STEEPED IN THE SEASON
Create the perfect holiday gathering with good food, good conversation and a proper pot of tea
MARGARET GATES MGATES@LNPNEWS.COM
During World War II, Prime Minister Winston Churchill famously bought up all the imported tea he could find so his fellow countrymen in the United Kingdom would not go without their favorite beverage.
While British are well known for their love of tea, that love extends across the pond as well. Here in the U.S., tea is the second most consumed beverage after water, with some 160 million Americans drinking it every day, according to the Tea Association of the U.S.A.
But tea is more than just a beverage; it’s an experience. Which makes a holiday tea the perfect way to celebrate the season with friends and family, says Helen Widdowson, an event planner for WITF, a former tearoom owner and a certified tea expert.
“It’s the intimacy of it, and it’s the slowing down and the relaxing,” Widdowson says. “The items on a tea tray are smaller in portion than a meal. That actually makes people eat slower. … It also is the art of conversation, too. Today, there’s not enough of that going on anymore.”
Planning a holiday tea doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, Widdowson says. All you need are a few special touches, a festive menu, some good tea and a dose of determination.
The basics
A simple holiday tea should include the following:
— Scones with clotted cream, jam and curd. (You can’t do a tea without them, Widdowson says.)
— Cookies. (If you’re a holiday baker, you probably already have some. You can also ask your friends to share some of their Christmas favorites.)
— Shortbread.
— Cake (or another main dessert with some richness and depth).
— Something chocolate. (No need to labor over this step. You can simply buy your favorite chocolates.)
— 1-2 savories. (Think stuffed mushrooms or something else that is usually baked and served warm.)
— 2-3 varieties of tea sandwiches. (Pro tip: Cut the bread slightly frozen for a
cleaner cut. You can also use holiday cookie cutters to make it more festive.)
— Tea, of course. (Widdowson recommends choosing 2 to 3 varieties.)
— Salad or soup as a starter (optional).
— Conversation.
The tea
The holidays are a time to let loose — at least where tea is concerned.
“Whole leaf (or loose) tea offers so much more flavor than the traditional tea bag,” says Heather Marston, owner of Pureblend Tea, a whole-leaf, handblended tea company based in Ephrata. “The whole leaves have a chance to bloom in the cup or teapot, creating a full-flavored beverage.”
Loose tea is a higher quality tea with superior flavor because it includes more of the leaf, unlike tea bags that contain fannings, or the broken and dried bits of tea “dust” captured during the drying
process.
Another option is a tea sachet, which contains both whole leaves and some pieces of tea, making it better than a tea bag but not as pure as loose tea.
Marston says if she were curating a tea party, she would offer a variety of flavors, including floral, spicy and fruity. To start simple, however, she suggests offering two teas (a black and an herbal, which is caffeine-free) or three (a black, a green and an herbal).
“My two go-to black teas for beginners are Earl Grey and English Breakfast,” Marston says. “They are well-known and crowd favorites.”
Blends featuring peppermint are a favorite in both green and herbal varieties, she says. And there are always seasonal teas as well. For the holidays, Pureblend offers a White Chocolate Peppermint black tea, a green Cranberry Almond and an herbal Shortbread Cookie, to name a few.
The presentation
“A tea doesn’t have to be formal and have tablecloths,” Widdowson says, noting you can find tea and scones in many a rustic pub in England. “It’s the ceremony of it and the celebration of it that puts the mantel overtop the whole thing.”
She is currently planning a British afternoon tea in January for the WITF Season 5 premiere of “All Creatures Great and Small.” It will a be plainer
HOW TO BREW A PROPER POT OR CUP OF TEA
Widdowson offers these tips: Rinse out the teapot or cup with warm water.
Start with filtered water.
Measure loose tea into a filter or infuser at a ratio of 1 teaspoon of loose tea per 1 cup of water. (Note: Don’t use a metal infuser or tea ball for loose tea since the tea leaves need to be able to unfurl. A disposable filter bag, known as a tea sac, or a larger infuser works best.)
Place infuser into pot or cup.
