Welcome to the December edition of Tea on Tuesdays,
a celebration of tea on the third Tuesday of every month!
This is a busy week for most everyone, with Christmas preparations or travel plans.
Pam and I are honored you’re here and taking time out of your busy schedule to join us!
You can find Pam’s invitation to tea at the bottom of this post.
Have a seat and relax. . .we’re pouring two teas today for your holiday sipping. . .
English Tea Shop Holiday Blend Tea is a black tea with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom,
nutmeg, pepper, cloves, orange peel, vanilla and apple flavors.
And English Tea Shop Savory Blend Tea. . .
A black tea with roasted barley, orange peel, rosehip, licorice,
vanilla, apple, caramel and pineapple flavors.
What’s your pleasure?
Cardinals have flocked to the table for some Merry Christmas nesting
by the twinkling lights of the tree!
A Cardinal teapot is nesting in my Lynch Creek Farm centerpiece.
I removed the lantern that came with the centerpiece so the
Cardinal is sitting pretty among the fir, cedar, pine, pinecones,
red berries and ornaments of the centerpiece.
He’s joining other cardinals in the form of teapots and a Christmas ornament,
nesting among pinecones and greenery clipped from the trees. . .
Cryptomeria, cedar and magnolia leaves.
A tartan throw provides a warm plaid layer and
tablecloth for some cozy nesting by the tree.
Boughs of holly with berries, deck Mikasa Holiday Tradition plates, cups and saucers.
They’re layered on tartan chargers and wreathed with festive red beaded placemats
to add some sparkle to the table.
Tartan plaid napkin rings marry plaid napkins with a greenery and berry pattern,
while silver and gold are married in flatware with a textured basket-weave design.
Help yourself to some treats to enjoy with your tea. . .
To serve the treats, I made a temporary tiered server using two teacups,
a dinner, salad and bread and butter plate, along with some
museum putty, also known as Quake Hold.
Unlike my DIY 3-Tiered Cake Stand / Server, no plates were harmed
for this teatime server. ;)
Have you used The Collector’s Hold Museum Putty or Quake Hold before?
This is my first time using it and I was amazed at the hold.
It’s recommended for common household surfaces that are
finished, sealed and waterproof, such as glass and china.
While I haven’t used it on anything else yet, it’s also safe for most finished wood surfaces.
Test wood surfaces in an inconspicuous area first before using.
It has the texture of Silly Putty. . . just pinch off some pieces, rolling
them between your fingers, warming them, to make them soft and sticky.
I used five to six small pieces that I rolled into balls and placed around the rim and bottom of two teacups.
Apply firmly to the bottom of your object, placing putty on opposite sides
or around perimeter for secure adhesion.
Press your pieces together, slightly twisting to create a little suction to hold.
For best adhesion, it’s recommended to let it to sit overnight.
When ready to remove the putty, twist slightly while pulling gently.
No plates or cups are harmed and the putty pieces are reusable!
Help yourself to Holiday Petit Fours from the grocery store bakery and Madeleines.
I gave the Madeleines the same treatment as in my Wonderland-inspired Tea Party,
and dressed them up for Christmas with a dip in melted chocolate
and holiday sprinkles.
Cranberry-Pistachio-Orange Peel Fudge
makes for festive little candy squares!
This creamy vanilla fudge is studded with tart dried cranberries,
candied orange peel and salted pistachios.
It comes together in the microwave in 5 minutes; ready
to enjoy or gift with 2 hours of chilling time; recipe, HERE
And it’s not Christmas to me without a Claxton Fruitcake.
My hubby is not a fan of fruitcake, but I think the 2-inch squares are
just the right size to satisfy your fruitcake craving with an afternoon cuppa!
How do you feel about fruitcake?
Fan or not a fan?
