By Anne Clarke 

Introductory comments by Royane Real

Have you ever noticed how well tea and friendship go together?

There’s something that is very timeless and relaxing about sitting down to share a cup of tea with one or more of your close friends.  No wonder that in every culture, sitting down to tea with friends has been a long cherished tradition.

Whether it’s a proper British high tea with fancy china and silverware and dainty cucumber sandwiches, or tea poured into a mug with a twist of lemon and a dollop of honey, a tea break is rejuvenating.  

Your tea break could be a proper traditional Japanese tea ceremony, or your cup of tea might be made from water boiled at a campsite, and served beside the campfire.  

People in India, China and many other cultures have been drinking tea with family and friends and important tradition for centuries.

Many people make tea time a regular part of how they spend time with their friends.  And why not?  When you sit down to have tea with a friend, you are clearing a space in your schedule to set aside all the cares of the day, and simply “be”. 

In the following article, the author Anne Clarke suggests several gift ideas you can give your friends who enjoy having tea.  Why not try making one of the gift baskets she suggests and make tea a part of your friendship ritual?

( The above introductory comments were written by Royane Real - Author of   “Your Guide to Finding Friends, Making Friends and Keeping Friends”)

Feature article

Tea and Friendship Go Hand in Hand

By: Anne Clarke

Many of us have that one special person in our life that we can always count on. I am not referring to our spouses or our significant others. I am referring to our best friends. These great friends of ours deserve only the best gifts. They most certainly deserve to receive some wonderful best friend gifts.

You can give best friend gifts for practically any occasion. Give one for a birthday or a holiday; or give one just because. In fact, the latter reason is the absolute best reason to give gifts. After all, these great friends deserve a gift every day of their lives, just for being who they are.

One wonderful idea for best friend gift is a Tea for Two gift basket. In this basket, include a teapot and two teacups and saucers. Include two biscuits (on second thought including a lot of biscuits! And be sure to include a lot of chocolate, as well! Two good friends can go through these items quite quickly!).

Also include sugar cubes, honey, and a great variety of tea. If you decide to give loose tea, add a tea infuser, as well. To make this best friend gift basket truly special, though, include a book. There are some excellent books out there on tea and friendship.

“A Cup of Christmas Tea” by Tom Hegg and Warren Hanson

“The Twelve Teas of Friendship: When Friends are Together, Its Always a Celebration” by Emilie Barnes, et al

“The Red Hat Society : Fun and Friendship After Fifty” by Sue Ellen Cooper

“Tea and Friendship Journal” by Sandy Lyman Clough

“The Art of Tea and Friendship: Savoring the Fragrance of Time Together” by Sandy Lynam Clough

“You’re Just My Cup of Tea: Our Friendship Warms My Heart” by Camille Ellerbrook

“Friendship Teas to Go” by Emilie Barnes and Susan Rios

“Join Me for Tea: Infusing Friendships with Love and Laughter” by Emilie Barnes

“Sandy’s Tea Society: Delighting in Friendships Steeped in Love” by Sandy Lynam Clough

“A Little Friendship: A Cup of Tea Together Will Make Us Glad and a Little Friendship is No Small Matter” by Renee Locks

This is just one idea of a great many for gifts for best friends. What you decide to give depends entirely on you and your best friend. The important thing is to give a gift that shows him or her exactly how much you care and how much he or she means to you.

Other great things to give to your best friend are two tickets to sporting events, the symphony, ski resorts, etc. You can also reserve an entire day for your best friend, taking him or her out to dinner, on a hike, to the spa, etc.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her articles on tea, please visit Distinct Gift Baskets.

Article source: http://www.yourarticleshop.com  

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How to Have more friends - even if You're Shy and Lonely!

By Royane Real

Do you ever with you had a better social life?  Are you tired of being lonely?  Perhaps you suffer from shyness and you wish you could learn how to be outgoing and popular.

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Learn more about this exciting book that can change your life forever  “Your Guide to Finding Friends, Making Friends and Keeping Friends” at  http://www.lulu.com/real      

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