Friday, December 20, 2013

Christmas Tea!

If you've read my blog for awhile, you know that a few times a year I get together with two girlfriends and host tea parties for our little group of friends.

Our annual Christmas Tea was last Sunday. For this event there were a total of four of us who put this tea together. The Christmas Tea is the biggest tea party of the year!  We open up the guest list to include our daughters!

My self and the flea market friend alternate years hosting and this year it was my turn.

The invitations were sent and we had twenty four ladies attending!
I set three tables of eight......I used our dining room/kitchen table, and put two more tables in the living room.....I move out my couch, end tables, and side chairs in order to make room for the tables. The furniture all gets moved into the master bedroom....no peeking in there during the tea party!

When it comes time for the gift exchange we head upstairs to the family room.



We started off with a salad, and served five different types of tea sandwiches. Of course, no tea is complete without scones, lemon curd and devonshire cream!


I use my Christmas dishes to set the tables...and my red glassware on two of the three tables....one of my best garage sale finds.....eight each of white and red wine glasses, champagne, and water goblets for $20.00!  



My Spode Christmas dishes and glasses were used for this table... I also found an unopened pack of 8 Spode Christmas napkins at a garage sale this summer for $1.00!


We tried to keep the centerpieces simple since we put cake stands in the middle of the table to serve the tea sandwiches.



 And of course we have dessert too!


I move a bench seat from my hallway and set up a table for desserts.......


There is so much happening during the holiday season that during the Thanksgiving weekend I make a list of things I have to do during the holidays.....I realized many years ago that I can't do it all....making a list helps me focus on what's really important....family and friends.

One thing that is always at the top of my list is Christmas Tea with my girlfriends!

chris


18 comments:

  1. What a wonderful table setting I can't get enough of the traditional colors and patterns you used, and "ain't it the truth" its our friends and family ! Merry Christmas, Elaine

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  2. You are a wonderful friend!!! Everything looks so pretty and festive! I'm sure all your friends really enjoyed the tea.
    Merry Christmas!
    Warmly,
    deb

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  3. It all looks so lovely. What a wonderful time you must have had.
    Best wishes for Christmas.
    Jacqui

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  4. Love the beautiful table and all the yummy food! Looks like you all had a wonderful time!! Merry Christmas Chris! xo Heather

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  5. So nice to have traditions like this. I just had 8 friends over for a potluck lunch today..we have been doing it for about 15 years. Your tables look wonderful and super festive!

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  6. Looks perfect to me! You are correct, spending time with Family and Friends is at the top of my list too! Have a blessed weekend, HUGS!

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  7. What a wonderful tradition - good friends and good food :) Your tables look lovely!

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  8. So beautiful, Chris - and right after you had the wonderful Gingerbread House Party too, not to mention hosting the White Christmas Tag Swap!!! You're very good at doing a lot, even if not "all"! Love your table settings! I have Spode's Christmas Tree too, so always love seeing it, but I must say that polka-dotted tea pot is really darling! Merry Christmas! xoxo Jane

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  9. Chris- It is all just beautiful. I love that you get together with your girlfriends for Christmas tea. I have the Spode dishes, too. Can't believe you found those napkins for $1!!!! Merry Christmas to you! xo Diana

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  10. What a beautiful event! I think I would like to do that at my house with some close friends. Everything looks so elegant yet cozy and inviting! Mery Christmas! Maggie

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  11. Everything looks so beautiful! What an amazing steal on those napkins too! I'm sure all your friends really look forward to this festive event each year. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

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  12. The tea sandwiches were awesomely delicious! I sure do look forward to this annual event - thanks again.

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  13. Such a pretty table and the food looks yummy!! :) Have a very Merry Christmas! xo Holly

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  14. How fun to have the tables set with different Christmas dishes! Everything looks so festive! Looks like a lot of work to make it come together, but I'm sure all the wonderful memories you made are definitely worth it!

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  15. Looks like fun! You have set such pretty tables!

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  16. Everything is so festive and pretty. Love the plates and the napkins. There is something about Christmas china that is sososo special. Know all of you had a wonderful time together. Merry Christmas. genie

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  17. What a lovely tradition! Your home looks so warm and cozy.

    Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season!

    Leann

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  18. Wow! What a beautiful party. Merry Christmas!

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