Fill a kettle or hot pot with water and heat just to the boil. Pour water over infuser and steep using the following guide (temperature included if using an electric kettle):
n Black tea: 3-5 minutes (200 F)
n Green tea: 3-4 minutes (175 F)
n White tea: 4-6 minutes (175 F)
n Oolong tea: 4-5 minutes (185 F)
n Herbals: 5-10 minutes (212 F)
NOTE: Loose tea can be reinfused with same leaves 2-4 times.
Loose tea is a higher quality tea with superior flavor because it contains more of the leaf.
Tea: How to host for holidays
and simpler affair, she says, much like it would have been during World War II, the time period for the series.
For a simple holiday tea, the food can do double duty as the main decor. Display it on cake plates or tiered servers with a little greenery, a few small ornaments and perhaps some candles for ambience and you’re set.
While a holiday tea is the perfect time to break out the cloth napkins and heirloom china you never use, you can certainly choose more practical options, whether it’s mismatched pieces or even plastic.
You will, however, need a teapot for each type of tea you are serving. Widdowson recommends sourcing them from friends, thrift shops or even Amazon, where you can find a variety for under $20.
The experience
Widdowson hosts a holiday tea every year.
HOLIDAY TEA RECIPES
Helen Widdowson offers these easy recipes for an afternoon tea:
FOOL-PROOF SCONES
These rich-tasting, flaky scones are so easy to make. No afternoon tea would be complete without them. The trick is to NOT handle the dough too much and to remember to bake just until browned. Store after baking in an airtight container.
Makes 1 dozen scones.
Ingredients:
n 2 cups all-purpose flour
n 2 teaspoon baking powder
n ½ teaspoon salt
n ¼ teaspoon baking soda
n 6 tablespoons unsalted cold butter
n ½ cup craisins
n ½ cup buttermilk
n 1 egg
n 1 tablespoon heavy cream
n 1 tablespoon sugar
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet or use parchment paper to line.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and soda in a large bowl.
3. With a pastry blender, cut in butter, mixing in until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in craisins.
4. Whisk buttermilk and egg together. Then add to flour mixture. Stir together until a soft ball of dough forms. Turn onto lightly floured surface, knead gently just turning 5-6 times. Roll out dough with a floured rolling pin to a ½-inch thickness. Using a biscuit cutter, cut scones out and place on baking sheet. Brush tops lightly with cream and sprinkle with sugar.
5. Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly browned. Serve with Devonshire cream, lemon curd and jam.
Do ahead tip: Can be frozen and thawed before serving OR after they are cut out, scones can be frozen raw and baked fresh. If doubling recipe, divide dough in half and cut out scones from each half to make it easier to work with.
Optional: Substitute currants, nuts, golden raisins for craisins, if desired. When using fresh fruit, fruit must be patted dry before adding to dough mixture.
MOCK DEVONSHIRE CREAM
Make one hour before serving.
“I always try to invite somebody that I’ve never invited before,” she says. “It’s never awkward. That’s what part of tea is, too. It forces civility and accepting people.”
Since the beauty of the tea is in the conversation, you might incorporate an icebreaker game or activity, especially if you’ve invited guests who aren’t already acquainted with one another, she says. And don’t forget the holiday music.
You can also incorporate a gift exchange into the experience, although the tea itself can be your gift to your guests. As an added favor, consider buying extra loose tea and packaging some for each guest to take home — or prepare empty gift bags and let them scoop their favorite blend.
Hopefully your guests will also leave with the warmth that comes from good conversation over a relaxing cup of tea.
“It’s kind of like when you get a massage,” Widdowson says. “It’s that same kind of feeling.”
Ingredients:
n 1 cup heavy cream
n 3 tablespoons powdered sugar (10x)
n ½ cup sour cream
Preparation:
1. In stand or with hand mixer, beat heavy cream until stiff. FOLD in sugar and sour cream.
2. Refrigerate in covered bowl/container. Serve with Scones.
Note: This recipe cannot be made the day before, as it will not maintain shape.
CHRISTMAS TEA SANDWICH
Makes approximately 32.
