My oldest friend, Alexis, always sends me the most thoughtful gifts for Christmas and my birthday. She also always mails me fantastic books after she is done reading them. I have made some cute gifts on my blog, but I always thought that the gifts I gave Alexis were not as thoughtful as the ones she sent me.
Since I had a cute idea and some extra time, I made her a ” Tea Party in a box for her birthday! I know it’s not a competition between us for who sends the most creative presents. But her friendship is a gift, and I wanted to show her that.
This ” Tea Party in a box” was being sent from my home in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Washington, DC, where Alexis currently calls her home.
Alexis gave me a copy of “Jane Eyre” for Christmas this past year. I enjoyed “Jane Eyre.” I also love most Jane Austen novels. I am sure everyone who loves English literature needs a proper tea cup and saucer. I found this “old school” tea cup and saucer at a local second-hand shop.
Any ” Tea party in a box” should always include an ” old school” teacup.
Alexis is a huge fan of herbal tea. This is not precisely the tea Queen Victoria drank back in the 1800s when she started the English tradition of ” High tea.” But, of course, I included the type of tea Alexis would enjoy.
I cut open each tea bag, took out the tea string, and taped on ” Tea quotes.” I then taped up the tea bag again, so the aroma’s from the different kinds of tea wouldn’t mix.
Alexis’s birthday was in mid-May, and I believe she liked her gift. I have many family members who consider themselves ” Austenites.” So, this won’t be the last time I will make a ” Tea Party in a box.”
Just a few notes as this blog post comes to a close.
1) I wrapped up the teacup in the newspaper before sending it through the mail. I did not want it to break.
2) Alexis is my oldest friend. We are both 29 years old and started playing together at two.
25 comments
Love this! My great-granddaughter (4 years old) loves having tea parties. Unfortunately she lives far away from me. I have some small demitasse tea cups with matching plates, teacup spoons, fancy napkins, Table Manner Place Mat and of course tea (sugar cubes) and cookies! I’m going to put something together and mail to her! I did tea parties for little girls for 15 years.
This is super cute. I am pretty sure I will make one for my bestie. My daughter lives in Albia, Iowa.
[…] you about my dearest friend Alexis? I believe I did a little when I was telling you about the Tea party in a box I made her. Well Alexis and I are both going to be 30 this next year, and we have been friends […]
I love the idea, but since I'm not a tea aficionado, I need to ask what the cotton tea bags are used for…loose tea, perhaps? I would add a lovely cloth napkin, a pretty silver spoon & a cozy mystery!
A superb notion. Any thoughts on where one could secure a PDF of tea quotes? Thank you for your hospitality prowess.
I believe when looking for tea quotes. I entered ” tea quotes” in the search bar on Pinterest. Also found some on thequotegarden.com
Wow ,such a great idea….I love tea and my girlfriends also,so I will keep this one as an idea for just a nice gift one day for one of them!
greats
Angeline
http://www.mijnplekkie.tk
A lovely idea!!, thanks, Mª José
What a fantastic idea!!!! A real tea lover's treat!
Cheers from down under
Linda
I have been enjoying my tea very much! Thanks!
This is so cute! The vintage cup was a beautiful find 😀 Such a thoughtful present!
Such a sweet and personal gift idea!
This is such a lovely idea!
Gifts with a theme and a sentimental one at that are the most welcome. You nailed it with this. What a lot of thought you put into it. Thanks for sharing the idea. Found you at My Girlish Whims. Hope you'll stop and visit at Quirky Vistas.
Liz
What a thoughtful gift that says you cared enough to take the time and gave it some real thought.
I was surprised to read that you are from Ottumwa. My parents grew up there and graduated from OHS. I still have an aunt there that I got together with on Friday. Sounds like you had quite a wind storm that came through there on Saturday. Hope you didn't suffer any property damage.
p
A thoughtful gift indeed! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your sweet comment. Love to have you again!
This is such a sweet gift idea!
Visiting from etcetorize.
PS – I'm hosting my 1st giveaway this week…please stop by and enter!
http://makingitfeellikehome.blogspot.com/2012/06/giveaway.html
Such a lovely gift. I've been thinking of personalizing some tea bags and now you've inspired me to just get on with it and make it happen! So glad you linked up at Etcetorize this week!
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
What precious gift. I know your friend would love it. I think my sister-in-law would love something like this! Would be super delighted for you to link up with us over at Mop It Up Mondays: http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/06/mop-it-up-mondays-21-with-give-away.html
{HUGS},
kristi
This is so clever!! I am pinning this so I can remember it to send to a dear friend for her birthday.
Such a sweet idea. I really love the little sayings that you added to the tea bag tags!
So awesome! I would love to get a box like that, in summer it could be an iced tea box!
This really is one of the sweetest things I've ever seen…. Good idea!!
Your “tea party in the box” is sooo cute!! I love this cute idea. 🙂 🙂 Smiles, hope you have a lovely day, xx Holly