Tis a Season of Giving | Chai a Little Kindness!
Holiday madness?
Oh my goodness, I stopped in the local department today and could not believe it! The crowds were unbelievable with people tossing items into their carts right and left. It was crazy! I actually stopped in to buy spices; no need to shop, the kitchen was calling my name. It was way too much for me.
Gifts from the heart…
I’ve always struggled with buying gifts for friends and family. In fact I find it’s more difficult for me to purchase a gift rather than make something. This week I have a small gift which I’ve made to share with book club friends; something meaningful yet useful. If you love a good book, I think you’ll love this gift too!
It’s Tea Time at the Bird’s nest my friends!
Masala Chai is a rich and aromatic tea. Made with fresh toasted spices and loose leaf black tea Chai has been around for thousands of years. The term masala chai is steeped with traditions of royalty and herbal medicine. Now popular around the world, the recipe for Masala Chai has many variations. I’m excited to share my recipe with friends and family.
photo thanks to pixabay
Made with candied ginger…
which I just happen to have on hand. I’ll use ½ cup for this recipe!
Fresh spices…
Cinnamon Stick (qty 2), Fennel Seed (3 tbsp.), Cardamon Pods (qty 36), Whole Cloves (1 ½ tsp), Whole Black Peppercorn (1 ½ tsp) and Coriander Seed (1 ½ tsp) are all toasted at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. It’s worth making the tea just for the fragrance, lol
Toasted and ready to roll…
using my handy rolling pin to break up the cinnamon sticks and slightly crush the spices.
Loose leaf Black tea…
(about 1 ½ cup) was combined with the spices and ginger. You won’t believe the aroma!
Time to bag it up…
these little bags should keep everything fresh. I rolled attached disposable teabags to the bags with tiny jute bows. I'll be using the recycled tea tins for the gifts to be mailed, perfect right?
Thrift stores can be a gold mine…
if you’re looking for unique tea cups and mugs. I accumulated several different cups for this group, each one unique to the recipient!
Did you know…
Tea Cup showers used to be held with each guest bringing a special tea cup and saucer for the bride-to-be. Included with the cup would be a piece of paper with one word written on it. This word would represent characteristics the new bride would need to have to achieve a happy lifetime with the groom-to-be. Words like humor, music, patience, unselfishness to name just a few. The bride would then have a beautiful collection of tea cups and saucers to begin her married life. It’s a lost tradition although my mother-in-law gave me several tea cups over the years some of which I have shared with you. They’re beautiful and I cherish them! Perhaps she had a tea cup shower when she was a bride-to-be.
My dear friends! The secret to a well-balanced life is a cup of tea and a good book!
They loved it! Some even asked for the recipe, lol. I can’t wait to share with family, nothing like curling up with a cup of tea during the holiday season. My gifts from the heart! Thank you for stopping by!
And as always, blessings to you all!
i LOVE my cup and tea and i'm so glad the ladies of your book club got to receive one as well! your homemade gifts are the best; we're still enjoying the Chai from Bird's Cafe! XOXO
oxoxox I love making gifts for you :) Glad you enjoyed the Chai! Love you and miss you oxoxoxox
Oh that looks super yum! I went to learn from a Punjabi friend about the art of Chai last week, and am planning a post to show how they do it. :) I'm delighted to see such diverse international flavours warming hearts on cool mornings and cold nights. Please DM if you need a mailing address for us... LOL.
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to me, handmade gifts are gifts from the heart :)
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This was absolutely delightful! I love the idea and I think I may have to steal it! I love ideas like this that are far and away from gifts that are useless and pretty. Thank you again for your awesome ideas - always!
Have a wonderful Sunday!
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