whipped cream plus a gingerbread man

If you are visiting from out of town, Scott's on Princes Street is a handy five-minute stroll from Waverley train station. Of course, from Edinburgh Castle to the luxury boutique shops of Multrees Walk, many of the capital’s major attractions are within easy walking distance.

Book in via 5pm Dining for afternoon tea from £15 per person. An extra £6 will see you enjoying a glass of Galanti Prosecco with your afternoon tea.

Hendrick's Afternoon Tea at Chez Mal Bar, Glasgow Malmaison

Arguably the spirit that kick-started the new wave of interesting gins, Hendrick’s is the gin that likes to give things an unconventional twist.

Which means it fits in perfectly with the unconventional afternoon tea at the funky Chez Mal Bar in Glasgow’s Malmaison.

Go round the twist with today’s Big Deal on a Hendrick’s afternoon tea for two at Chez Mal on West George Street.

Nominated for Hotel of the Year at the Prestige Hotel Awards in 2018, Mal Bar is a cool hangout with eye-catching Pop Art, ideal for a catch-up with a chum.

Especially when you have one hand on a Hendrick’s G & Tea and one eye on a salted chocolate brownie.

Available from noon until 5pm, seven days a week, this Big Deal is for two people to have a Hendrick’s afternoon tea at Chez Mal bar.

Tuck into an afternoon tea which, among other things, features the likes of the following:

Fruit or plain scones

Clotted cream & strawberry jam

Smoked salmon, cucumber & cream cheese bagel

Egg mayonnaise sub roll

Louisiana slider

Seasonal cheesecake

Salted caramel chocolate brownie

Bakewell tart

Double chocolate cupcake

Seasonal fruit shake

Your choice of speciality teas

Valid from early January to the end of March 2020 (seasonal shut-outs apply), this Big Deal is £34 for 2 people to have a Hendrick's afternoon tea at Chez Mal in Malmaison Glasgow.

Spanish Afternoon Tea + Glass of Fizz at Arta, Glasgow

The Brits may have invented afternoon tea but other countries have not been slow to give their take on this most civilised of dining occasions.

Say ‘Hola!’ to a delish Spanish afternoon tea with a glass of Cava courtesy of this Big Deal from Arta.

Arta’s Spanish afternoon tea has been around for a couple of years now and everyone is raving about it – check it out if you haven’t already, or drop by again if you have been before and loved it.

Situated in the Merchant City, Arta is a cool, Mediterranean-themed bar, restaurant and club.

Modelled on an opulent Spanish hacienda, it’s a jaw-dropping mix of sweeping stairs, glittering candelabras and marble statues.

Available from 5pm to 8pm, Thursday and Friday, and noon to 5pm on Saturday, this Big Deal is for two people to each have Arta’s Spanish afternoon tea.

The result of lots of very enjoyable research by Arta’s chefs, their afternoon tea offers a tempting selection of savoury tapas and Spanish desserts.

Priced at £24 and available from the 27th of December to the 29th of February 2020 (seasonal shut-outs apply), this Big Deal is for 2 people to each have Spanish afternoon tea + 125ml glass of Cava.

Morning Tea or Afternoon Tea at Lodge on Loch Lomond Hotel

As the song points out, the banks of Loch Lomond are indeed bonnie.

Especially when you have a cup of tea in one hand and a cake in the other.

Drink in the view while munching on today’s Big Deal for morning tea or Prosecco afternoon tea for two with optional leisure access at the four star Lodge on Loch Lomond Hotel.

With validity from January until the end of March 2020, this offer would make a wonderful Christmas gift.

As the name suggests, the Lodge on Loch Lomond Hotel sits in the heart of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

It feels a very long way from the city but is just 30 minutes from Glasgow – ideal for a convenient day trip with a friend or family member.

Featuring panoramic views of the loch and Ben Lomond, Colquhoun’s Restaurant has a brilliant reputation for delicious modern cuisine created using the freshest of local produce.

Served from 10.30am until midday, seven days a week, morning tea includes  granola with yoghurt and berry compote; a tattie scone, chorizo, poached egg and paprika and truffle hollandaise skillet plus scones, cream and jam. A choice of organic tea or coffee will complete the perfect morning meal.

Available noon to 5pm, seven days a week, your afternoon tea will be served with a chilled glass of Prosecco. You can expect a selection of tasty finger sandwiches with fillings along the lines of cheese savoury, pastrami mustard mayo, tuna and red onion.

There will also be a selection of savoury bites such as haggis bon bons and sausage rolls, as well as sweet treats like carrot cake, Victoria sponge, berry tart, brownie, white chocolate fudge and, of course, scones with clotted cream and jam.

Naturally, afternoon tea comes with a choice of hot drinks: Earl Grey, ginger, green, berry, English breakfast, camomile mint, or coffee.

Valid from early January to the end of March 2020 (subject to seasonal shut-outs), this Big Deal starts at £19 for 2 people to enjoy morning tea at the Lodge on Loch Lomond Hotel. There is a £5 per person supplement for Saturday and Sunday bookings.