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When temperatures dip outdoors, there's nothing quite like a nice cup of hot tea. Whether you drink black tea to start the day, chamomile tea to relax you at night or tea with lemon and honey to soothe a scratchy throat, the warm beverage provides a cozy sense of comfort, made even better by the fact that it's good for you.

But, as anyone who's ever thrown an imaginary childhood tea party knows, what makes tea even more enjoyable is the way it's presented. And that's where the teapot comes in.

From classic, antique vessels to contemporary designs, teapots come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles to turn anyone's teatime into a special occasion.

Paul Blackwell, who owns the Tohono Chul Park Tea Room with his wife, Janet, said taking time to drink from a teapot rather than microwaving a cup of water can make the experience all the more relaxing.

"It's a little neater and more fun that way," he said.

Blackwell said he keeps a variety of antique teapots on display at the tea room, since they also can make great conversation pieces.

Popular collectors' items, even among some non-tea drinkers, teapots also have artistic appeal, according to Vicki Schwager, owner of Details Art and Design, which sells some functional teapots as well as non-functional teapot-inspired art pieces.

"Artistically, the form of the teapot lends itself to a great deal of exaggeration and fun," Schwager said.

So whether you're a true tea drinker who wishes to sip in style or a collector in search of a unique piece to dress up a shelf or table, here are a few choices that can help make teatime special.