We’re already looking forward to the next phase of the year: the holidays. Between Starbucks showing off its holiday line and Walmart releasing its Christmas ice cream early, we’re pretty on board with starting Christmas in October.
Let’s be honest—2020 could use the cheer.
And now, as we eagerly await the Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas” (which starts on October 23, if you were wondering!), we’re ordering something to sip with our marathons: Hallmark Christmas tea. That’s right, the Hallmark Channel has its own tea line, and it’s as magical as the holidays themselves.
The Flavors of Hallmark Tea for 2020
The Republic of Tea is releasing a pair of “Countdown to Christmas Teas” that’ll totally put you in the holiday spirit, if you weren’t already gearing up to sing Christmas carols and watch your favorite Hallmark flicks. Both teas come in tins with 36 round tea bags and retail for $13 per tin.
“Countdown to Christmas” Cinnamon Vanilla Tea
The first is a cinnamon vanilla tea, which is a “rooibos-based, caffeine-free herbal tea [that] boasts the sweet scent of smooth vanilla and spicy cinnamon.” We can taste it already—and it tastes like Christmas cheer.
“Countdown to Christmas” Cardamom Cinnamon Tea
The second is a cardamom cinnamon tea, which is described as a “caffeine-free blend of warming cardamom, cinnamon, a pinch of ginger, as well as carob, chicory, black pepper, Chinese star anise, cloves and cassia oil.” How could you not want that in your life? Honestly, we’re more relaxed after having read the description.
Where Can I Buy Them?
If you’re as excited about these as we are, you’re probably wondering where you can pick them up. It shouldn’t be too surprising that you can snag ’em at The Republic of Tea’s website (where they’re both already available), but you can also find them at certain Hallmark Gold Crown stores and World Market stores.
If you don’t have a Hallmark or Cost Plus World Market store near you, that’s okay, because you can also order the teas on Hallmark’s website. They’re not on the site yet, but we bet they’ll be there soon!
Of course, any binge-watch also requires snacks. Here’s what we recommend munching on for the perfect Hallmark movie marathon.
Lemon Snowflakes
Snow plays a major theme in many Hallmark Christmas movies—whether it’s a major blizzard that keeps anyone from leaving the train or a soft snowfall in the background of a first kiss. Celebrate the magic of snow with these lemon cookies. Dressed in confectioners' sugar, they’re a sweet, “snow”-kissed treat. Once you've mastered snowflake cookies, try your hand at these yummy snowballs.
Touch-of-Gold Christmas Trees
Oh, Christmas tree! You are a beautiful sight. And in honor of all the Hallmark movie moments that take place at tree lightings or in tree lots, whip up a batch of these gold-flecked cookie trees. Did we mention that they’re stuffed with a chocolate-hazelnut spread? Yum! Find more Christmas tree-shaped recipes here.
Gingerbread Cottage
Between gingerbread baking competitions and treasured family recipes, Hallmark movies love this spicy-sweet treat. They also love romantic cottages where two protagonists almost instantly fall in love. Combine the dynamic duo into one quaint, gingerbread cottage. It’s almost too pretty to eat! Here's our step-by-step guide to making a gingerbread house.
Favorite Hot Chocolate
I’ll drink hot chocolate maybe once a year, but in Hallmark movies all bets are off. The characters drink copious amounts of the good stuff. And after trying our favorite hot chocolate recipe, you’ll want to join them.
Angel Food Christmas Candy
Christmas miracles do happen—but they’re particularly common in Hallmark movies. Celebrate the season of angels with this delicious angel food candy—it tastes just like the recipe grandma used to make.
Santa Sugar Cookies
Santa makes an appearance in many Hallmark holiday movies, so honor the big guy with these cute sugar cookies. They look challenging to make, but a heart cookie cutter is the secret that makes them easy to decorate.
Merry Grinchmas Cookies
Almost every Hallmark Christmas movie has a Grinch of some kind. Maybe it’s a money-hungry CEO desperate to take over a small-town cookie factory or a cynical writer who hates the holidays. Though they’re not the most popular characters, they do deserve some recognition—but only in the form of these Merry Grinchmas cookies.
Grandma's Christmas Spice Cutouts
Sometimes a main character needs a little push to fall in love or chase after their dreams. And many times in Hallmark movies, grandma gives that sage advice. This treasured family recipe is just as cozy as a warm hug from grandma. Get all of grandma's best recipes here.
Snowman Christmas Cookies
Do you want to build a snowman? Yes, we know that "Frozen" isn’t a Hallmark movie, but the channel’s holiday films do feature a number of the icy guys. Celebrate with these adorable snowman cookies. They’re fun to make (and decorate!).
Chocolate Caramel Kiss Cookies
You can bank on almost every Hallmark Christmas movie having a kiss at the end when the two main characters fall in love. These chocolate caramel kisses are just as sweet. Leftover kisses? Try making one of these sweet treats.
Gingerbread Christmas Cards
One of our favorite parts about Hallmark Christmas movies is that they seem to celebrate simpler times and traditions—including sending Christmas cards. These cookie cards look impressive, but with the help of edible food writing pens, they’re a breeze to decorate.
Christmas Lights Cookies
Christmas lights are magical—which is why they make an appearance in almost every Hallmark movie. You’ll see small towns dressed in their holiday best, trees wrapped in the glowing bulbs and a handful of angry neighbors who refuse to put up lights of their own. Regardless of the plot, these Christmas light cookies are a sweet addition to your Hallmark holiday spread.The post This New Hallmark Tea Is PERFECT for Your Christmas Movie Marathon appeared first on Taste of Home.
Emily Hannemann