holiday high

At some point in life, you will look around and know that you have more than enough stuff. Many of my friends and I reached capacity a lifetime ago but we continued to buy all sorts of presents for each other when Christmas came around, even put together a list of "wants" to make it easier on the shopper.  I am happy to say that we finally headed in a different direction, i.e., down practical lane, about five years ago. Some didn't want gifts at all opting to just get together as a group to share a meal, others donated money to charities in the name of each friend, and gift certificates to favorite haunts were a welcome item. And so it was until the desire for more meaningful exchanges, to establish annual holiday traditions unique to the person (s) involved caused the creative juices to flow faster than eggnog! Last year was my first foray into doing something that I looked forward to repeating this season with one of my friends. Recently, I chatted with another gal pal; we quickly agreed that "high tea for the holidays" followed by a stroll through the downtown Christmas bazaar would be bliss on our list of gatherings we'd enjoy! The search was on for the best location -- the Willard Intercontinental did not disappoint.

Entering the lobby made me feel like I was stepping into a Christmas movie -- lights low with a glow that made everything a "roll camera" blur, exquisitely perfect decorations everywhere, a huge tree in the center of the room, packages underneath ready to be unwrapped...old world charm (sorry to sound so cliché but in this case it's the truth).

Tea is an event at the Willard, held in Peacock Alley, which is a few plush carpeted steps up from the lobby, its softly lit warm in both temperature and ambiance corridor oozing coziness for what seems like miles. Delightful aromas mingle with harp strings and pleasantries, an enticing combination that tucks you comfortably in your seat. Moet Champagne, if you like comes first, the pop of the cork signaling the beginning of a sumptuous afternoon.

An assortment of savory and sweet morsels wait to be devoured....

Tea flowed, its amber liquid aromatic, needing no sugar...

The entire experience felt like a big embrace and though the weather outside kept us from the bazaar, our spirits were far from damp. As we put on our wraps, enthusiastic congratulations on our choice affirmed that the Willard is home for our new holiday high!

This year, consider opening up your imagination to the possibilities that don't include opening just another package and...

keep your peepers open!®