Ingredients:
n 1 small green pepper, chopped
n 1 small red pepper chopped
n ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
n 1 teaspoon dried dill
n 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
n 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
ONLINE
n 1 teaspoon paprika
n Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
1. Mix the peppers with the parsley and dill.
2. With an electric mixer or food processor, combine the butter and cream cheese.
3. Add the paprika, salt and pepper and mix briefly.
4. Blend in the pepper mixture and spread on bread or crackers.
For a full menu of recipes for your holiday tea, visit lanc.news/holidaytea
HANDY TIPS FOR DECKING THE HALLS
MARGARET GATES MGATES@LNPNEWS.COM
Holiday entertaining is about more than simply food and drink. It’s about creating a warm and festive atmosphere where family and friends can gather.
Sheryl Ohman knows that well. An interior designer and owner of A Designer’s Vision, Ohman offers holiday decorating services to those in Lancaster and Berks counties who want a little help transforming their homes for the yuletide season.
She offers these tips and trends:
Down to earth
Reds and greens are traditional colors choice for holiday decorating, but you can really choose a theme and color scheme that best suits your personal tastes, Ohman says. Think silver and gold, or even black and white for a more con-
temporary look.
This year, rustic, earthy and woodland is shaping up as a popular theme. The main ingredient is lots of greenery — wreaths on front doors and cabinet doors, and garlands on mantels, staircases, windows and entryways.
Ohman offers one caveat if you’re not using fresh greenery: “Use real-feel greenery, not the ones that you can clearly tell as soon as you look at them, as soon as you touch them, that they’re fake.”
You can also stack birch logs at the fireplace or use them to create a table centerpiece, she says.
Trees
with a twist
Some people will never give up the time–honored tradition of trekking through the fields and chopping down the family Christmas tree. But others are embracing alternatives, whether it’s to cut
down on the cost, the maintenance or the cleanup.
While nothing will replace a live tree, Ohman says, people are experimenting more, especially as modern tastes come to the fore in 2024. Among the trending artificial alternatives this year:
— Twig trees, birch trees, beaded trees and crystal trees. You can usually find these in sizes from 1 to 5 feet.
— Alpine downswept trees, typically sold in sets of varying heights of 3 to 5 feet.
“Those look really beautiful if they’re set up in sets,” Ohman says. “You want to make sure that when you’re … setting up your trees that you’re doing it in an odd number — 1, 3 or 5.”
Paper products
And no, we don’t mean paper
DECOR, page 5
Decor
towels and toilet paper — although they can both be crucial for holiday entertaining. Ohman says decorative paper Christmas trees and ornaments made from paper are also popular this year.
Furniture and home accessories retailer West Elm offers paper ornaments on its website along with myriad paper trees billed as “a modern take on traditional trees.” Sizes range from 12-inch tabletop versions to 7-foot floor trees.
You’ll also find no shortage of YouTube video tutorials showing you how to DIY those trees at a fraction of the cost.
Let there be light
Lights aren’t just for decorating the tree or creating an awe-inspiring outdoor display. Little white lights in everything from vases to lanterns can add a touch of warmth.
You knead a little neutral
Save some time and money by incorporating some neutral decor items that can easily adapt to any season. One of
Ohman’s favorites is the versatile wooden dough bowl. “Depending on how you decorate, you can decorate year-round with it,” she says. “You can put candles in them, greeneries in them. You can put vases in them and pretty much do any type of centerpiece. … You’re not having to go to the store and buy all new decor.”
Shop for bargains
Another way to deck your halls for less is by checking out secondhand stores. “Lancaster County is very heavily populated with consignment and thrift shops,” she says. “You can often get a lot of these
items for half of the retail price. … There’s so much that is donated to these shops and can be purchased, especially if you’re on a tight budget. It definitely makes it worthwhile to check those out.”
Enjoy the season
Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just a few, don’t let the pursuit of perfection dampen the holidays. “I really want to emphasize the time spent with family and loved ones over time spent pulling it all together,” Ohman says. “Celebrate the time you have with your loved ones instead of making sure everything is just right.”
