Northeast Christian Church Christmas Candlelight Tea
Thursday, November 29th and Friday November 30th
Hostess Registration will take place after each weekend service October 6/7 and October 13/14.
Individual Ticket Sales - October 27/28 through November 4
Information, Hostess Registration and Ticket sales located in the main lobby.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
A Hostess Primer
So you may have heard about this annual Women's Christmas Tea that takes place at NECC - but what exactly is it? And what is the role of a hostess?
Good questions!
The Christmas Candlelight Tea is one of the most popular outreach events that Northeast Christian Church hosts annually. This year, the tea will take place on Thursday, November 29th and Friday, November 30th. The event is designed to provide a Christ-centered evening of inspiration, love and laughter for the women of Northeast, and their family, friends, co-workers and neighbors.
Here is the schedule for the evening:
5:30 - 7:00 View decorated tables and shop at the Holiday Bazaar
7:00 - 7:30 Tea and Dessert
7:30 - 7:45 Ornament Exchange
7:45 - 8:00 Move to Auditorium
8:15 - 9:15 Program & Speaker
The role of hostess involves decorating a table and providing the dessert for yourself and seven guests. Decorations can be as simple or elaborate as you wish - your style and personality should be your guide. You'll see everything from paper plates and disposable utensils to fine china and silver. Dessert ranges from a favorite store or bakery creation to homemade treats. That's part of the fun and diversity of the event - experiencing all of the different designs, decorating and tastes!
Each night, there are approximately 75 tables located in the gym, chapel and lower level. The most important job for the hostess is helping to make each of the guests at her table comfortable. Men volunteer as servers and bring you coffee and tea as you need it so you won't have to get up and leave your table.
Each of your guests will bring a wrapped Christmas ornament for an exchange that takes place after dessert has been served and before everyone is dismissed to the auditorium for the evening's program.
Hostesses can purchase the tickets to her own table for $10.00 each. The hostess' seat is free and there are seven other seats available to purchase. Tickets are always in high demand and only available when hostessess leave some seats at their table(s) open to guests who wish to purchase a ticket.
Hostess Training is designed for anyone who has not hosted a table before. Lots of tips, recommendations and details are available both at the training session and from the volunteer Christmas Tea leadership team. Feel free to ask!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Interview With A First Time Hostess
We got together with Amy who hosted a table both nights at the Christmas Tea last year. She had never hosted before, so we asked her about her experience.
Tea Team: Had you ever attended the Christmas Tea at NECC before you hosted a table last year?
Amy: No, I had never been before. I thought about hostessing, but I felt a little intimidated. I talked to a few people and saw a couple of pictures from previous teas and that helped to dispel some fear.
Tea Team: Describe your table and the food you served.
Amy: I rented a red table cloth - it was very reasonable - $11 for three or four days - It was cheaper than buying one. The big round ones are expensive! And I can change my color theme from year to year! I wanted my table to reflect candle light so I placed little round mirrors around my table with various clear candle holders - it made the candle light dance around the table. The first center piece I made was way too tall. (I learned this after attending the hostess training meeting.) You wouldn't be able to see the people on the other side. So I dismantled it and made another from things I already had around my house. I used Christmas ornaments to help reflect the candle light. Then I set out to plan my food. I served light pumpkin muffins, nuts, a cheese "mold" with crackers and magic bars. Believe it or not, not many ate the sweets, they ate more of the muffins and cheese. I kept it extremely simple because I work full time and I could make the food ahead. I planned to make enough to serve both nights.
Tea Team: Were you nervous about hosting before you did it?
Amy: Oh my gosh! I was soooo nervous! Excited, yet nervous - I wanted the ladies to have a wonderful evening and for everything to go smoothly at my table. After my first guests arrived and were so gracious, I was able to relax and have fun.
Tea Team: Did you know the people who sat at your table?
Amy: I did not know anyone at my tables - I had asked what the most important need was and the Tea Coordinator, Michelle said seats - seats that she could sell tickets for. So that is what I did! I hosted one table each night and really enjoyed meeting the ladies at my table.
Tea Team: Why are you going to do it again this year?
Amy: I had such a great time last year! I really love the Christmas season and decorating and it feels good to give something of myself to people I don't know. And now that I've done it once, I know this is something that I can do without a problem. (Even working full time with two young kids!)
Tea Team: Do you have any advice for someone considering hosting for the first time?
Amy: Talk with a hostess who has done it before, she can help dissolve the fears of the unknown! Talk to the ladies behind the counter at church - they can give you ideas, decorating help and even time management tips. Or, you and a friend could co-host a table and do it together. That way, you'll have a friend with you sharing the hostessing duties.
Tea Team: What was your favorite part about hostessing?
Amy: Knowing that the ladies at my table had a wonderful kick-off to the Christmas season - all because of a few ladies and gents at Northeast and a little baby named Jesus! Oh, and I liked the decorating part too!
Tea Team: Had you ever attended the Christmas Tea at NECC before you hosted a table last year?
Amy: No, I had never been before. I thought about hostessing, but I felt a little intimidated. I talked to a few people and saw a couple of pictures from previous teas and that helped to dispel some fear.
Tea Team: Describe your table and the food you served.
Amy: I rented a red table cloth - it was very reasonable - $11 for three or four days - It was cheaper than buying one. The big round ones are expensive! And I can change my color theme from year to year! I wanted my table to reflect candle light so I placed little round mirrors around my table with various clear candle holders - it made the candle light dance around the table. The first center piece I made was way too tall. (I learned this after attending the hostess training meeting.) You wouldn't be able to see the people on the other side. So I dismantled it and made another from things I already had around my house. I used Christmas ornaments to help reflect the candle light. Then I set out to plan my food. I served light pumpkin muffins, nuts, a cheese "mold" with crackers and magic bars. Believe it or not, not many ate the sweets, they ate more of the muffins and cheese. I kept it extremely simple because I work full time and I could make the food ahead. I planned to make enough to serve both nights.
Tea Team: Were you nervous about hosting before you did it?
Amy: Oh my gosh! I was soooo nervous! Excited, yet nervous - I wanted the ladies to have a wonderful evening and for everything to go smoothly at my table. After my first guests arrived and were so gracious, I was able to relax and have fun.
Tea Team: Did you know the people who sat at your table?
Amy: I did not know anyone at my tables - I had asked what the most important need was and the Tea Coordinator, Michelle said seats - seats that she could sell tickets for. So that is what I did! I hosted one table each night and really enjoyed meeting the ladies at my table.
Tea Team: Why are you going to do it again this year?
Amy: I had such a great time last year! I really love the Christmas season and decorating and it feels good to give something of myself to people I don't know. And now that I've done it once, I know this is something that I can do without a problem. (Even working full time with two young kids!)
Tea Team: Do you have any advice for someone considering hosting for the first time?
Amy: Talk with a hostess who has done it before, she can help dissolve the fears of the unknown! Talk to the ladies behind the counter at church - they can give you ideas, decorating help and even time management tips. Or, you and a friend could co-host a table and do it together. That way, you'll have a friend with you sharing the hostessing duties.
Tea Team: What was your favorite part about hostessing?
Amy: Knowing that the ladies at my table had a wonderful kick-off to the Christmas season - all because of a few ladies and gents at Northeast and a little baby named Jesus! Oh, and I liked the decorating part too!
Friday, September 14, 2007
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