I’ll tell you what, sometimes we just need to stop and smell the Earl Grey!
Especially during the holiday season. Lots of baking, family get togethers, church activities, decorations, shopping, and more.
Finding QUIET TIME can be really difficult.
Making a habit of taking tea in the afternoon is not only calming – it is refreshing and re-energizing.
It’s the perfect time to sit quietly and reflect – even for only 15 minutes. It’s the perfect time to enjoy reading a book – with or without your children – and to allow your imagination to transport you to some far away land. It’s the perfect time to spend reading God’s Word and reflecting on our faith and what Christmas really means to us.
You don’t need anything fancy to accomplish this.
Freshly Boiled Water. Your favorite tea (mine are PG Tips, a real English Tea, or Buckingham Palace Garden Party from Teaporia). Milk or cream. Your preferred sweetener. 15 minutes of quiet.
You can MAKE it fancy if you’d like – prepare your hot water in a whistling teakettle instead of the microwave. Serve your tea from a beautiful teapot for one, or in your grandmother’s china cup. Use real silver and pressed linens. Light a few candles and play instrumental Christmas music. Eat freshly baked scones or muffins. Use sugar cubes and lemon wedges. Sit at the table instead of lounging in your favorite easy chair.
It’s not about making it fancy, but it is about taking time to slow down and breathe. If dressing it up helps you accomplish this – then by all means – DO IT! And don’t hesitate to include your children (they may enjoy the fancy dressed up atmosphere, too) – maybe invite a friend over and share some freshly baked cookies. Or enjoy the solitude if it’s a rarity for you.
Afternoon tea (or coffee) is like a delightful oasis for the body and soul.
As a matter of fact, yesterday after nap time, my girls and I had “tea time” together. I brewed the tea and poured it into their little plastic princess-themed tea cups. That wasn’t quite enough for my 4 year old. She decided that the tea should come from her coordinating teapot – and proceeded to refill her cup from her teapot as she drank from it. She didn’t spill a DROP. Tea time for her is exciting because she’s a big enough girl to pour out the tea herself from her little tea set! Their princess tea set was a gift from grandma last Christmas, but it just might be time for a new porcelain tea set this year!
If you like children’s teasets – for the month of December, all children’s tea sets at Teaporia are 20% off! What a perfect gift for a daughter, granddaughter, or niece! With butterfly, ladybug, and Madelaine designs (and more) you may find the perfect gift for your favorite little girl! And don’t forget the tea! My children love the fruity flavor of raspberry or pomegranate tea, but their favorite by far is the Bubblegum tea from Teaporia.
I am a Teaporia consultant. Purchase through any one of my links will result in sales commission for me. Read my disclosure policy here.
© 2009 – 2010, Debbie Taylor. All rights reserved.
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