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With Cold & Flu season upon us get prepared with Bigelow Tea! A cup of tea is just like a hug from Grandma – warm and comforting! For me, never a truer line was written. Grandmas always gave the bestest hugs. Grandmas are Moms but they come with way more hugging experience.

My grandma was truly one of a kind. She stood all of 5′ nothing with her pink and sometimes purple hair sporting her cat rimmed glasses while carrying 873 crumbled tissues in her purse, a packet of jelly and a pouch of tea. She truly was a pistol and not a day goes by that I don’t miss her. This woman would give you the shirt off of her back, give you her last slice of bread and offer to make you a cup of tea while you took a break from life. See Grandma loved her tea and to her it was more than just a warm drink. To her it was bonding time, stuff you drank while “kabitzing” at the kitchen table and something you drank every single day. Now even though Grandma has been gone 20+ years it’s because of her I drink tea every single day. And for me my tea of choice is Bigelow Tea. There are a ton of flavors to choose from and knowing that it’s a company that’s been in business for over 70 years, it’s easily become a brand I trust! The Bigelow Tea Family is 3 generations deep. Each tea packet is in foil packaging thus keeping it fresh. Plus it’s US manufactured. Definitely check out their Tea Proudly Website where you can find out more about their Mission, their Tea Pioneers, how Quality is about the details and that flavors matter. It’s pretty interesting!

So true story – growing up, you know how at the beginning of the school year you’d go to the stores, get your new clothes, shoes and pens/pencils? Yeah so I did that but my Grandma didn’t stop with just the beginning of the school year. You see because she was so into tea, she created “Winter Baskets”.

Now when you read that you probably thought in this basket there were cookies, Christmas items or something for decorating, right? Yeah no. They were actually baskets of various teas, a new tea cup (every year I got a new one), knitted booties for my feet, some cough drops and either a coloring book with crayons or a tablet and colored pencils. You see Grandma was all about preparing folks for the Cold & Flu season. When you’re sick, tea provides warmth and comfort; it’s soothing.

I can remember sleeping over at her house practically every weekend and twice a day – for breakfast and after dinner we’d have a cup of tea. Both instances we’d be in our nighties, sitting at the kitchen table while the kettle heated up. She set out 2 of her ‘pretty’ tea cups, grab the bottle of honey, the milk and 2 slices of lemon. I was in charge of putting the tea bags in the cups while she poured the hot water. We’d sit there and kabitz while we’d slowly dunk our tea up and down in the water for 3-4 minutes. She’d squeeze out my tea bag so I wouldn’t burn my fingers, she’d pour in the milk (from the little white ceramic cow pitcher) and I’d squeeze in the honey – a little for her, a lot for me (because it’s honey and I was like 7). The lemon would get squeezed into the cup and then laid on the saucer; never on the table. We’d then sit there slowly sipping our tea and, depending on the time of day it was, talk about what we were going to do for the day or talk about what all we accomplished. God what I wouldn’t give for one more kitchen table kabitz like that..

Even though Grandma is gone I still make up these Winter Baskets – even if it’s one just for the house. Now I can’t knit so unless you want 2 bundles of crumpled yarn to stick your feet in, you you’re getting fuzzy socks. Also in my baskets I put plenty of tissues, a new tea cup, some cough drops (though I’ll be honest I tend to only buy the kind I like – honey lemon with the soothing creamy center), a movie just because when you’re sick all you want to do is lie in bed in your fuzzy socks, under the covers, drinking hot tea and watching a movie. Lastly I include plenty of Bigelow tea.

I personally shop weekly at my local Walmart because it’s fast, convenient and the prices are incredible. You know me, I don’t have much free time so thankfully Walmart marks their aisles with huge markers denoting what’s located in that aisle. Now finding the tea is easy; choosing which flavors I to buy – yeah that’s the tough part. They are all so good! It’s tough to make a decision. My personal favs though are the Chocolate Chai, Lemon Ginger, Earl Grey and Peppermint. SUPER delish!

Plus let’s be honest a cup of hot tea soothes the throat and warms the body on chilly winter days. Also, perhaps at times even more important, it can promote relaxation. And in a world where we are all so busy, it’s nice to sit back, put on our fuzzy socks, grab a cup of warm Bigelow tea and relax! And check this out! If you use Ibotta (which you seriously should!) you can get $.75 off any box! Ibotta – $0.75 off any box of Bigelow Tea Don’t forget to use my Referral code rkhavaw when you join so you can be a part of the TKW Family!

Even right now, as I’m typing this up I’m having a cup of lemon ginger tea. It’s funny as I didn’t think about “how” I drink my tea until I started typing this. I drink mine EXACTLY like Grandma did. Almost all tea flavors (with the exception of a peppermint a few others) my tea must have honey (never sugar), creamer and lemon. Always. That’s how Grandma made it for me. It’s chilly out and it’s one of my ways I unwind on a Sunday night. It’s warm and soothing, almost like that hug from grandma. Plus honestly with so many people sick right now annnnnnnnd the fact that I still haven’t went to get my flu and pneumonia shot (I know, I know – I’m going tomorrow), I want to make sure I’m prepared for the cold and flu season. Soon Mr. Fantabulous will be home and we can curl up in bed, watch a movie (I’m thinking Christmas cartoon – because let’s face it, you’re never too old for Christmas cartoons) and sipping another cup of tea.

Choosing Bigelow is savvy, smart, in the know. And that by choosing Bigelow, you “TEA PROUDLY.” This cold and flu season get prepared and make up a few of these adorable little baskets. It’s thoughtful and honestly, really appreciated – especially when you’re sick! Also while you’re getting prepared to Cold & Flu season make sure to check Bigelow Tea out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Give them some love ♥ while you’re there!

Now, what will you put in your “Winter Baskets”?

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