Tea evokes ‘a simpler time’

Residents at Costa Nuporté Elegant Senior Living, a retirement home in Costa Mesa, celebrated Christmas in old-fashioned Victorian style.

On Friday, the home held its fourth annual Christmas Tea Party. It was a once-a-year opportunity for the senior residents to socialize and drink tea from antique cups and pots as they enjoyed homemade pastries.

Celebrating Christmas with a tea party was Vicki Gibbons’ idea. The activities director wanted to start a tradition of an elegant but simple yuletide celebration.

“This brings back a simpler time when you had your tea and enjoyed your homemade goodies,” Gibbons said.

Residents range from 60 to 103 years old. For many at the center, the tea party is their Christmas.

“A lot of the people here don’t have family, and if they have a family, they don’t come,” said Penny Mullens, the center’s administrator. “They dress up and talk about it for weeks.”

The center has about 140 residents who live there full-time. The center accommodates all of the seniors’ needs, from cooking their food to taking them to their doctors’ appointments. The center also takes them out on field trips.

Both Gibbons and Mullens bake pastries for the tea party. They made cakes, brownies and all kinds of sweets, as they’ve done every year. Others who work at the center also bring food for the party, Gibbons said.

Edwina Worsham has been a resident at the center for four years. The 85-year-old couldn’t thank the staff enough for their hard work at making the tea party an event to remember.

“I love it; it’s great,” she said. “It’s all just very nice.”

Eve McKeever echoed Worsham’s sentiment.

“Everyone gets out of their apartments for the party,” said the 90-year-old. “You see people that you don’t see often.”

And no Christmas party is ever complete without music — live music — and an appearance by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.