John Medeiros Jewelry,Pandora, Firefly Brighton, Vera Bradley, T Jazelle, J h M
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20 WAYS TO ENTERTAIN FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN LANCASTER COUNTY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Whether you have guests visiting from out of town or you’re looking to spend quality time with family, there’s plenty to see and do this season in Lancaster County.
Here are a few options for entertaining everyone on your list.
58th Marietta Candlelight Tour of Homes
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 Marietta
The annual tour returns with eight private homes and several public buildings decorated for visitors. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the tour. Purchase advance tickets online at mariettarestoration.org. Purchase tickets on tour day at Donegal Intermediate School, 1177 River Road; Old Town Hall Museum, 3 W. Walnut St.; or First National Escape Bank, 100 W. Market St. Free parking and shuttle bus service will be available at all three locations. mariettarestoration.org
Yuletide at the Renaissance Faire
11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 7-8, 14-15 2775 Lebanon Road, Manheim
Prepare to be whisked away into a wondrous winter wonderland, where the magic of the holiday season comes alive amid a realm of fantastical characters, mouth-watering delicacies and exquisite beverages. parenfaire.com/yuletide
Christmas in Lititz Springs Park
6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 Lititz Springs Park
Enjoy holiday performances, carol singing, the lighting of the community Christmas tree, and maybe even a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. lititzspringspark.org
Holiday Arts Market
5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 Ewell Plaza
Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts amid twinkling lights and holiday music as lo-
cal artisans showcase their work in this outdoor market. visitlancastercity.com
Tuba Christmas
8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 Ewell Plaza
Local and regional tuba players gather for a spirited brass performance of holiday favorites. visitlancastercity.com
Elizabethtown Holiday Parade
4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Elizabethtown
Join the community for a holiday pa-
rade down Market Street, from College Avenue to the square. This year’s theme is “Holiday Characters.” GetintoGEARS.org
Christmas at the Cloister 6:30 and 8 p.m. Dec. 9-10 Ephrata Cloister, 632 W. Main St., Ephrata
Spend some time in quiet reflection in the historic 1741 Meetinghouse during this program of seasonal readings and carols featuring the Ephrata Cloister Chorus. Advance tickets are required due to limited seating. Tickets: $8. ephratacloister.org
Annual Christmas Candlelight Tour
5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 13-14 Lititz Historical Foundation 137-145 E. Main St., Lititz
Take a 40-minute guided tour of the 1792 Johannes Mueller House and learn the story of Mueller and his family as well as the history and customs of the early Moravian community of Lititz in the 18th century. Tours depart every 15 minutes. Admission is $10. Tickets can be purchased online by day and time slot at lititzhistoricalfoundation.com. Click on “Events.” lititzhistoricalfoundation.com
St. Nicholas, from Holland, is part of the Santas Around the World display at the National Christmas Center.
Events
Continued from 6
Live Nativity
Dec. 13-14, 20-21
Woodcrest Retreat
225 Woodcrest Road, Ephrata
Walk with biblical characters along candlelit wooded trails, interact with shepherds and merchants, and receive items to assist you on your journey to discover the story of Christmas. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 5-16 and free for children 4 and under. For more details or to reserve a time slot, visit woodcrestretreat.org/events/ journey.
woodcrestretreat.org
Christkindlmarkt
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 Lancaster Liederkranz
722 S. Chiques Road, Manheim
Shop at a traditional outdoor German Christmas market in the Lancaster Liederkranz Pavilion, featuring gifts from over 30 local vendors, traditional German food and drink (including inside dining), German beer and hot mulled spiced wine, pictures with Santa, children’s crafts, musical performances, a bonfire and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Admission and off-site shuttle parking is free. On-site parking is $10. lancasterliederkranz.com
Solanco Christmas Bird Count Sunday, Dec. 15, all day
Take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle, get some fresh air and volunteer in this effort to assess the health of the bird population. This annual count in southern Lancaster County is one of several that take place locally each year. The Lancaster Christmas Bird Count takes place Dec. 22, the same day as a Christmas bird count for kids in Lancaster County Central Park from 1-3 p.m. Lititz will host a count on Sunday, Dec. 29. All levels of experience are welcome. lancasterbirdclub.org
Amish Christmas Cookie Tour
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Through Dec. 28
Amish Farm & House
2395 Covered Bridge Drive, Lancaster
Board a bus for a guided tour with stops at two to three Amish homes to sample Christmas cookies, learn about Amish Christmas traditions, and take home some cookies and recipes. Tickets are $55.95 for ages 12 and over, $39.95
for ages 5-11, and $12.95 for toddlers 4 and under.