Merry Christmas Nesting Table Details:
Cardinal Teapot in centerpiece / Ridgefield Home, HomeGoods
Cardinal Teapot, Old Saint Nicholas Collection, several years ago, similar Amazon
Cardinal on Birch Tree Teapot, Amazon
English Tea Shop Tea & Tartan Plaid Throw / HomeGoods
Tartan Plaid Chargers and Napkin Rings / Williams-Sonoma, several years ago
Plates / Mikasa Holiday Traditions
Red Beaded Placemats / Kohl’s, several years ago
Wallace Gold Accent Corsica Flatware, similar Amazon
Visit Pam for more Christmas tea inspiration:
Pam at Everyday Living
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase anything through an affiliate link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for your visit, sharing with:
Good morning, Mary. What a delightful and charming Christmas tea you have presented! Your cardinal and plaid tablescape is beautiful with the twinkling lights of your tree in the background. Both teas sound delicious, so I will have a cup of both! The cardinal teapot is perfect nesting in your LCF centerpiece. I love seeing the cardinals during the winter as they sit on the bare branches of trees and on the winter rye grass. The Mikasa Holiday Tradition is a lovely pattern and your temporary tiered server is stunning. I must try the museum putty. Pass me the petit fours and the cranberry-pistachio-orange peel fudge, please. I love fruitcake and have been enjoying it for breakfast, definitely a fan. Wishing you a Merry Christmas week ♥️
Thank you Pam, I can see lots of uses for museum putty! It’s always a treat to share a cup of tea with you. Merry Christmas week ❣️🎄
What a beautiful spread! I’ll take that holiday blend for my tea choice (sounds so good!), and enjoy some sweets. And it’s always fun just to spend time taking in all the details on the table. Three cardinal teapots makes a collection, and now you’ve got me wondering where you store all your wares, lol! Love how you centered the one teapot in your LC arrangement. Great idea with the putty in how you made your tiered server! And cryptomeria – pretty! You’ve got me curious on that plant. In your garden? Happy Tuesday, Mary, amd Merry Christmas!
Thank you Rita, the cardinal teapot in the centerpiece was a new find at HomeGoods a few weeks ago. I always can find room to stack a few more plates but storing something so three dimensional does have its challenges. :) The cryptomeria came from my neighbor’s tree with their blessing. They’re huge and can grow 50 to 80 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide. I used some in my Stag wine chiller arrangement. Wishing you a Merry week❣️🎄
What a treat it would be to join you for tea at your cozy table by your tree! I’ll take the Holiday Blend and one of each of your pretty treats! Thank you for sharing museum putty, what a great tip! Merry Christmas Mary 🎄🫖❤️ Jerrie
Thanks so much for your visit and comment Jerrie. Wishing you a Merry Christmas❣️🎄
Just beautiful Mary! You have me dreaming of a Cardinal Christmas now. 🎄
Thank you for your visit and comment Evelyn! Merry Christmas❣️🎄
Thank you for the tea! Also, the fudge recipe! Have a Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Ellen❣️🎄
Mary, Your cardinal atop the LCF centerpiece is so pretty. Your other cardinal teapots are lovely. I adore cardinals and you have a beautiful collection. Your Mikasa plates are so pretty and your tiered plates are genius! Love that it is temporary but sturdy while using it. Everything is so festive and the treats look tasty. Having a cuppa with you is a joy! I like fruitcake but my husband isn’t a fan either. Merry Christmas! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara, you’re always so sweet to comment and visit. 🥰 I hope you’re enjoy your LCF centerpiece. Mine is still fresh enough to enjoy through January if I remove the Christmas red. Wishing a Merry week❣️🎄
Oh, Mary, I am truly enjoying it! It’s beautiful! I spritz it daily with water and I used Crowning Glory on it today. It smells wonderful! I wish the south could grow some of the lush greenery in the arrangement. It’s so soft and feels like a soft carpet when touching it. I light it up daily. It’s a wonderful gift! Thank you so much Mary. Merry Christmas! Clara ❤️
I love cardinals Mary, and your table is so pretty! I haven’t ever heard of Museum Putty, but it’s already in my Amazon cart, it sounds like amazing stuff! Your tea cup tiered tray is adorable, and the treats are almost too pretty to eat! Those teas all sound quite delicious, perfect for chilly afternoons…I’ll pass on the fruitcake and have a piece of your Cranberry Pistachio Fudge instead!
Thank you Jenna! Yes, Museum Putty has lots of uses that I can see. Wishing your Merry week❣️🎄
Mary, your entire tea setting is just beautiful! The flavored teas and sweet treats look most scrumptious. Thanks for sharing how to make the tiered tray. I was just fretting about how I was going to get all the sweets on my dessert buffet for Christmas Eve. This is a wonderful idea! Merry Christmas!❤️🎄❤️
Thanks so much for your visit and sweet comment Shannon! I think you’ll find lots of uses for museum putty/quake hold! Merry Christmas to you and your family❣️🎄
A beautiful table all decked out with lovely sweets and of course the darling cardinals. Your tea tiered temporary stand is so pretty. Thanks for the info on the Museum Putty something new. Love the plate stack with Mikasa’s HolidayTradition. The twinkling lights in the background are so pretty. Merry Christmas Mary.
