Who Makes A Holiday Special

Listening to my 11- to 17-year-old kids discuss how much better they liked it when Santa came to town, I remember those childhood days. Are holidays more magical when someone else is doing all the baking, decorating and surprising? Then again, there is so much joy in giving, you could see it as a fair trade, the change from child to parent, from guest to hostess. It certainly teaches you to appreciate all the work parents and hosts do during the holidays, to make them special for everyone.

Merry Christmas at The Ginger Room in Alpharetta, Georgia
In Alpharetta, Georgia, The Ginger Room has a Cinderella carriage decorated for Christmas on its back patio, under open-air tent for outdoor winter teas.

These thoughts naturally lead me to issue a heartfelt “Thank You!” to all the tearoom owners and chefs that have been serving holiday teas, starting back in November, many offered into January. (Pssst, check out our U.S. afternoon tea directories to find an afternoon tea wherever your holiday travels take you). We love seeing the creative tea trays coming out of restaurant and home kitchens alike, and recognize all the planning and work that goes into these afternoon tea presentations. Even adult guests feel that Christmas magic when they sit down to a holiday tea.

Advent Teacup Calendar at The Ginger Room in Alpharetta, Ga
Feeling like every tea lover needs one of these advent calendars spotted in The Ginger Room. How clever, using the teacup on shelves to count down to Christmas.

If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our Christmas Tea Party Guide. While the family is together and the house is decorated for the holidays, you don’t necessarily have to host a full afternoon tea. You could pick and choose two or three recipes and serve them with a steaming pot of tea to invite the group to enjoy restful conversation, as a break from the holiday busy-ness. However you celebrate the holidays, we hope you have a healthy, happy season, full of memory-making, joy and peace.

Angela speaking at girl scout Christmas Tea at The Ginger Room in Alpharetta, GA
I joined my niece’s girl scout troop at their Christmas tea at The Ginger Room, sharing a bit about the history and etiquette of tea.
DestinationTea
Tea Voyageuse, discovering the world of afternoon tea, based in Atlanta, Georgia.

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