Tea and Books Saturday #50 - "The Twelve Teas of Christmas"

The Twelve Teas of Christmas
Harvest House Publishers, 1999
By Emilie Barnes with paintings by Sandy Lynam Clough

I certainly *thought* I had read this book before, but if I had I'd certainly forgotten most of it by the time I read it again this week. Emilie Barnes' tea writings and Sandy Lynam Clough's tea illustrations are always on my "favorites" list, and this Christmas book is such a joy-filled work. It's heartening to read, it's beautiful to look at, and it's also full of recipes and useful ideas for Christmas-themed teas. Among the 12 celebrations covered in the book are a friendship tea, a caroling tea, a mother and daughter angel-themed tea, and even a post-Christmas "Celebration of Stillness" tea. If you merely look at this book you'll enjoy it, but it is also a great Christmas cookbook. It is packed with recipes and there are quite a few of them I intend to try very soon, especially some of the sandwich spreads.

The book contains tidbits and trivia about a variety of Christmasy things. Did you know, for instance, that tinsel was invented in Germany in 1610? That means this year is the 400th anniversary of tinsel — and had I been aware of that fact I would have planned a proper tribute because I absolutely adore tinsel! And I loved this Victorian verse about how to fill a Christmas stocking: "Something to eat, something to read, something to play with, and something they need!" I think that's still a good rule of thumb for gift selection, don't you?

I definitely need to read this book earlier in the fall next year so I can plan one of the "Celebrations" as described in this lovely book. This really should be must-reading for a tea lover at Christmas!