Party Planning: Christmas Tea

[Gingerbug]

Part of planning for the holiday season for me is planning several parties. We like to entertain in a little smaller groups rather than host a large party. Gives everyone a chance to visit more and since our home is not huge it gives us a little breathing space..LOL

For 2008 the theme for the ornament exchange is going to be a Christmas Tea....not sure about decor yet but the menu is

Cranberry Tea (hot)
Another tea ....not sure which yet (hot)
A cold tea recipe...most likely fruity

Orange Ginger Fruit Dip with fresh fruits
Cucumber Sandwiches
Snowballs (cookies)
Another cookie...still need to decide
Cheese Ball with assorted crackers

[Snowbelle27]

Your menu sounds wonderful Ginger. Do you have a recipe for the cranberry tea or do you buy it ready made?

[Gingerbug]

It's a recipe I just found....need to try it out before the Christmas Tea....I'll pop back in later to post it BUT I am trying not to spend so much time online so I can actually get something done..LOL

[irishgirl]

Yum!!! I love tea so I think this is a great idea!! Keep us posted

(you could do an English Cottage theme.. )

[Gingerbug]

oooo...good idea..English Cottage...I like it.

Here's the Cranberry Tea Recipe:

1 bottle (32 oz) cranberry juice
2 cups sugar
1 can (6oz) frozen orange juice concentrate
1 can (6oz) frozen lemonade concentrate
1/3 cup red hot candies
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves

In a 3 quart sauce pan, combine all ingredients...bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 7 minutes stirring frequently. Remove cinnamon and cloves.

To serve...mix one cup concentrate and two cups water....heat through.
Store concentrate in a covered container in the refrigerator. Yield 18 cups 1 1/2 quarts of concentrate.

The recipe didn't say how long the concentrate would keep.

[irishgirl]

MMMMM I bet that smells as good as it sounds.. Can you imagine how yummy your whole house will smell when you brew it!!!!

[Gingerbug]

More Christmas Tea party plans...

1. I will use the Christmas Fairies Tea poem with a flavored tea bag in a tiny gold bag that I posted about in another thread for party favors.

2. My Centerpiece will be a Tea pot filled with some greenery.

3. I will have a little 2-3 foot tree for the tea...along with all the other trees we have...LOL...but this tree will have some tea related ornaments...tiny tea cups, lace doilies, and what ever else I happen to round up between now and then!

4. Since the Tea is also our ornament exchange I will be watching for an ornament that goes with the tea theme!

5. The main colors for this will be white and a touch of gold...
I plan to have lots and lots of white candles as this will be a late
afternoon tea. I also have gold flatware that will be perfect. I have white plates trimmed with a touch of gold that we will use and the set has dainty little cups! I am also going to use those tall clear glass mugs for the Cranberry Tea as I think it will look quite festive in those.

6. I need to think of some Christmas music that might fit this theme...

More details to come later...as this unfolds...