An Afternoon Tea.

1:10 PM

A few days ago, I went out with my mom, aunt, and sister to this lovely tea place that we've been to a couple of times before and have been making a tradition of going to every year during the holidays. So, I thought I'd give you a little look into our afternoon!

Secret Garden Tea Room and Gift Shop... all festive for the holiday season

My favorite part about going to this tea place is that they're so festive during the holiday season. It's such a gorgeous old-style house to begin with, but there are so many little touches added in that make you feel cozy and warmly invited. It's the picturesque vision you imagine when you think of going out to tea in a Victorian mansion during Christmastime.

The inside is absolutely beautiful. You're immediately greeted with a dark wood staircase, with ribboned garland winding up the banister (although the upstairs is the private living quarters, so it's strictly off-limits) and the same garland decorated throughout the rest of the downstairs. There's also a luminous chandelier hanging overhead, and the ceiling adorned with vintage dark floral wallpaper.

Once we were brought to our table and we sat down, we were soon brought our orders, along with some delightful scones to snack on (not pictured.)

I am actually not a fan of tea, but what I love about this place is that they also have an option to bring you a pot of hot chocolate. A POT. Of hot chocolate! Bless this place. And it's good hot chocolate, too. Not everyone can master the art of making a really good hot chocolate, but this place does it perfectly.

My favorite part of the meal, a warm cup of hot chocolate.

After we had a while to casually sit and talk and have our tea/hot chocolate, it was time for the main course. Two 3-tier servers were brought out, each level filled with an assortment of mini-delicacies.

Delicious bread and mini-sandwiches on the bottom...

... followed by fruit and mini meatballs.

And finally, yummy treats!

Everything was so good, and by the end (and over a pot of hot chocolate later) we are all so stuffed. After we were ready to go, we decided to wander and admire the house a little bit more. In the main room, there was a beautiful towering Christmas tree, decorated with lights and ribbons and candles and ornaments.