I have often been asked about the differences between Christmas in France and the United States. And certainly one word comes to mind immediately: calm. It is pretty quiet around here.
In France, nearly everyone has stopped working. Most salaried positions have a two-week holiday.
And so it was not much of a surprise to see a large crowd gathered at the Place du Forum to watch an old-fashioned family circus perform.
People of all ages clapped and cheered as a loopy old clown rang bells.
Others gossiped leisurely at the café across the street.
The streets were nearly empty. Last minute shoppers strolled arm in arm, popping in and out of the small local boutiques.
Only the hair salons were abuzz as everyone (including Remi and I) got a final brushup for les fêtes.
And now, it is time to cook. Remi has thoughtfully planned out what should be a wonderful dinner for two: scallops stuffed with foie gras and wrapped in bacon to start followed by turbot in a langoustine bisque.
Champagne is being chilled.
In France, it is less about the presents, so there is no frenzy or marathon wrapping sessions. Actually, we are just giving each other two presents this year, one big and one small, something which is just fine by me.
Calm.
It is a gift in itself. Now it is time to exhale and be grateful for being here. For being.
“Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on,
Our troubles will be out of sight…”
We will be heading out tomorrow to spend Christmas with friends in Menton and then are heading up to the cottage in the Luberon for the end of the year. To rest. As always, the internet connection is touch and go there, so I am not sure if I will be posting or not.
So I will take this time to wish those that are celebrating a very Merry Christmas and to all…a Happy New Year! Thank you for being here…
With my Very Best Wishes from my family to yours,
Heather, Remi, Ben & Kipling
Merry Christmas, Heather, Remi, Ben and Kipling! The calm Christmas you describe sounds wonderful…room for awe (if one is so inclined) and savoring of the beauty all around. We are all gathered in a lovely little rental cottage in the Oakland hills…all nine of us, so there are periodic cacaphonies but it is merry! Except it feels like it could be any time of the year. I do love the sunshine and gentle smiles we have encountered in the City as well as in and around Berkeley and Oakland…and the doggies are having a great time running in the hills. I will be thinking of you as you kick back in the lovely Luberon. XOXOXO, Leslie, Scott, Henry and Bob…plus Emma, Johnny, Shadia and Fabien and Jabberwocky
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Merry Christmas and a very happy new year to you two and the lovely furry ones! You've chosen verses from my favourite Christmas song. I recently learned the original lyrics were so gloomy they have been revised several times over the years. The ones we now know were revised for Frank Sinatra who only agreed to record the song after some further toning down.
Merry Christmas, Heather. Today is calm as I do last minute prep for Christmas tonight. Tomorrow will be less so with 10 of us (including 2 little ones) gathered for dinner. But so much love mingles with the commotion. I wish you much joy and peace as you celebrate. Joyeux Noel.
Dear Heather, wishing you and Remi a very happy Christmas, and a time of peace and reflection and calm! Thank you for your blog posts, I always enjoy them with my morning coffee.
Cheers, Deborah from Melbourne.
Yes, it is calm. How wonderful! Merry Christmas, Heather!
Heather, thank you for this year of such lovely posts! They are quite thoughtful and thought-provoking and always artfully done! If that last picture isn't the epitome of calm, I don't know what is! 🙂
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Dear Heather,
My warmest good wishes for a very MERRY CHRISTMAS
and a healthy and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
JOYEUX NOËL !
Tres amicalement, Karin
Oh yes, my kind of Christmas. Calm. Wishing you health and happiness, Heather.
Sounds like the song, "all is calm, all is bright" . . .a beautiful day you have planned. I'll tip my bubbly glass tonight your direction as we begin a similar low-keyed holiday. Among my gifts are the friendships made along the way. . .I am so happy to have yous ~ albeit through your blog ~ a part of my life!