As I sit here today typing this I have a dear friend not only getting a new home but relocating to a new state to be closer to her family, I have thought about what to give her for a house warming gift and I can’t think of anything better than a tea pot.
As you start a new home the passing of a tea pot not only gives the memory of your friendship but also a way to create new friendships. You can easily turn a kettle and couple of cups into a full-blown celebration and invitation to find new friends and make new memories as well as remembering those that are and were closest to you.
I have my grandmothers tea cups and tea-pot and it reminds me so much of her heritage. As I look back on her life and mine I can see so clearly what she really gave me. She taught me the practical skills of running a home-preparing meals, washing clothes, cleaning toilets (and teapots). She passed on her love of fine fabrics and beautiful things, later taught me the basics of business.
I believe it is up to us to pass on the legacy and memory of Afternoon tea along the generations that follow. Sharing tea with children and friends is just one more tangible way of offering the gift of our time and our undivided attention, to sharing ourselves and passing on memories together.
Remember it’s not about the tea it’s the spirit of the tea party, even people who don’t drink tea can fill their cups and enjoy a tea party.