TEA-riffic Tips…
October 5, 2008
Ever wanted to give tea a try? Well, today, I want to help make it DOABLE. Actually I want to encourage you to make tea a tradition in your home. This is an excerpt from my book A CUP OF TEA (I am revamping it and getting it ready to be published as an ebook–look for it in the near future!). Let me take you by the hand and help you get started making memories over tea…
Sold! Convinced! That settles it…you are ready to join the ranks of tea pals! Only one problem is pounding away…you just do not have ANY idea of where to begin. Beloved, this is EXACTLY why I have compiled this book. You CAN begin right where you are. If you need a little help, let me give you a few of my ideas and tips…
Be SIMPLE!
Tea does not have to be STUFFY! Tea does not have to be FORMAL! Use what you have on hand. Begin where you are. You don’t have to be able to recite facts and trivia about tea and etiquette to DEVOUR the passion of tea. Make your tea time a sweet tradition or ritual. It may be just afternoon tea after the little ones are tucked into bed for their afternoon nap. It may be a morning tea time (Oh, you CAN have coke in your cup while you take that morning quiet time!). It might be a quiet moment before bed as you settle your mind. It might be the whole family snuggled up with tea, cocoa, and goodies while you read aloud another chapter of the Bible and a chapter from a great read aloud! Just bring tea home with YOUR very own style!
Build Your Very Own Collection of Tea Goodies!
You can find tea goodies just about anywhere! Take a look for the quaint goodies at yard sales, antique stores, auctions, flea markets, while traveling, at dime stores, gift shops, online…so on! Oh! You may want to take an inventory of what you already have tucked away in your cabinets. I am amazed at the little dishes, doilies, baskets, and other treasures that I had tucked away with no purpose in mind for them. Tea time is the perfect time to bring them out. OH! And they do not have to match either! The most precious tea parties I have attended, whether formal or friend-to-friend, did not have one thing that “matched.” I am ever amazed at how each piece seemed perfectly “in place” and perfect for the occasion.
Begin a Tradition by Giving “Tea” Gifts!
Tea collectibles make perfect gifts for any occasion whether birthdays or holidays or just a little thank you. In fact, my favorite tea “goodies” have a sweet memory of dear friends! You can give anything from teacups to teapots, from silver spoons to cookie cutters, from recipe books (with YOUR favorites already written inside!) to tea jewelry, so on! My favorite way to give tea collectibles is to make a “Tea Basket” for those I love. I fill it with goodies that they can keep AND goodies that they can eat/drink over their Tea Time!
NO Tea Room in Your Area? What About YOUR Home???
You are certain to have a perfect spot in your home for tea. What about a drawing room? A living room? Your front porch? A gazebo? Your deck? The Garden? Fireside? Outside by a big shade tree? At the local park (for a Picnic Tea?) Your bedroom? Your study? Around the kitchen table?
Get Your Little Ones Involved!
There is truly no greater place for children to learn the fine art of tea than at their mother’s knee. From their toddling years, they can learn the etiquette and hospitality of tea as naturally as learning to eat. If your children are like my children, they will develop a passion for the art of tea.
How can you encourage that passion? Allow your children to help prepare for tea time. They can help to prepare the tea (instructions included on page 43–ALSO FOUND HERE: CLICK HERE) They can help to prepare the dainties. They can help to select the teacups and linens. They can even help get the classical music going and to get the latest read aloud out. The key is to use your very best for your children—they are your very BEST friends! If it is hard for them to handle your great big teacups, then you may want to get a miniature tea set that is perfect for their little hands and tummies!
Don’t forget that tea is the perfect time to bring beauty into your home. Share a great poem…a beautiful art print…a lesson on etiquette…or a chapter from your favorite read aloud!
A Tea Time Blessing
UnknownLord, grant that our times
Together be steeped in serenity,
Sweetened by sharing,
And surrounded by the warm
Fragrance of your love.
Amen
Thanks, Cindy! I really want to incorporate a weekly tea time for me and my littles to enjoy some snuggle time with tea or hot chocolate and a good book. This reminds me to bring this idea from the back of my mind to the top of the list when we get back from vacation next week!