amishfarmandhouse.com/christmascookie-tour
AMT 2024 Christmas Show Through Dec. 30
American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East
American Music Theatre’s new original show, “Joy to the World,” evokes holiday nostalgia with live performances of favorite sacred and seasonal Christmas songs in a small-town winter carnival setting. Tickets are $25 for children, $39 for members and $49 for adults. amtshows.com
Yuletide at Wheatland
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday Through Dec. 30
230 N. President Ave.
Take a guided history and holidaythemed tour through the floors of the decorated mansion that was once the home of former President James Buchanan. See the holiday season as it was experienced by Buchanan’s niece and nephew, Harriet Lane and James Buchanan Henry, in the early days of the Second Industrial Revolution. Admission is $17 for adults and $8 for children. lancasterhistory.org
Christmas Spirit Light Show
Through Dec. 31 Clipper Magazine Stadium
Hundreds of thousands of colorchanging lights dance in harmony to Christmas classics in this milelong drive-thru attraction. Or walk along Christmas Tree Lane and take in over 100 decorated trees. christmasspiritlightshows.com
New Year’s Eve
8 p.m. to midnight 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31 Downtown Lancaster
The City of Lancaster will host fireworks from multiple locations in the city to ring in the new year. visitlancastercity.com
Menorah lighting Dec. 25-Jan. 1 Penn Square
The Jewish Community Alliance of Lancaster will gather in Penn Square to ceremonially light the public menorah during Hanukkah. visitlancastercity.com
National Christmas Center 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday Through Jan. 4
48 Industrial Road, Elizabethtown
Board a shuttle bus to the temporary location of this holiday-themed museum and tour over 18,000 square feet of Christmas nostalgia that will one day have a permanent home at Stone Gables Estate in Elizabethtown. Attractions include 1950s-era storefronts, an animated Tudor Towne, life-size Santas from
different cultures, over 1,000 nativities from around the world and a Toy Soldier with over 5,000 handpainted soldiers. Admission is $22 for adults, $12 for children 5-17 and free for children 4 and under.
stonegablesestate.com/public-events
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Through Jan. 5
Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre 510 Centerville Road
Based on the holiday classic, veterans turned song-and-dance men Bob and Phil meet a sister duo and follow them to a Vermont Inn that has fallen on hard times. The foursome decide to put on a show to save the inn. Adult ticket prices are $55 for show only, $74-$82 for dinner and show. Child and student tickets also available. dutchapple.com
Christmas Light Experience Through Jan. 5
Refreshing Mountain 455 Camp Road, Stevens
If you’re up for adventure, combine zip lining with thousands of Christmas lights. Prices range from $49 to $69 for various levels of zip lining, along with an observation deck, wildlife center and Christmas lights walking path. If you’d rather stay more grounded, you can skip the zip lining and do the rest for $14. There’s a donation-based walking path option to benefit nonprofits, too. refreshingmountain.com/christmas
Clipper Magazine Christmas Tree Lane and Christmas Spirit Light Show.
MAXIMIZE OUTDOOR SPACES FOR YOUR HOLIDAY GATHERINGS
METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
The holiday season comes at a time when the weather can be anywhere from cool to frigid. But even if the weather outside is somewhat frightful, holiday entertaining in outdoor spaces can still be delightful. Here are some tips for putting outdoor areas to good use.
Decorate first.
