One of the most relaxing ways to spend an afternoon over the Christmas holiday season is with an afternoon tea.  As someone who loves to bake, I always seem to “over-do” it on the baking front at Christmas!

Living on an Island on Canada’s East Coast, we have ready access to lobster.  I maintain there is no comparison to our fine quality lobster that comes out of the cold Atlantic waters.  Lobster at Christmas is one of our traditions.  This year, the prices have been particularly good for consumers (CD$4.99/lb, uncooked; $5.99/lb, cooked) but not so much for the lobster fishers.  Naturally, I chose lobster sandwiches for my holiday tea!

The filling for the lobster sandwiches was nothing more than the lobster, finely chopped celery, mayonnaise, a squirt or two of lemon juice, and a bit of Dijon mustard.  I don’t like to add any ingredients that will detract from the fresh taste of the lobster itself.

I served locally-made Eggnog from Charlottetown’s Purity Dairy.  With a sprinkle of nutmeg, this seasonal beverage was very tasty!  And, of course, freshly brewed tea served in my newly-acquired Sadler Christmas teapot and matching cups and saucers, rounded out the beverage menu.

I also included my new miniature teaspoons adorned with little teapots.

In addition to my fruit cake, I always try to ensure my Christmas baking includes a mix of squares, cookies, balls, and shortbread.  I also try to ensure a mix of colors and textures on my sweet trays.  Yes, I know that the traditional way to serve is to have the sandwiches on the bottom tier and the sweet treats on the top tier.  However, as you can see, I had lots of different varieties of sweets so needed the bigger plate for them given my tea table was small and had limited room for additional trays!  Therefore, I reversed what is served on the two trays of the server.

I shaped the macaroons into miniature tree shapes and presented them on their own separate tray.

My tea table is not large so I chose a small floral centerpiece of red and white miniature carnations mixed with seasonal greenery and accented with frothy baby’s breath.

I love winter afternoon teas by the fireplace!

These tea plates are new this year, too.

Must eat these up before they melt by the fire!

I hope you take some well-earned relaxation time over this holiday season and that a nice cuppa tea with some delectable sweet treats are part of your celebration.

Best wishes for a wonderful new year!

Barbara

I will be sharing this posting with Sandi at her Tea Time Tuesday event at Rose Chintz Cottage.