Today I'm sharing another little bit of inspiration from my article that was published in the holiday edition of Victorian Homes Magazine. I changed the wording somewhat, since talking to YOU is different than what an editor wants to see in print.
Christmas is the most favorite holiday of all, a celebration of beloved traditions, cherished family decorations and holiday meals that evoke memories of magical winter days spent with family and friends.
Our house is at its best during the holidays, bedecked with garlands of fresh-cut evergreens, boughs of holly dotted with bright red berries, all to greet holiday visitors with a warm welcome. Don't you love this time of year?
I'm trying hard to focus on the reason for this season, and not get hectic and crazy, are you? This is a great time to get together with people you love.
With the house dressed in celebratory finery, it's a great time to extend an invitation to neighbors, friends and family. Since your home is probably looking its best {just close the door to rooms where the elves are making a huge mess with piles of wrapping paper, gifts and deliveries etc.} visitors can always expect a most warm welcome in your home during the holidays.
This is the perfect time to gather your friends, and reconnect with old friends you love but haven't seen in ages. We are all so busy these days, but I vowed a few years ago that I would MAKE TIME to see my friends, and really spend time with them
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A holiday tea time party is both elegant and easy to host. It is pretty, but is way less pressure than other types of parties. And here's a secret: You don't have to actually MAKE everything! I am sharing our favorite White Chocolate Raspberry Scones recipe from Delicious Table in my next post, if you made those, you could buy the rest. Really. {Secret Sneak Peek below!}
This thinking that we have to do everything ourselves is silly. It actually kept me from entertaining for a while, until I grew older wizened up. There are so many delicious things to buy, I usually make one thing, and buy the rest! That is the beauty of a tea, you can make it as easy or as complicated as you want! If you don't have the time to make everything, you don't have to. See that gorgeous cake, below? From our local Trader Joe's. I just took it out of the box, and sifted some powdered sugar on it to dress it up a little. Easy. Delicious. Beautiful!
Not quite a meal, not quite as casual as appetizers and drinks, a tea gives you a great excuse to bring out the silver, iron a pretty antique or vintage table cloth, and try out some of those holiday cookie recipes you want to make but are afraid that if you do, you will eat them all yourself!
Few gatherings are more convivial than one centered around a beautiful tea table. Outfit your table in its finest, using an heirloom antique cutwork tablecloth, gleaming silver and your prettiest porcelain cups. Just in case you need to "holiday up" your silver, I use Goddard's, the best silver care polish. Read HOW TO CLEAN & POLISH YOUR HEIRLOOM SILVER HERE.
A centerpiece can be flowers, of course, but a bowl filled with antique blown glass ornaments will also add flourish and sparkle.
A few candles, the lights from your Christmas tree, and you are well on your way to a beautiful, memorable party! Candlelight bathes your room in a welcoming glow, and makes everything, and everyone, look better! {I used to put a candle next to my kitchen sink and told my girls it made doing dishes special. They didn't really fall for it.}
I'm adding some exceptional heirloom tea antiques this week to the shop. But honestly, you can have a lovely tea party with mis-matched cups, and a few cookies or a cake on a plate. It's really more about spending time together, sipping hot delicious tea, and sharing bits and pieces of your life together.
Next time, look for Lisa's delicious White Chocolate Raspberry Scones! You can make these now, freeze them, and bake at tea time, or on Christmas Day!
WHAT DO YOU SERVE FOR TEA AT YOUR HOUSE?
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27 comments
I love the silver tea and coffee pots. I wish more people today
appreciated silver serving pieces. They instantly make your table more elegant.
Shelley, what a sweet, sweet memory! Love this, my friend. Merry Christmas to you and your family! xo Lidy
Your lovely ideas on setting the table for tea made me go straight to the kitchen to prepare a cup for myself. As I drank it, I smiled because it made me remember a game my sister and I played when we were very young teens. About once a month we decided to go on a “glamor campaign.” Everything that day was to be done in a glamorous way … meaning sophisticated … to our young minds. First we dolled ourselves up with manicures and makeup, then we prepared dainty goodies and tea, serving them on the good china, with lace-edged napkins on a silver tray. We practiced our best manners and enjoyed pretending we were grown-up ladies, usually movie stars. Life today gets so busy, but maybe it’s time for some of that glamor again!
I love a 3 tier trays, each sections serves a different menu, such as finger sandwiches, fruits and pastries… It looks like party when it’s all together.
i’d say “charm” is the key word, as your Tea is so charming. The china is exquisite. Thanks for the beautiful “tea party” … and the tips. I must say that I love the story about the candle!…
Caryn, that sounds absolutely divine! I can only imagine what fun it is, and what special memories all of you hold in your hearts of this tea!
My friends always require I service my egg salad tea sandwiches and chicken salad on mini croissants from trader joes.
At our annual Christmas Tea we serve egg salad, cucumber and cream cheese and sun dried tomato tea sandwiches, Also, chicken salad in phyllo, an onion soufflé, and Brie in pastry with raspberry chipotle sauce is on our table. The silver tea service includes a special coffee blend and Constant Comment Tea. We also serve a raspberry fruit punch. We bake six or more different cookies. We usually have forty ladies who attend. This past Sunday was our 27th year to host our Tea.
This is the 27th year my girlfriend and I have had a Christmas Tea. It is usually held on the first Sunday in December. It started as a cookie exchange with our daughters who are now in their 30’s. We have friends from their school days, neighbors and so he from our church. In San Antonio, sometimes it is very warm and I crank down the air conditioning so we can have a fire. This past Sunday was cold and rainy so we had no need for the AC!!
Thank you for sharing this post. Your things are gorgeous. I do drink tea at least twice a day.
Joan