Traditions and Christmas Tea at the Heathman Hotel.

One of my favorite things to do in Portland this time of year is go to the Heathman Hotel for Christmas Tea. Both of my daughters worked at the Heathman while attending college, so it's extra special to go back and enjoy the giant Christmas tree and all of the decorations, along with the fabulous food served at this event. (Sadly, I somehow forgot my camera, so the picture above was taken with my daughter's phone...but you get the idea of just how splendid the Heathman is....the photo was taken from the Mezzanine level above the enormous Christmas tree.)

 Attending the Christmas Tea reminded us all of a story from our past....

When my girls were very young, (my oldest daughter was in kindergarten) I came up with the idea to host our very own Christmas Tea at our home. I would let my girls invite two little friends and their mama's, and I would invited two friends and their daughters. Eventually we moved the party to celebrate Valentine's Day, as Christmas became far to busy as my three children got older.

Oh, such fond memories! This tradition lasted until my girls got to about middle school. One day near Thanksgiving, my middle daughter matter of factly informed me the girls didn't want to do the dress-up-all-foofy-in-our-Sunday-best-and-invite-our-friends thing any more, and therefore we would not be doing Christmas Tea any longer. I was informed that it just wasn't "cool". She also informed me that my older daughter was simply to chicken to tell me, for fear of hurting my feelings, and so she stepped up to the plate to handle the situation. (Aaah, those years with two pre-teen daughters....more fond memories.)

Needless to say, I took it personally and was momentarily crushed. (I can be quite dramatic myself on occasion) The Mother Daughter Tea tradition stopped. Yesterday, as we sat having our tea and finger sandwiches, we were going down memory lane, discussing this and we all had a really good laugh. To everything there is a season, I guess!

Anyway. Back to the story...

Years passed, and then, along came the Heathman Tea. The first year I attended this event with my girls was the Christmas after my oldest daughter graduated college, if I am not mistaken. This year the Sewing Queen and our sweet friend Ella (who is 96 years young) joined us for Christmas Tea at the Heathman and we all had a wonderful time. It appears that this may become an annual tradition (at least for now anyway) that I am living here.

Do you have any Christmas season traditions like this one? Any that have come and gone and come back again? I'd love to hear all about them!!

Comments

[Marietta Hoschak]

Oh my gosh... that is sooooo pretty....Merry Christmas and many blessings....

[Cathy Miller]

How elegant and fun and grown up!! I used to host a Mother-Daughter Christmas tea for my middle school girls' Sunday School class, but I don't teach them anymore. I think the mothers and I enjoyed it more than the girls, but I did love it. So glad you and your ladies were able to have a good time together in such a wonderful setting.

[Missy]

I love the Heathman Hotel! How fun!

[kathy]

Enough can't be said for traditions. We've always centered our traditions around family. Once my children hit middle school I realized it was time to add one more tradition that didn't include my children. I already new I would feel a little sad when they were grown and they would probably have to relocate as adults. That's when I found a lovely historic inn in an old town with lots of little shops. My husband and I have been going there for about 15 years. We always go two weeks before Christmas and stay in the Charles Dickens room...he stayed there while on one of his reading tours. This year was the first time two of my buddies are out of state so it really helped curb feeling sorry for myself. Tomorrow they both fly in and I'm VERY excited!!!!

Your new tradition looks like a keeper.
Best,
Kathy

[Lori]

Oh how beautiful! This is my first visit to your blog, what a pretty one to start with. Unfortunately for me there is no place like the Heathman here where I live. I felt your sadness when your daughter told you they didn't want to go anymore. My daughter is 18 and I am grateful that she is ready to attend more formal events again.

[Sue]

This photo might have been taken with a phone, but it is GORGEOUS! Wish I had gone to this hotel when I lived in the PNW. :(
Sue

[AJ Finsand]

Ahhhhhh yes, Christmas Tea at the Heathman! What a wonderful holiday tradition! I have MANY fond memories of the Heathman as I worked there for a couple of years when it first re-opened. We celebrated MANY a staff birthday party and bridal shower in the lobby lounge of the Heathman.

My son was 2, and he could sit and listen to Daryl Kaufmann paly classical music on that grand piano for HOURS! One of my favorite pictures is of Elliot sitting on Daryl's lap and plinking out his weekly piano lesson to show Daryl.

He never followed through with his piano, but 'going to the Heathman' was ALWAYS something special. He even requested dinner at the Heathman for his third birthday; (over going to Chucky Cheese or McDonalds!) which is pretty unheard of in three year old world.

Thanks for the trip downmemory lane, and sharing your new holiday traditions.

aj