As part of annual events that take place around town during the Christmas season, friends have gathered in the tearoom of the YWCO for the annual afternoon Christmas tea for the past 21 years. On Saturday afternoon, December 14, thirty-five friends met for this year’s Winter Wonderland Christmas Tea hosted by the board members of the YWCO.
The Christmas Tea is reminiscent of an event which began in England around 1830, when one of Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting, Anna Marie Stanhope, known as the Duchess of Bedford, created the afternoon teatime. As the noon meal became skimpier, the Duchess would experience a “sinking feeling” by afternoon and would have the servants sneak a pot of tea, a few breadstuffs, and a portion of cake to her room. Soon she began to invite friends to join her for an additional afternoon meal in her room at Belvoir Castle, where they adopted the European tea service format. The menu centered around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets, and, of course, tea.
Led by Event Chair Hope Staples, the YWCO board members prepared and served the traditional meal for the afternoon tea, which began at 2:30 p.m. The guests were served a choice of teas (Mandarin Orange Spice or Earl Grey) followed by a light three-course meal. The first course included three types of sandwiches: cucumber, chicken salad on croissant, and pimento and cheese on sour dough. The second course consisted of a trio of scones: chocolate chip, orange and cranberry, and Marzipan. The third and final course included Berries in the Snow tart, lavender and orange blossom tea cookies, and frosted cupcakes and cinnamon rolls.
From the hum of voices in conversation and the occasional outburst of laughter, it was evident that those attending the annual Christmas tea enjoyed their afternoon.
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