Holiday Tea at The Four Seasons Philadelphia |

The most magical day of the year! Christmas Tea 2010

Do you have a precious holiday memory from your childhood? I have worked diligently to create so many for my children, from the smell of cinnamon and cloves throughout the house from Thanksgiving to New Years, to all of the home baked cookies we make, peppermint bark, decorating with fruits, cutting down our tree (yeah, forget that this year), decorating with fruits and greens, and The Wonderland Tea at The Four Seasons in Philadelphia.

If you have never experienced this event, or have never heard about it, there is a reason: it is the best kept secret in Philadelphia! Nearly impossible to obtain a reservation, throughout the month of December, this is the HOTTEST ticket in town. Wonderland Tea is only available on Saturdays beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving through December. It is a children’s tea. There is only ONE day to make reservations. It is usually the 2nd Tuesday (don’t quote me) in October. There is a hotline # setup for tea only and the entire month is booked in an hour after the phone lines open. It is a very small window and makes for an exclusive event!

The desserts!

We first attended when my youngest was 3 or 4. She was a little squirmy, although she enjoyed every minute. We felt the next year that we would do something else, so we left the youngest at home and went to The Rittenhouse. As we passed The Four Seasons, my older daughter, probably 6 at the time, sighed, “That’s where I am supposed to be.” The rest is history! The Wonderland Tea has been a tradition ever since.

The day begins with my girls’ favorite; vanilla tea and champagne for the ladies. but of course…

Everyone is dressed to the nines! I am searching as I write this for a picture from their younger years where they were still cute enough to get decked out! Tea sandwiches are served, followed by assorted scones and desserts. Alice in Wonderland roams the room taking pictures with all of the girls. Each girl receives a copy of the photo in a paper frame. After dessert, the Nutcracker Dancers perform. Since we are pros, we know just the perfect time to strategically move the girls into position for the best seat. The children are enchanted by the performance and when it ends they rush forward with their paper framed picture and pens to gather autographs from the dancers.

Always a treasured gift

Each child receives a wonderful take away. Amongst the gifts have been: A Four Seasons Christmas Bear, A Royal Tea Set, The Nutcracker the book and last year’s gift; an MP3 player engraved with “Four Seasons Philadelphia.”

YAY! I found past pictures:

Enjoying marshmallows