Day 20: The Story of Holly & Ivy

Day 20 of Advent

The Story of Holly & Ivy

Our mom always has always had a deep love for this Christmas story full of longing and lonely hearts united. She has valiantly tried to get most of us to name a granddaughter Ivy, after the orphan in this tale, but so far unsuccessfully. This story reminds us all to remember the lonely hearts at Christmas, and if you are one to reach out... another lonely heart is longing to share Christmas joy!

-MaryClaire

Include us in your day! Tag @piperandleaf and #piperandleafadvent

Scripture Reading for the Day

Matthew 1:22-23

22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”

Activity for Today

DIY Christmas Card

Use our colorable Christmas card or make your own with Holly and Ivy drawn or printed on the front, write your own Christmas greeting, then send it to a children’s home or foster child to spread holiday cheer to those who might feel lonely during this festive season.

Fostering and adoption has been a big part of our story and lives here at Piper and Leaf, so stories like this hit close to home for us. If you didn't know, at least 10% of all our profits go towards fostering and adoption initiatives, so when you purchase our tea, you are not only supporting us but you are also supporting kids in need of extra love and somewhere they can call home.

Color in this Christmas Card & Write a Thoughtful Note or Draw Your Own!

Keep it green with green tea, cardamom, and rosemary, brightened and softened with lemon and vanilla.

Let's spill the tea about Springdrop Spritzer...

A Springdrop Spritzer Pound Bag with lemons and herbs on a wooden table.

Eloquent Description

A delightful burst of new spring growth. Bold rosemary and peppermint notes tingle the tongue while crisp and calming Sencha tea carries the sensation to the final lingering of a perfect union of cardamom and lemon. This triumphant beginning fades to a playful linger of creamy citrus.

Ingredients

Sencha Green Tea
Rosemary
Lemon Rind
Cardamom
Peppermint
Lemon Oil
Organic Natural Flavor

Steeping Suggestions

For hot tea, steep one tea bag in 8 to 10oz of 212 water for 3.5 minutes. For iced, use half the water(same temp), steep for the same time, and add ice after you pull the tea bag out.

Someone Else's Thoughts

"This is a fabulous, unique flavor of green tea. I will be giving some to my mother-in-law who loves green tea, and I'm confident she will love it, too."
-Kathryn

All about The Story of Holly & Ivy

Fun Fact!
During the holidays, we also love the song "The Holly and the Ivy," although Caleb's favorite version is Bing Crosby's, "What child is this? / The Holly and the Ivy" mash up!
Listen to Caleb's favorite version of "The Holly and the Ivy," on YouTube!
The Story of Holly & Ivy
This is a story about wishing. It is also about a doll and a little girl. It begins with the doll.

Her name, of course, was Holly.
It could not have been anything else, for she was dressed for Christmas in a red dress, and red shoes, though her petticoat and socks were green.
She was ten inches high and carefully jointed; she had real gold hair, brown glass eyes, and teeth like tiny china pearls.

It was the morning of Christmas Eve, the last day before Christmas. The toys in Mr. Blossom's toy shop in the little country town stirred and shook themselves after the long night. "We must be sold today," they said.

"Today?" asked Holly. She had been unpacked only the day before and was the newest toy in the shop.
About the Author
Margaret Rumer Godden (1907–1998) was a creative British author who wrote over 60 books, from exciting novels to heartwarming stories for kids. You might recognize her most famous works, Black Narcissus and The River, which both turned into movies!
Growing up in India, where her dad worked, Margaret’s childhood was filled with adventure. She later went back to India to start a dance school, but she couldn’t stay away from writing! Her stories are filled with the sights, smells, and colors of India, and her children’s books, like The Diddakoi, dive into the hopes and dreams of young characters.
In her later years, she even got interested in Catholicism, which inspired her to write about spiritual life in books like In This House of Brede. Margaret’s books still captivate readers today with their rich characters and vivid settings that transport you to another world!