““
The most wonderful time of the year
”
is close at hand, and celebrating the holidays of the
season with afternoon tea is a marvelous way to show
your love and appreciation to family and friends.
This curated collection of recipes for delectable
tea foods and inspiring ideas for festive table settings
will make planning and hosting each tea party a
joy. Whether you observe Thanksgiving, Hanukkah,
Christmas, or New Year’s Eve, the 10 menus in
this special collector’s issue, along with expert
recommendations on which teas to pair with each
course, make it easy to decide what to serve. Our
“Tea-Steeping Guide” on page 8 reminds you that not
all tea is prepared in the same way, and it lists six steps
for making a great pot of the beverage. And if you’re
concerned about entertaining guests who have gluten
sensitivities, take a look at our helpful “Recipe Index” on
page 128, which indicates the ones that just happen to
be gluten-free but are still quite fl avor-fi lled.
An array of lovely tablescapes—from traditional
to modern and classic to whimsical—will easily suit
almost any decorating and entertaining style. For
more information on the items pictured and to fi nd
out where to purchase them, be sure to consult
“Resources” on page 129.
As you plan your celebrations, let this issue serve as
your guide to make them oh-so joyous.
Happy holidays!
Lorna Reeves, Editor
