How about a little Happy New Cheer?

This year, (or should it be next year?), why not throw a late-afternoon tea party on New Year's Eve? It is quite common to take afternoon tea about 5 pm, but it is less common to invite friends to celebrate the past year's achievements and welcome the new opportunities of 2016. Don't forget to invite people using the internet, too. You can make iced tea beforehand according to your favourite recipes - add lemon and other fruits to give it extra interest. Then, of course, brew your favourite hot teas after the guests arrive. Use your best teapots (nicely warmed), and have plenty of varieties such as Contenttea (hooray), English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Mango Surprise and Darjeeling. Prepare some delicacies to accompany the tea. Perhaps, some thinly-sliced and peeled cucumber and cottage cheese on brown or white bread, or even on crackers. Maybe some chilled melon balls with mint, peach slices, or yellow mango chunks and sticky rice should also be available. Make sure your camera is ready to go, and get the playpen out for those toddlers that have to come with mum! Share everything with those who could not attend, and ask them if they might like to come next time. Happy New Cheer!