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| With Christmas less than a week away, there's still time to shop for your tea enthusiast! |
With less than a week away until Christmas, there's little shopping time left - but that doesn't mean one is without options! BTS is here for some last minute suggestions for gifts sure to delight the tea enthusiast in your life. And, in keeping with our signature "steeper by the dozen" theme, here are our top twelve recommendations.
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| Bring Townsend's afternoon tea home (Edwardian dresses optional) |
1. Townsend Hotel's tea-to-go! We're all missing those sumptuous afternoon teas in the beautiful tea lobby of Birmingham's Townsend Hotel. But, the next best thing until we can once again cozy up near the fireplace under the dazzling crystal chandelier and receive the best service around town, is to bring the tea treats home to enjoy. The carry-out afternoon tea menu includes tea packets, scones, tea sandwiches and Townsend's amazing pastries. Edwardian tea dress attire optional! (Note, advance notice is required, click the link for more information).
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| Tea bag holders from Leon and Lulu. Send a message with this practical item! |
2. Tea bag holders with a message from Leon and Lulu's in Clawson. Proper afternoon tea etiquette directs one to have a proper resting place for the used tea bag - pithy commentary not required, but we are thoroughly amused. Shown above, two of our favorites.
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| If tea IS your daytime wine, try Adagio's elderberry wine tea |
3. Wine tea from Adagio tea. If tea is truly one's daytime wine, why not make it official with elderberry wine tea from Adagio? This full body tisane is not only free of alcohol, but caffeine as well. A great choice for your daytime beverage.
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| The Office Downton Abbey Christmas Cookbook available now at Barnes and Noble |
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| Also available at Barnes and Noble: teacup note cards |
5. Teacup note cards at Barnes and Noble, while you are there! One can never have enough impressive stationary and this teacup note card set is just what your corresponding tea enthusiast would love.
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| Lemon curd and other preserves from Harry & David |
6. Harry and David's lemon curd (and more!). A perfect accompaniment to the afternoon tea scone is lemon curd and we found a delicious jar of it from Harry and David. Lemon curd makes every scone taste like a citrus-y dessert. Currently the Harry and David's website shows lemon curd as part of a "Premium Preserves and Butter Box" which also includes strawberry preserves, marmalade and cherry butter . It won't be ready for delivery until the end of January, but your gift recipient won't mind the wait.
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| Subscription to TeaTime Magazine |
7. TeaTime Magazine subscription. BTS' favorite publication and several times gifted (we follow our own advice!) This is a MUST for tea fans and/or those who love travel, tablescapes and tasty treat recipes. Beautiful photographs and well written articles provide inspiration throughout the year.
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| BTS's Steeper by the Dozen book series |
8. BTS Books. Michigan Tea Rooms Twelve Etiquette Essentials These books are both available on Amazon and are part of Barb's Tea Service's "Steeper by the Dozen" series. These may arrive a bit after Christmas, but if you're local, we can deliver!
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| The Child green tea |
9. Star Wars-inspired tea The Child from The Republic of Tea: What kind of tea is this? Green of course. Like Kermit, The Child knows it's not easy being green, but adorable nonetheless. For those who like to pair their tea with The Mandalorian, this is sure to please!
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| Home baked tea-infused goodies are always welcomed. Match doughnuts or Earl grey cookies |
10. Homemade tea-infused cookies and doughnuts. Who doesn't love a tin of home-baked goodies for some holiday indulgence? My daughter, Rachel, has been working the KitchenAid every day this month and we've been one of the beneficiaries of her craft. She whipped up more of her matcha doughnuts and (pictured above) earl grey infused cookies.
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| Barb's Tea Service now offers Zoom tea events. Guest can be together no matter where they reside! |
11. Zoom Tea Event from BTS!! This year has been a challenge, but we're all getting creative in how to work around quarantine conditions. With the aid of technology, we at BTS have not only participated in Zoom tea events, but just this month, started our own Zoom Afternoon Tea presentations. Many of our programs can be adapted for on-line access and, extra bonus, your party doesn't have to be all in one local. If interested in exploring more, contact us a barb@barbsteashop.com.
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| Schedule a Zoom game night where everyone's a winner! |
12. Zoom event/game night/tea and snacks Speaking of Zoom, there's another great gift idea - one of little cost, but for time (except on-line game subscription) - my all-time favorite, Zoom game night!! Bring your favorite drink (ours is herbal tea!) and treats. Thanks to daughter and son-in-law, Sean, who host our weekly game night, they kick it off every Sunday by sending a link to all of the family. We log on from wherever we are - northern Michigan, NYC, D.C. or Detroit suburbs - to catch up on the latest news and then, through our smartphones, engage in a variety of games courtesy JackBox. The most popular game in our circle is Quiplash where players must come up with snappy answers to silly questions in ninety seconds. Easy? - no. Hilarious - yes! We've scheduled our next "game night" for Christmas day where we'll all compete for the most points, but when the family gets together for face-time with lots of laughs, everyone's a winner!
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| Zoom game nights pair nicely with tea and snacks! |
BTS wishes you all a happy holiday season!!
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