Thank you Linda! I hope you weren’t shaken up by the earthquake today in California and have power.❣️🎄
Lovely, I noticed that tiered tray before you gave us these instructions. That putty does the job and I think the teacups add to the look. Sweet.
Thanks so much Donna! Wishing you a Merry week❣️🎄
So cute as always! I just love cardinal Christmas decor and so wish that we had the real cardinals here in SoCal! That teaput and teacups are on my Amazon wish list! Merry Christmas Mary!
Thank you Donna, apparently there are a lot of us that love cardinals at Christmas. I hope Santa delivers your wish list :) Merry Christmas❣️🎄
What a lovely table Mary! And Wow! I’m so happy to find out about the Museum putty – what a brilliant way to make your tierd tray – I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for the tip, and Happy Christmas Week!
Thank you Barbara, it’s a great product! Thank you for your visit and Merry Christmas week to you❣️🎄
I noticed quite a few tables capers he was two napkins. How would the guests handle that when they use both of them? I know this is kind of a silly question, but I’m not exactly sure how to handle it if I were a guest or if I was the host. Thank you in advance for your answer.
Hi Kim, I separate the napkins, use one in my lap and put the other back in the napkin ring next to my plate. :) Wishing you a Merry week❣️🎄
Thank you Mary, for all that you do to make all the seasons special…but most especially during Christmas❤
This tea is lovely and your choice of teas to serve are new to me, I’m anxious to try both, but I’m really curious about the tea with barley as an ingredient!
As always, you provide us with such helpful tips. The putty will be so fun to work with, especially with our teacups 💚
I look forward to having tea with you and Pam every month and this Christmas tea was such a delight ❤
Merry Christmas 💚
🎄⭐🎄⭐🎄⭐🎄⭐🎄⭐🎄
Thanks so much Sue, I’m so happy for your visit and comment! We’re happy to have you join us for a virtual cup of tea😊 ☕ Merry Christmas❣️🎄
So pretty! I love tea, so I’ll have a cup of each, and get to stay a little longer around this pretty table. :-) I really like the putty idea, I hate the thought of permanent damage to china pieces but this is a great alternative. That Mikasa china is gorgeous. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I’m raising my hand for a yes to fruitcake, Mary, and I’ll take some of your other beautiful treats, too, with my English Tea Shop tea, please. I have never used that putty, but my oh my, did your tiered stand ever turn out cute. The Mikasa pattern is beautiful. Merry on, Mary! ❤️🎄❤️
Fruitcake lovers unite Kitty! 😊 Wishing you a Merry week and more Christmas fun for you with your grands❣️🎄
Thank you for your visit and comment Joy! The museum putty is a great product. Merry Christmas to you and your family❣️🎄
Happy belated Christmas wishes Mary! I am playing “catch-up” once again as I was visiting my nephew and wife and making merry. Both of the tea’s you presented sound delishous and that fudge totally yummy. I do like fruitcake, if moist, but the small one I purchased at Cracker Barrell this year was dry and disapointing. Love all the cardinal teapots and that speciality puddy is the bomb! You always find and make such great ideas! Thank you for another great holiday post!
What a beautiful setting to enjoy; the china pattern is a perfect classic and although I’m envious my husband might disown me if I acquire another set of china. Who wouldn’t want a tea break with that delicious fudge? I will most certainly try your recipe. Like you, we have multiple sets of decorations for the holidays and I love the red cardinals that make an appearance every other year. I’ve always enjoyed the “earthy” side of decorating mixed in with all the sparkly, crystals. I hope you enjoyed your cozy tea time with the best of friends!
Thank you Betsy, I so appreciate your comments and visits. I hope you’re enjoying a Merry December❣️🎄
Popping in to thank you for this delightful tea experience. I am enamored with your site of creative ideas and generous how-to’s. First time seeing those holly sprinkles (on my list as well as Museum putty) We will be savoring those English Tea Shop blends over the holiday. I join you and Pam in the tartan afficionado category….Interesting how cardinals have become a staple of Christmas design. Thank you for your generosity of spirit.. A blessed Christmastide to you and yours, Mary.
Beautiful as always, never seen a cardinal but always happy when you share yours!
Once again, your cleverness is remarkable. I always have museum putty around because I live in earthquake country, but I never thought to use it in such a creative way. You’ve added another new idea to my table decorating portfolio. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
What a beautiful setting for tea…I LOVE those Christmas-themed teas, perfection!
Hi, was looking at your Tea on Tuesdays post Tartan plaid. Was wondering where to purchase the teas shown? Ellen
Hi, I found the tea at HomeGoods back in October. 🫖