“Holiday time” means tea party time this Christmas season on Fort Bragg. The inaugural Christmas Tea Party at Iron Mike Conference Center, 2658 Reilly Rd., is scheduled for Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The new event combines tea, treats and time with friends and family to spread holiday cheer from the tea cups to the party sandwiches. The Christmas Tea Party is open to the public, with prices $30 for adults and $15 for children, ages 12 and under. Registration ends Dec. 5.

This isn’t your little girl’s tea party, though it can be, if desired. The inclusive event is open to all ages and both military and civilian guests. Iron Mike Conference Center Business Manager Cynthia Kauth encourages everyone to come out to get in the Christmas spirit.

“The Christmas Tea Party will be a fun, friendly environment where you can bring your family or your best friends and have a relaxing, good time,” she said. Kauth hopes the holiday happening will also serve as a morale booster.

“Things are kind of tough right now for a lot of people, so we hope providing an outlet to be able just to come relax and have a silly time might make things better, at least for someone,” she said.

Fun, games and shenanigans are sure to get this party started. Tea bag toss, tea cup treasure hunt and musical chairs are some ideas Kauth and the event staff have brewing. A DIY ornament craft at each place setting creates interaction and an instant take-home souvenir perfect for this year’s tree. 

Featuring sweet and savory finger foods, pastries and desserts, the tea party menu highlights the day. Egg salad, chicken salad, vegetarian Caprese tea sandwiches, cheese puffs, fruit scones with cream, petit fours, meringue and lemon drop mini cupcakes will make the old visions of sugar plums routine very passé.

Tabletop beverages include an array of hot tea choices—lemon, orange, pekoe, black tea, chamomile, mint and lavender—plus lemonade and water. The food and beverage selections will be prepared by the Iron Mike Conference Center catering staff, a full-service caterer available for weddings, graduations, birthday parties, military/FRG functions, corporate parties, job fairs, conferences, anniversaries, bridal and baby showers and

more. The center is open to the public for private events.

The day’s attire can be whatever each guest’s tea party ideal experience includes, whether that means dressing down casually or dressing up tea-party style. And for those who find the Christmas-themed event their cup of tea, the Iron Mike Conference Center will host a sequel tea party event this coming spring. Make all your memories merry at Iron Mike Conference Center! Register in person at the center for this and all events, or call