Brochure and complimentary teapot from High Tea at Cuthbert’s Tea Shoppe. Photo: Elizabeth Urbach.
Looking for holiday activities in the San Jose area? The Christmas season is one of the most popular times of the year for special tea parties. Almost every tea shop in the Santa Clara Valley offers a special seasonal menu, and various museums and historic houses also schedule tea events. Enjoy a holiday tea at one or more of the following places:
1. Heritage Holiday Tea and Tours at the Fallon House, Saturday, December 1, 2012. Tickets are $45 and include tours of the Fallon House and validated parking. Seatings are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and tickets can be reserved by sending checks to History San Jose, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose, 95113; by email or by calling Juanita Lara at 408.918.1045.
Thomas and Carmel Fallon House
175 W. St. John St.,
San Jose, CA
(408) 918-1045
From last year’s event: “San Jose’s Fallon House hosts Heritage Holiday Champagne Tea and Tours”
2. Children’s Holiday Tea with Santa at Rosewood Sand Hill, Menlo Park, CA, Saturday, Dec 1 1:30p to 3:30p. “Children can enjoy Holiday Tea with Santa while Santa himself shares holiday stories such as The Nutcracker. As they listen, the kids will sip hot cocoa and tea, and munch on a selection of tea sandwiches and sweets. Champagne will be available for adults. The kids will take home a teddy bear and share their holiday spirit with the children of The Ronald McDonald House in the form of handwritten holiday notes that Rosewood Sand Hill will attach to teddy bears it is donating to the organization.”
Rosewood Sand Hill
2825 Sand Hill Rd.
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 561-1500
3. Children’s Sugar Plum Fairy Tea at Lisa’s Tea Treasures at Santana Row in San Jose, Wednesday, December 5th & 12th, 4:00pm – 5:30pm. For $31.95 per person plus tax and tip. “The SUGAR PLUM FAIRY will visit our tearoom to enchant youngsters (ages 5-10). They will be served tea as the SUGAR PLUM FAIRY visits each table, then gather for a magic show, singing, dancing and a Holiday story. Parents may accompany their children if they wish (they will be served the Victorian Noel Tea) or leave them in the capable hands of the tea ladies.” Call 247.3613 for reservations; credit card number required to make a reservation.
Lisa’s Tea Treasures
1145 Olsen Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128
ph. (408)247-3613
4. Holiday Candlelight Tea at Lisa’s Tea Treasures at Santana Row. Thursday, December 6th & 13th, 6:00 p.m. “A perfect respite for busy shoppers and theater goers. Enjoy a complimentary glass of of champagne, soup, waldorf salad, holiday tea sandwiches, scone, holiday dessert and pot of tea.” $31.95 per person plus tax and gratuity. Please call for reservations: 247-3613. A credit card number is required to guarantee your reservation.
Lisa’s Tea Treasures
1145 Olsen Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128
ph. (408)247-3613
5. Victorian Noel Gala at Lisa’s Tea Treasures at the Pruneyard in Campbell. Friday Dec 7 and 14 at 7:00, 7:15, and 7:30 p.m. Seatings: 7:00, 7:15, 7:30. Featuring “Champagne, candlelight, music and a 5 course dinner (soup, salad, sorbet, entree with side dishes and dessert)” for $44.95 per person.
Lisa’s Tea Treasures
1875 S. Bascom Avenue #165,
Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: (408) 371-7377
“Review: Lisa’s Tea Treasures – Campbell location”
6. Farmhouse Christmas Tea Luncheons at Yerba Buena Nursery in Redwood City. Friday, Dec 7 through Sunday December 9, and Friday, December 14 through Sunday, December 16, at 12:30 p.m. Price: $50 per person, reservations required. “Join us for a hot luncheon at Yerba Buena Nursery. This three course meal is accompanied by our holiday “Tea of Good Tidings,” served within our 1905 Victorian farmhouse. Reservations are required, guests age 12 and over are welcome.”
Yerba Buena Nursery
19500 Skyline Blvd.
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 851-1668
7. Sugar Plum Teas at Lisa’s Tea Treasures at the Pruneyard in Campbell. December 11 & 12, at 4:15 p.m. for $29.95 per person. “Children ages 5 -11 take tea with the proprietress Dale Ann, decorate Christmas cupcakes and enjoy special entertainment by the Holiday Fairy!”
Lisa’s Tea Treasures
1875 S. Bascom Avenue #165,
Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: (408) 371-7377
“Review: Lisa’s Tea Treasures – Campbell location”
8. Holiday Tea of Good Tidings at Thyme for Tea in Niles. Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16, 2012; 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. seatings. $38 per person. Menu includes: Cinnamon Rose Holiday Tea or coffee, Cranberry scone with raspberry butter, an assortment of tea sandwiches and savories, a Christmas petit-four, Snowball cookie, Holiday truffle and Charlotte’s fudge.
Tyme for Tea & Co.
37501 Niles Blvd.
Fremont, CA. 94536 (510) 790-0944
9. Afternoon Tea at Cuthbert’s Tea Shoppe at The Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace. Weekends, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from the Friday after Thanksgiving to the Sunday before Christmas. Be sure to make your reservations in advance to secure a table! Admission to the Dickens Fair is $25 at the door; afternoon tea is around $29 per person.
The Cow Palace Exhibition Halls
2600 Geneva Avenue
Daly City, CA
“How to have afternoon tea at the Dickens Fair in San Francisco”
“Review: Cuthbert’s Tea Shoppe at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair”
10. The Spirit of Christmas Teas at Lisa’s Tea Treasures at the Pruneyard in Campbell. November 23 through the end of the year. Includes Victorian Noel Spiced Plum Tea, Scent of Christmas scone with cream and preserves, White Christmas Soup, Delight of the Season spiced sweet potato savory, Visions of Christmas tea sandwiches, and Petite Christmas Log chocolate raspberry Yule log cake for $29.95.
Lisa’s Tea Treasures
1875 S. Bascom Avenue #165,
Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: (408) 371-7377
“Review: Lisa’s Tea Treasures – Campbell location”
11. GBACG New York Society Tea at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco, Saturday, December 29, from 1:30 – 4:00pm. Hosted by the Greater Bay Area Costumers’ Guild (GACG); tea served at 2 pm in the Garden Court. “Join the best of New York Society as Mrs. Astor hosts a first class holiday tea at the Palace Hotel. The glowing, golden Garden Court will sparkle with fine china and silver as a delicate parade of tea sandwiches and homemade scones — complete with Devonshire cream, lemon curd and rose petal jam — delight your palate. The Garden Court offers a fine selection of teas, from classic blends to creative, modern infusions. Costumes are required for this event. Please select fashionable attire from 1870 – 1895. Please arrive on time, as tea service will begin promptly at 2 pm. You may want to arrive early to take photos at the Palace. Tickets: Advance tickets are required for this event. The deadline to purchase tickets is Thursday, December 13, 2012. GBACG members $65, Non-members $75, Children $60.
Garden Court, Palace Hotel,
2 New Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105
Copyright 2012, Elizabeth Urbach.
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For more information:
“San Jose’s newest tea shop: Satori Tea Bar”
“Review: afternoon tea at Satori Tea Bar”
“Tea and San Jose’s Christmas in the Park”
“Review: Afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge in San Jose’s Fairmont Hotel”
“Tea-tasting San Jose area destinations: Peet’s Coffee & Tea downtown San Jose”
“Review: tea tasting at Peet’s Coffee & Tea’s downtown San Jose store”
The Hour For Tea 