Literary Tea Time

Want to add a little whimsy to your life? Deck out your table, bake something and boil some water for tea, coffee or cocoa. Then to make yourself the protagonist to your literary life! Invite some friends over and share stories, picture books, poetry and thoughts about the authors.

Memorize poems, and share them, write your own poems, stories, songs and read them aloud. Create on the spot poems, stories, songs or just bring you favorite book to share. A literary tea can be whatever you make of it. You can mix it up, make it seasonal, holiday filled, geographical or cultural. Occasionally we add in themed crafts and games as well.

Literary Tea Time has been a staple in our house hold for several years now. It is funny how time flies; just yesterday my girls were just cherubs in sun dresses and onesies, sipping on lemonade and getting the crumbs all over as I read aloud sing-songy nursery rhymes and silly poems.

Now they are older, the table more decorated and the snacks more decadent, the poems and stories longer and more rife with deep issues of the day. Sometimes they are from a around the world, sometimes historical, sometimes fairy tale, and others just plain silly. The key is make the power of the written word as cozy and delightful as can be.

This doesn’t have to be for children alone. Many a friends I have gotten together with for a spot of tea, a well decorated table and some themed snacks to fit the current story. Conversation is peppered with thoughts about the theme of a story or what the protagonist was thinking or what an antagonist motive was. Literary Tea Time is just a glorified book club that is occasionally accompanied with poetry, games, crafts and holiday fun.

Every year my friend and I round up our kids to hold a British Tea Time with Christmas poems. We open crackers and share picture books that share facts about England and the way they celebrate the holidays. This years we are changing it up and will be having a Chanukah Tea Time with books, games and information about the holiday. We love to celebrate books around here. How do you celebrate and brings books to life?

Feel free to check me out at @mybookstagramlife from more inspiration for Literary Tea Times!