Christmas Tea for Young Ladies

A few days before Christmas my 7th grade niece

 and I were texting one another

saying how busy we've been

 and how sad it was we haven't had any tea time together.

And then a thought popped into my head

 and I asked her how she'd like to invite 5 of her friends

 over to her Aunt Shell's house

 for an impromptu afternoon Christmas Tea.

She *loved* the idea and quickly texted five

and all but one said yes!

So with just one day to prepare

 I got busy and set the dining table with love,

and a pretty Christmas theme!

Up till then I hadn't bothered with getting

my Christmas china and glassware out

because my sister hosted Christmas Eve

and my daughter hosted Christmas Day this year.

It is the very first Christmas I didn't prepare

 a Christmas meal since I was just a girl!

I have always done it, almost my entire whole life.

(It felt odd not hosting, but I sure could get used to it, haha.)

I found the most perfect favors for this party:

Matching set of sachets and dress-shaped note pads

 in scarlet red with green ribbon - with mini metal "hangers." 

I love how with being red and green party dresses

they're "holiday" but not too over-the-top Christmas-ey,

so the girls may actually like and use them awhile.

The "welcome to my party" punch drink was a mix of

 apple juice, Sprite for fizz and cranberry juice for a splash of color;

served in etched vintage champagne glasses.

Harney and Sons "White Christmas" was the tea served.

Menu:

Cream of Potato Soup

(served in vintage milk glass teacups)

Egg Salad Triangles on Wheat

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Ham with Honey Mustard Squares

Jeni's "Salty Caramel" Ice Cream

(Served in vintage champagne glasses)

Tiered trays of goodies leftover from my cookie exchange party

Here is a pic with just a few of the items on one of the tiers.

I laid out all sorts of hat boxes

 for them to try on hats, and wear the one of their choice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And just look at these sweet, beautiful happy

 smiling lasses in their hats sitting at tea!

Before they finished up I read them Tom Hegg's story book

"A Cup of Christmas Tea."

Then I let my niece take them upstairs to see 

my Cup of Christmas Tea cup and lighted Mistletoe Tea House.

They asked to borrow my camera and took this clever shot.

My niece took the one below, too!

My niece wrapped and surprised her pals

 with "parting gifts" she bought and wrapped herself.

They were these new-fangled lip balm balls -

 guess they're super popular.

The girls loved them.

I had never heard of them, but that's not saying much.

Maybe I'd know if I got my nose out of a book 

and/or a teacup more often, eh?

: - )

As always, thank you for your visit!

♥

~Michele

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