An easy way to make outdoor entertaining spaces more welcoming is to coordinate the decor with the interior of the home. Greenery wrapped with lights around railings and fencing can create the perfect ambiance. Candles, wreaths and small, decorated Christmas trees can finish the effect.
Consider a fire or heating element.
Unless you live in a temperate climate, you’ll need some way to keep guests warm. Center the outdoor entertaining space around a fire pit, outdoor fireplace or an outdoor heater. Make sure to illuminate the outdoor area so that guests can find their way around with ease.
Host an early gathering.
The sun sets early in fall and winter, so it may not only get colder, but also darker at a time when guests typically arrive. Think about moving up the start time of your holiday event if you’ll be having an outdoor area.
Use the grill.
Keep foods warm by using the grill or an outdoor griddle; otherwise, set up the food buffet-style inside so guests can make their plates and gravitate where they feel comfortable.
Provide blankets or fleeces.
Along with warming elements around your entertaining space, add a large basket with cozy throws, blankets or fleece jackets that guests can use to warm up. Hats and scarves may be welcome too.
Invest in waterproof furniture.
Upgrade your exterior seating with plush outdoor couches and lounges that are decked out in weather-resistant fabrics. Make them more comfortable with throw pillows that coordinate with a holiday entertaining theme.
Set up two drink stations.
Set up beverages both inside and outside the home so guests can easily refill their drinks wherever they are relaxing. Think about having some warm drinks outside, such as mulled cider or hot chocolate, so guests can be warmed from the inside as well.
Use a wireless speaker.
A Bluetooth-enabled wireless speaker allows guests to listen to holiday tunes while enjoying themselves outside.
METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
CREATE A GUEST ROOM THAT WILL MAKE VISITORS FEEL WELCOME
Millions of hosts welcome family and friends into their home as overnight guests each holiday season. Hosting loved ones during the holiday season is a selfless act that enables families to create the kind of lasting memories that make December such a special time of year.
As hosts prepare their homes for loved
ones this holiday season, they can consider these tips to make guests rooms as welcoming as possible for friends and family.
Check the bedding and replace, if necessary.
It’s easy to overlook the comfort of bedding in a guest room, particularly since hosts may never sleep in their
own guest rooms. When furnishing a guest room, it’s not unheard of to repurpose an existing mattress from an owner’s suite or another room and use for guest room bedding. Though that’s acceptable, it’s necessary to periodically inspect a guest room mattress to make sure it’s still comfortable and supportive. If not, replace the mattress. A mattress topper, a new com-
forter and a new set of soft sheets also can make guest room bedding more comfortable.
Clear out the clutter.
Guest rooms can easily become depositories for old furniture and other items, which can create a cluttered and less than welcoming atmosphere in a space.
WELCOME, page 11
Welcome: Guest rooms
Continued from 10
Give each guest room a thorough onceover before guests arrive, removing pieces that might be creating a claustrophobic vibe. Keep in mind that guests will bring luggage, so a less cluttered space with ample room for their bags can make it easier to settle in.
Take a cue from hotels.
Hotels ensure guests have ample creature comforts at their fingertips. Holiday hosts can do the same when welcoming loved ones into their homes. Provide ample bed and bath linens, ensure the room has ample lighting so guests can read at bedtime and get dressed in plenty of light in the morning. A foldable luggage rack is another nice touch that can keep guests from having to dig through their suitcases on the floor.
Add an armchair where possible. A spacious guest room allows hosts to
Connect with us
provide some extra creature comforts. If the room allows, place a comfortable armchair and side table in the space so guests can read a book or catch up on the news on a tablet or smartphone. A comfortable, quiet and secluded place to sit provides guests a respite from the hustle and bustle of a home filled with holiday guests.
Install window coverings, if necessary.
A feeling of privacy is another important creature comfort guests will appreciate. Replace existing window treatments if they do not provide adequate privacy or if they do not keep the elements out in the morning. For example, a room that is sun-soaked by early morning each day may make it hard for guests to get sufficient sleep. Some blackout curtains or a new set of blinds allows guests to determine the amount of natural light that will greet them each morning.
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