Seasonal Sips
The holidays are a time to celebrate old traditions and create new ones. Celebrating with a holiday tea is an option that many local tearooms are offering with their traditional and festive tea services.
The BELLAMY MANSION MUSEUM will culminate its annual tea series with a holiday tea on December 7, dubbed “A Proper English Tea.”
The holiday tea is the most popular tea of the series “because the house is fully decorated for the holidays, there’s live music, door prize raffles, tea sandwiches, and desserts,” according to Ashley Relf, Bellamy Mansion’s operations manager. “There’s probably more food than you’d expect at a light tea.”
This year marks the fourth year of the three-tea series put on by a volunteer committee. In addition to the holiday tea, tea services are held in the spring and fall. Reservations for all teas open in March, and this year’s two-seating holiday tea has already sold out.
Sherri French, owner of SOUTHPORT TEA HOUSE, says that many of her customers are drawn to the European tradition of socializing over a healthy cup of tea.
“It’s really a way to honor a tradition that they would do with a family member who is no longer here or just the social aspect of talking and getting together, and it’s better to do over tea,” French says.
The Southport Tea House’s December 12 holiday tea includes a traditional tea service with four courses including a choice of salad or soup, a variety of sandwiches, scones, and dessert.
Quiche is a house specialty that is “very popular here because it is custardy and moist, and there’s no crust, so those who are gluten free enjoy it,” French says. “And our cream scone brings an English style to the tearoom.”
Kathy Cody of the Calabash Garden Tea Room calls her tea “the ultimate tea experience” and says the holiday tea, served starting December 12, is even more special.
“The tearoom will be adorned with lovely Christmas decorations and serving the most delicious Christmas goodies, including our special holiday peppermint scones and white chocolate cherry scones,” Cody says.
The CALABASH GARDEN TEA ROOM is open seven days a week, available for private parties, and has hats and boas available, “to heighten the tea experience.”
“For those who love to take tea and love to get together with their family, it becomes a family tradition for them. It’s for ladies one to one hundred,” Cody says.
If you are looking to continue a holiday tradition, or to begin a new one, one of these special events certainly may be your cup of tea.
PINKIE UP
“Christmas Candle Tea” December 5
Covenant Moravian Church
4126 South College Road
Info: 799-9256
“A Proper English Tea” December 7
Bellamy Mansion Museum
503 Market Street
Info: bellamymansion.org
Southport Tea House December 12
611 North Howe Street, Southport
Info: southportteahouse.com
Calabash Garden Tea Room
Every day beginning December 12
10152 Beach Drive, Calabash
Info: calabashgardentearoom.com
“A Courtly Holiday Tea” December 13
Graystone Inn, 100 South Third Street
Info: chambermusicwilmington.org
To view more of photographer Terah Wilson’s work, go to timelessfotographie.com
