Tea Time Treats

As a Mum, I know how busy this time of year can be. When my daughters were still at Primary School, the weeks seemed to fly by and all of a sudden Christmas would be upon us. The children's teachers played such an important roll in their young lives, that I always wanted to show my appreciation for this with a small gift that I had created with the girls at the end of the school term.

These tea cup gift sets were always a big hit and if you are a slightly harassed mother, looking for a little present for your child to offer at Christmas time, then I hope this helps. A quick trip to a charity shop or car boot sale should turn up a pretty vintage cup and saucer, or perhaps you have a set to spare in your kitchen cupboard.

My first suggestion (to make without the children, for obvious safety reasons) would be a Christmas candle. Carefully melt a small church candle in a foil dish over a saucepan of boiling water. Save the wick and place it into the centre of the cup (You can secure it with a dab of PVA glue in the bottom of the cup if you wish.) You will need to support it upright in the middle with a pencil placed across the rim of the cup.

Carefully pour the wax into the cup around the wick and allow to set. You could add aromatherapy oils or lavender flowers too. Keep a little wax back as it may need topping up, as sometimes a well appears around the wick.

A simpler idea to do WITH the children are these bulb planters. Choose a small variety of flowering bulb and plant in a little compost, or buy them ready planted in pots and split them up into the cups. Dress the top with sphagnum or Spanish moss.

If time is short, pick some festive leaves and berries from your garden and create a small posy tied with ribbon and place it in the cup or tied to the handle.

For a retro girl fill a 1950's kitsch rose printed tea cup with yummy chocolate truffles or other festive sweets. (Incidentally, I hang these 'Lindt Lindor' truffles with ribbons from our Christmas tree, as they are so delicious and look like little Xmas baubles.)

For an older teacher perhaps, tie a lavender filled heart made from vintage fabric to the cup handle and fill with pretty hankies or lace.

The cups can be presented inside a large square of cellophane gathered up around it and tied with festive ribbons and trims.

Maybe your china is pretty enough to be received as it is or fill with small gift ideas of your own, such as soaps and bath cubes or speciality tea bags. Pincushions can be another fun alternative too.

In today's very commercial world, I think these little tea cups make a sweet statement that you care enough to make the effort to say 'thank you'. I am sure they would also make a welcome gift to an elderly neighbour, or have a couple to hand for unexpected guests over the festive season.

Have fun!