Christmas Tea!

Our Ladies Christmas Tea last night was wonderful.

I enjoy seeing the excitement on their faces as they arrive.  They love to see the dishes and tea cups all laid out just for them.  They love to see the oil lamps and special touches.
  

 Our table decor was greens (blue spruce and boxwood), plaid ribbon, kumquats and cranberries.  We used two oil lamps and a beautiful poinsettia for each table.
 

Simple and yet elegant.  

 I've been collecting tea cups and these glass luncheon plates for years!

 These photos were taken in the late afternoon, after we set up.  We still had to add the napkins, which were red and put the scones on each table along with the lemon curd, mock Devonshire cream, and strawberry jam.

Our pastor Mike dropped in right before we started and he thought it all looked wonderful.  He is always so encouraging and thoughtful about supporting the events the church plans.
 
Four young men from our church served as waiters last night and they were great!  I gave them a few guidelines and then they figured out their own strategy!  When I thanked them they all said how much they loved doing it and want to serve again!  

We played a white elephant type game with ornaments.  We all brought an ornament and then drew numbers to pick an ornament.  Of course you can take an ornament someone else already chose and it was fun and full of laughter!  This is the ornament I brought.  
  

We ended the evening singing Christmas Carols.  It was a beautiful evening.  I'm so thankful for this event every year.