TEA FOR TWO AT CHRISTMAS

Friends are so critically important to our lives and in our lives.  They are like oxygen for living.   This particular Christmas season, I wanted to give a dear friend a very personal and unique gift.   This gift didn’t require wrapping paper, or an expensive bow.   But I hope my friend’s heart embraced the ambience of love and care in its presentation.

I think I remember telling her that I was inviting her to a Christmas Tea Party.   What I didn’t share with her was that she was my “only guest.”   Planning went into this party as though there would be many guests, but it was especially prepared for just one.

I don’t know about you, but in the hustle of the holidays, I can’t always recall every get-together or social outing.   But this upcoming party would be held in remembrance for all of my life.   It’s not the only one of this kind I’ve hosted, but it was my first.

The preparations began in my heart through the idea that God gave me.   This gal was soft-spoken and kind the moment I met her.   She introduced herself to me at church one Sunday morning when I was new, and I’m so grateful for her sensitivity to me when I was a newcomer in the area.   Her sweet disposition endeared me to her and she made me feel so welcome.

Over the years we have done many funny things together, at her home and in mine.   But this day was for her honor and pleasure.

The location of this party was held in our living room, by the fireplace.    We had placed a small tree in the corner of the room, and next to it were two wing-backed chairs with a table in between.    This setting was going to host my friend for the entire morning.

Preparations were created ahead of time for a simple “high tea” that I knew would bring satisfaction to my friend’s appetite and pleasure.

I had made some tea sandwiches, scones with jam, and Earl Gray tea.   All of these delights were placed on the coffee table in our living room awaiting her arrival.

All morning I was anticipating her presence and to surprise her as my ‘honored guest.’   When the doorbell rang, I couldn’t wait to open the door and see her smile and look of surprise at the tea party, awaiting her arrival.

As I recall, I don’t think I even gave her a “physical” Christmas gift.  I’ll need to ask her about that after writing this story.   She was escorted to the chair by myself and our little dog Heidi.   The tea pot was steaming hot as I presented it.  The aroma of the fragrance of “Earl Gray” filtered the air.

After positioning ourselves near the fireplace and giving thanks to the Lord for the food and our friendship, we began our “high tea” dining experience.   We ate, and ate, and ate for what seemed like hours.   The teapot was extremely active that morning with refill after refill of hot water and fresh tea.  

Throughout the morning we shared memories, laughter and many cups of tea together.  I wanted my friend to know that she was a “gift to my life.”  

She fondly remembers, that for a moment, toward the end of our time together, a tea sandwich disappeared, as though in mid-air.   Our little dog had been yearning to partaking of one of those tea sandwiches and she did!   This little thief wrapped up the party for sure, but we were filled with laughter and our stomachs extended with tea and sandwiches.

My friend and I still reflect on our Christmas tea party, just the two of us.   We were able to focus on God’s goodness to each of us, and the real “Reason for the Season…..Jesus Christ entering our world.”

I think the reason we both remember this time together is because it wasn’t filled with lots of people.    This gave me the opportunity to focus on just her.   Time, just with her, was “the gift.”

I’m planning on other tea parties like this one, and I hope you do too.

 Who is it that you would like to “gift” with a tea party in

“their honor?”