November 28, 2023
by Abby Morrison
Cheesy holiday rom-coms hold a special place in the hearts of many. For some, it's not really the holiday season until they've managed to snuggle into their warmest, softest blanket with their coziest pajamas, a cup of hot tea or cocoa, and a box of tissues (no, you're crying!).
If you're a part of that crowd, you've probably fantasized about making that kind of Christmas-y fantasy life a reality. Well, we can't promise you a royal wedding and a free castle, but we can do our part to help your Christmas dreams come true. Welcome to our Ultimate Tea-sy Holiday Rom-Com Gift Guide, where you'll find ideas for every hot hometown friend-next-door, workaholic protagonist, and quirky best friend. Let's get started.
The Workaholic Protagonist
Every cheesy holiday movie needs a hero, right? Usually, this person is a workaholic who thought they had it all, someone who, after a rather sharp downward turn, has lost it all and needs to build themself back up from square one usually in their small and rustic hometown around Christmas, of course.
Well, hopefully, your loved ones aren't having quite so hard a time, but for the ones you love who love the hustle, we've got some great options, including a variety of
travel mugs and tumblers for on-the-go sipping and loads of
samplers stuffed to the brim with quick and easy tea bags.
Help them relax and rewind after a long day at the office with
herbal teas, or help them kick that coffee habit with our
Coffee Addict sampler.
The Home Town Hottie
You can't have a rom-com with just one lead, so every cheesy Holiday movie inevitably has to have a love interest.
This person is often the friend-next-door that was beneath the protagonist's notice before. Now our hero's old town friend has had the best glow-up our ill-fated protagonist has ever seen and not that the hometown hunk would ever brag about it, of course they've probably come into whatever insane family business inheritance or land parcel was waiting for them once they got older.
They love the simple things and, since there has to be at least one scene out in the rural splendor of their beautiful, snow-dusted hometown, they probably love the outdoors and flannel. Bottom line, if you've got an outdoorsy special someone in your life, we've got you covered. Try our new
Chaga Chai with real Chaga mushrooms, or rich, earthy blends like
Oolongs and
Pu-Erhs.
The Besties
Falling in love is never as easy as Act One makes it seem, and when the going gets tough, holiday movie protagonists know just who to call. These quirky side characters know the innermost secrets, flaws, and shining qualities of the protagonist, and love our hero all the same. They add humor and brightness when things get hard and are always there to show the protagonist what really matters most.
If you want to support your squad, consider making them some
Custom Blends. You can make a blend that's as unique as they are, or find them a special something from their
favorite fandom. Or, if you want to find something new to help strengthen your bonds, consider joining the
Tea of the Month club together. It's a great excuse to try something new, give them a call, or hangout to try new teas in person.
The Co-Workers
Having a workaholic protagonist almost certainly means there's a workplace involved (often with a looming deadline set to overlap with Christmas Eve, of course). These co-workers and bosses keep the protag on track, but at least some of them usually know how to kick back and have a good time, too.
If you're looking to be the best secret Santa ever, consider our unique
ceramic infusers, with designs to fit anyone in your office, or help even your Grinch-iest co-worker get into the spirit with one of our
seasonal winter teas.
The Fam
Rom coms are about two people coming together. And you can't do that without bringing in that all-important element: the fam. From oddball siblings to goofy aunts and uncles to tradition-loving parents, no holiday rom-com is complete without a little bit of family time.
Whether you're looking to make a great first impression on some new family or just want to deepen the bonds with the family you have, we've got some great ideas for you. For people who love all the traditions and rituals that come with Christmas, try our teaware, including our
Yixing,
Cast Iron, and
Glazed Iron teapots.
Also remember to check out our beautiful
Matcha bowls(
Matcha accessories sold separately). Or, make it easy by picking up the
Matcha Gift Set.
For a more nostalgic gift, remind them of all the Christmases you've already shared with the nostalgic scents and flavors captured in our
Christmas Teas Sampler and a
Holiday Cheer assortment (peppermint and gingerbread? Yes please!).
The Townspeople
Last, but certainly not least, we wanted to call attention to the townspeople. These heroes do their oft-seen but rarely-rewarded work in the background, running hot cocoa stands, decorating the town for the tree-lighting ceremony, and bringing out their finest holiday sweaters as they walk along in the background. These people are the life blood of the community the protagonist falls in love with, and there are plenty of people like them wherever you go.
If you'd like to thank your local teacher, postman, retail worker, or shop owner, consider getting them a
Stocking Stuffers or gift samplers to say thanks.
And, since the holidays are all about connecting with the people we love, why not take it one step further and consider signing yourself and your loved ones (be they love interests, family, friends, or otherwise) up for our
CommuniTEA Club. Join tea lovers around the globe as you share new teas every day of your selected month. Find new favorites, share photos and reviews, and make the world a little more cozy together.
Make shopping even sweeter! Earn prizes with every order
tis the season of gifts with
these gifts with every purchase.
We hope you've enjoyed this gift guide and that it helps you make your holidays just a little sweeter, warmer, and bright. Happy Holidays (and don't forget to invite us if you do get that castle)!