Christmas Tea

Christmas tea time and the cakes all done.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

 

 

 

 

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a hamster.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on,  Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

 

The Christmas Ball (continues)

Joyous laughter fills the air as the children play pass the parcel and musical chairs. The music stops as sleigh bells can be heard  outside. Squeals of excitement as the children rush to the windows, and sure enough Father Christmas has arrived on his sleigh with a sack full of toys.

Families and children crowd around to see what he has.

 

 

 

 

After all the excitement the children make their way up the winding staircase to the nursery to play with their toys and then have a nap.

 

The parents and other guests enjoy a lavish buffet, such tasty food and drink and a chance to talk to old friends and make new ones. Then the dancing begins.

 

Cora is looking particularly lovely this evening in a gold satin dress, she has a full dance card and many a handsome hamster is waiting his turn to dance with her. The newly married couple are here but only have eyes for each other. The dance floor is full of very enthusiastic dancers. determined to make the most of this wonderful evening.

 

 

Lord Edwin and Lady Esther seen here at the front of the dance floor are starting off The Scottish Reel. The band entertains the gathering all evening playing the most popular dance tunes.

The night draws to a close as the clock strikes twelve. There are some very weary hamsters making their way home, they have had a wonderful night at The Hall and will remember it for many years.







 

The Christmas Ball

The evening is cold and bright with a starry sky, a layer of snow is on the ground and music can be heard coming from Huntingdon Hall as the guests arrive.

The maids are in the entrance hall taking coats, hats and ladies wraps, the butler is standing in the main doorway to the ballroom announcing the arrival of each guest, then they go on to greet their hosts Lord Edwin and Lady Esther.

A waiter is on hand to offer them a glass of mulled or rose hip wine then on to greet friends and old aquaintances, while the band on a raised dias at the front of the hall plays on.


The arrival of The Lord Mayor with his wife and daughter
 



Clarence is next, greeting old friends as he enters the hall.

 



The festivities have begun.

 

Preparations for The Christmas Ball

Only a couple of days to go till the Christmas Ball at Huntington Hall.

The outdoor staff have been busy placing lanterns on poles either side of the driveway to light  the way for the carriages to the front door. The drivers will be sent to the kitchen for a glass or two of warming mulled wine and no doubt some hearty pies to eat.

Everyone is running around with holly, ivy and mistletoe to decorate the entrance and ballroom itself. The gamekeeper and his boys had the job of cutting it from the woods, their final task was to bring in the yule log for the fire.

The staircase is swathed in ribbons and bows and large bunches of red berries. and ballroom mirrors shine to perfection reflecting the garlands about the room.

The stone fireplace with it`s roaring log fire has been swept and made ready with a huge basket of logs to be placed appropriately, ready for the arrival of the huge yule log which is to be placed on top.

 The maids have been cleaning and polishing for days and are laying the buffet table with a long snowy white tablecloth. the candelabra`s are polished and gleaming and placed at intervals along the length of the table.

The Butler is making sure the footman are setting out the silver cutlery and glasses correctly and ordering some flowers from the hall`s extensive conservatory to decorate the table.

Cook has been preparing for days, getting in a good stock of fruit and vegetables and flour and lard for the pies, the kitchen under maid has been peeling vegetables for days and will be glad when it is all over, but of course the most delicate of desserts and sweets and syllabubs can only be made the day before and stored in the cool pantry or ice house in the garden. So it looks like cook and her staff will be working very late for the next few nights.

Lord Edwin and Lady Esther will be entertaining some of their friends from London who will be staying for the Festive Holiday so rooms have to be made ready with clean linen and freshly picked flowers and a  fire in each room to air them.

Lord Edwin has left instruction with the butler that some of his vintage port is to be brought up from the cellar for this occasion.

All is now ready.