A Little Christmas for Tea Time Tuesday

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

Welcome to Tea Time Tuesday, friends, and  Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!I would like to wish all my Jewish friends a Happy Hanukkah as well! May your holiday be beautiful and bountiful as you celebrate this week!

One month from today is Christmas Day, can you believe that? So, to start the season off, I'm sharing a little bit of Christmas for tea today.

The teapot was a Christmas gift from my son and DIL last year. It is made by Ganz and I thought it was the perfect companion to my new Christmas mugs.

The mugs are made by Spode and I found them in Vancouver last year when Hubby and I spent the holidays with our middle son and his family.

The best part; I got them after Christmas for half price! There are four of them but I will use two today. One for you and one for me.

They are each decked out with a Christmas tree on the front and a rich forest green band around the rim.

On the back is a sprig of holly and inside is some  mistletoe.



FYI:
A Little Bit of Mistletoe Folklore which I found on the Internet~

Mistletoe was a plant of peace in antiquity. If enemies met by chance beneath it in a forest, they laid down their arms and maintained a truce until the next day. This is thought to be the origin of the ancient custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging kisses under it as a sign of friendship and goodwill.

According to the Anglo-Saxons, kissing under the mistletoe was connected to the legend of Freya, goddess of love, beauty and fertility. According to legend, a man had to kiss any young girl who, without realizing it, found herself accidentally under a sprig of mistletoe hanging from the ceiling.

If a couple in love exchanges a kiss under the mistletoe, it is interpreted as a promise to marry, as well as a prediction of happiness and long life. In France, the custom linked to mistletoe was reserved for New Year's Day: "Au gui l'An neuf" (Mistletoe for the New Year).
 

These mugs are so festive and very comfortable to hold. They're wonderful for hot drinks like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or hot apple cider.

"The tea party is a spa for the soul.
You leave your cares and work behind." ~Alexandra Stoddard

My table topper is a crocheted one which was a gift from a friend years ago. I like it this time of year because it resembles snowflakes.

I put fairy lights on this little tree and tucked it into a mercury glass hurricane candle lamp.

I like the soft glow from the lights I placed inside.

..."Perhaps that is the true gift of a teatime celebration: It fills our cups with joy and warmth and friendship. May the echo of the teacup's message be heard not only at Christmas, not only on special occasions, but anytime friends come together." ~ Emilie Barnes

For our tea I have made Cranberry Squares.


These are much the same as date squares only made with cranberries instead and they are very tasty! I make these only at this time of year.

I will share the recipe at my HOME party on Wednesday.

Coming up, I will be hosting a Celebrate the Season ...Christmas Tea on Monday, December 9 and every Monday until December 23.

Here's my button if you wish to use it.

Each week, you are invited to come and join me for some Christmas tea, goodies, and conversation about this beautiful holiday which is upon us.
I welcome all your Christmas goodies, as well as pretty tea things, and any fond childhood memories you may wish to share with us.

Remember that you are welcome to share egg nog, hot chocolate, hot apple cider, coffee, or punch in a lovely bowl instead of tea if you wish. I hope you will make plans to join me often.

"Somehow not only for Christmas
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others
Is the joy that comes back to you.

And the more you spend in blessing
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing
Returns to make you glad." ~ John Greenleaf Whittier

I am joining the following parties as well~

A Return to Loveliness ~ http://www.adelightsomelife.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ http://www.antiquesandteacups.info/
Friends Sharing Tea~ http://blog.bernideens.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi