"It's the most wonderful time of the year"
From the white icicle lights twinkling proudly in the 70 degree weather, and the brilliant red Poinsettia sentries at the front door, to the glow of the twinkling white lights of the (artificial) evergreen, the perfect backdrop for my most favorite time of the year is created!   

One of my family's favorite Christmas memories is sitting together around the tree at night and sharing a cup of Christmas Tea listening to music or creating our own with a myriad of guitars, keys and voices. 

I invite you to join our family in developing a new tradition this year.  Mix up a batch or two of this Spice tea and share a cup of  it while reading (or watching ) this story of giving the gift of time, called  A Cup of Christmas Tea, by Tom Hegg.  Then discuss who you might bring some of your Christmas Tea Mix to, wrapped up in a simple baggie or mason jar adorned with a Christmas Ribbon. 

 Consider giving a special relative or neighbor the gift of your time.  Don't just bring them the tea mix, stay and share a cup of it with them.   As it is with most ways we serve others.....it will bless you more than it does them.

Here is the simple (DEFINITELY NOT NUTRITARIAN) recipe for our family's Christmas Tea

Christmas Tea

Ingredients
1 cup instant tea powder
2 cups orange-flavored powder (tang)
1 (3 ounce) package powdered lemonade mix
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 movie sized box of red hots

Directions

In a large bowl, combine instant tea powder, orange drink mix, lemonade powder, sugar, cinnamon and cloves. Mix thoroughly. 

Store in a sealed jar.


To use, mix 3 to 4 tablespoons of mix with 1 cup hot or cold water. Adjust to taste.

Sugar Free Christmas Tea
Sugar Free Version:

1 (0.55-ounce) tub sugar-free lemonade-flavored soft drink mix
2 (0.55-ounce) tub sugar-free orange-flavored breakfast beverage crystals
1/2  cup unsweetened iced tea mix
6 packages of Stevia
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 Movie Sized Box of Red Hots (optional)
 
Follow the mixing directions above.
 
However, because this is sugar free, use only 1/2 teaspoon of mix to a cup of water.  Adjust to taste. 

Have a beautiful, other centric Christmas!