On Saturday, December 1, 2012 from 12 – 2 p.m., the Heritage Museums and Gardens of Dorchester will host a Full Holiday Tea in the Robbins Heritage Center. This tea will feature a wide assortment of special finger sandwiches and delectable desserts.

Opening the event, there will a holiday decorating demonstration by Linda Brewer of Garden Treasures in Easton. Ms. Brewer will show different techniques for making your holiday preparations outstanding. She will also answer questions that pertain to holiday decorating.

Costumed docents will serve the guests, while harpist Betty Boda will play Christmas music in the background. It promises to be a relaxing enjoyable event to kick off the holiday season. This event would make a special pre-Christmas present.

As an added bonus, local authors will be on hand to autograph their books which will be for sale just in time for Christmas. Ann Foley and Terry White will be in attendance with their new release A Dorchester County Scrapbook, which is fast becoming a local favorite. Another local fixture, Hal Roth will be on hand to chat.

Be sure to visit the Museum Shop to fulfill some of your gift buying needs. This shop is unique, mixing the past with the present. Gently used, out of print, local books are on display beside current local ones. Special antiques with a focus on Dorchester are sure to appeal to the person who has everything. Heirloom seeds, beautifully packaged, are ready for the 2013 growing season. Antique glassware, linens and Christmas china will set the stage for your holiday meals. Oyster plates and cans make wonderful gifts.

To help the museum decorate its tree, bring a vintage ornament (one before bar codes were common) and you will receive Heritage Bucks for use in the Museum Shop. For every ornament exchanged, you will receive 1% off of your sales total. Limits apply.

For information or to reserve a spot, call 410.228.7953 or email dchs@verizon.net. Cost is $25/members, $30/nonmembers. Ask about offers to join at this time. Space is limited, reserve early. The Heritage Museums and Gardens of Dorchester is located at 1003 Greenway Drive, off of Maryland Avenue East in Cambridge.