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St. Nicholas Tea ~ Victorian Christmas Tradition

written by Rebecca E. Parsons

It is St. Nicholas Day. That means it is time for feast and féte here at Angel Wood Cottage. This year the inspiration for my annual St. Nicholas Tea came from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” Ebenezer Scrooge’s final thoughts ring in my ears as I plan the hearty menu, festive tablescape, and even the invitations and decor. 

St. Nicholas Victorian Tea Party Tablescape Centerpiece

The House is all dolled up for the season. Christmas trees are decorated for each room with love. My beloved reindeer are scattered about. You are invited to grab a cup of your favorite tea and join in the festivities from your warm chair. Tea and bubbly are in order for this party.

Quiet Moments with Tea and Bubbly

St.-Nicholas-Tea-bubbly-and-tea

This time is especially calming during the hustle and noise of the holidays. My guests always love the quiet moment together to nibble, sip, and share stories. Tea is, of course, the warming factor. This year I added mimosas to the menu for sparkle.

St.-Nicholas-Tea-tiered-silver-server

The Victorian tea can be held at any time of the year. Just whip up some delightful finger foods, add your favorite teas and some bubbly champagne and you are all set.

St.-Nicholas-Tea-tea-table

VIctorian Tablescape Ideas

The tablescape is joyful and pretty formal this year. I use my ‘good’ silver and the antique Transferware dishes I picked up at an estate sale at the Jekyll Island Club in Georgia a few years ago. I just adore these dishes and can image all the people of the Gilded Age who ate on them.

St.-Nicholas-Tea-place-setting-petti-four
St.-Nicholas-Tea-tablescape-candles

My silver tea service is always on my living room ‘tea’ table. If you know me, you know my affinity for tea…especially Bigelow Tea. It is the only tea I serve.

St.-Nicholas-Tea-silver-tea-service

St.-Nicholas-Tea-room-settings

Even the chairs are decorated with a spring of pine, a festive reindeer, and tasseled ornament. These are for guests to take home.

St.-Nicholas-Tea-chair-decoration-favor

My Beloved Reindeer Collection

Okay. It is apparent that I love reindeer. I collect them and they are displayed year round in my home. This fellow below is a weather vane that always graces my Christmas Eve Dining table. I love his proud demeanor and graceful flying post.

St.-Nicholas-Tea-reindeer-flowers

Victorian-inspired Menu for High Tea
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The center of attention and work horse for this event is my trusty azure blue teapot. It whistles away throughout the party and keeps our cups filled with healthy, flavorful tea.

St.-Nicholas-Tea-Craft-food-on-plate-table

The Food for Victorian High Tea

This year I am doing my version of the traditional high tea with a Victorian vibe. I hope to create a gathering with relaxed formality with the color scheme of silver, red, and green. Food for my three special girlfriends was prepared with love.

St.-Nicholas-Tea-savories

Of course my trusty blue mixer, named Kate, is always at work in my kitchen. I don’t hide Kate away. She anchors my baking center proudly. For this party, she mixed batches of cookies, ground up kale and spinach for quiches, and helped with the pie dough for the bite-sized chicken pot pies.

kitchenaid-mixer-at-work

The Raspberry-White Chocolate scones are ready to bake.

kitchenaid-convection-oven-at-work

And, I even did a craft project or two for this special occasion. I love Washi tape. It has so many uses. Here I covered my sunny yellow bakeware rims to fit into the formal setting. I will include that how to in the cookbook.

St.-Nicholas-Tea-Craft-project

My kitchen was abuzz with preparations. Since this is high tea, there are both savory and sweet treats.

Just a little fun touch to end the féte coverage. I love this vintage reindeer cookie cutter I scored on a roadtrip to West Virginia to visit family.

St.-Nicholas-Tea-reindeer-cookie-cutter

Please share your tea party ideas with me. Wishing you a Happy Christmas and a blessed New Year!!! Say a little prayer for me please!!

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Chief Creative Force

DIYer. Graphic Designer. Creative. Foodie. Rebecca E. Parsons is a Renaissance gal with designers eye living happily where design meets new media. Rebecca is an award-winning graphic designer, writer, storyteller, digital and Photographic Artist, Dreamer, Lifelong Communicator and Blissful Wordsmith. Unconventional and delightfully curious, she is passionate about helping others find their visual voice through great blog design. She believes that every dream is possible and possible is everywhere!

to read a more in-depth story of Rebecca's life journey click here...

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