Luxury hotels that capture the essence of the Holiday with elegant décor.
The snow covered trees outside of the concept store, Merci.
Winter white and pure gold that decorate the inside of the Shangri-La.
Charming quartettes serenading shoppers with Christmas classics at Printemps.
Luxurious shops along Saint Honoré like Caron with their mesmerizing winter scenes.
Children who begrudgingly comply with parent’s wishes to sit on Santa’s lap.
Christmas markets across the city offering delicious treats of vin chaud and pain d’épices which warm my hands and delight my palette despite the cold winter evenings.
Ladurée who dazzles each passerby to spontaniously decide that this moment is as good as any to stop for a treat.
And then another….
And how about some more?
Hermès for drapping us with dreams of luxury in the window decorations by world renowned artist Leila Menchari.
And who inspires my Christmas Wish List to reach new heights.
Despite each of these wonderful things in Paris, my #1 favorite thing is spending time with close friends and family… and my cat. And chocolate.
Last year I watched my family open presents from Skype while I was wrapped up in a huge pile of blankets, cold and lonely in Provence. Missing out this year was not an option. So today I’m off to the USA to spend the Holidays with my family. Next time you hear from me, I’ll be sitting near the Christmas tree sipping hot chocolate dowsed in marshmellows and listening to Christmas classics…. all the while overflowing with Christmas Spirit.
May you have a wonderful Holiday Season filled to the brim with happiness and cheer!
What are a few of your favorite things?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
How beautiful!!! I understand the Skype Christmas-I will be doing that this year as last year I was lucky enough to be home. Have a safe flight and a great Christmas with the family!!
Hold those memories tight! They’ll make this Christmas extra warm. Hope you still find ways to make this one special.
Gorgeous photos – love the string quartet especially!
Glad to have found you on twitter and your blog – holidays can be tough when you’re far away from family Have a *great* visit to the U.S. this year! Cheers.
Glad you found me too! The quartette was one of my favorite moments
from the photos above. Such a classy delight!
The Paris lights for Christmas really are beautiful, I thought! There’s almost all white across the city which I think adds a certain elegance that gaudier holiday displays can lack. I didn’t like those trees covered in fake “snow” that I saw in Paris though, because since it was raining, the sidewalk become covered in the melted plastic or paint or whatever it was!
You are too right about Laduree as well — I remember thinking to myself how overrated and overhyped the whole macaron thing is, and then I passed Laduree and couldn’t stop myself from going in. The salted caramel ones are fantastic!
Have a great holiday back home!
After my “un-Christmas” last year, I have been especially excited for gaudy and tacky and way-over-the-top Christmas decorations. It’s fun driving around the area trying to find the most elaborate displays that must cost a fortune in electricity bills, time spent setting up, and money spent on all the lights and figurines. While I would never want my own front yard to look that way, I’m glad some people do!
Hope you have a great Christmas season, no matter the decor that surrounds us!
Your Christmas photos are so so beautiful! The decorations at the Shangri-La were so so gorgeous – I loved the white & gold colors. Made an experience there feel even more magical. The Santa photo is hilarious. I thought the Santa set-up at Printemps very unassuming and not over the top – very unlike the Santa Villages that I would have as a kid. Thank you for sharing all your beautiful moments of Christmas in Paris!
The Shangri-La’s Christmas decorations were definitely a festive surprise that really put me in the Christmas spirit. And the Santa – there wasn’t even a line of kids waiting to sit on his lap. If I hadn’t have stopped to look at something nearby, I would have missed him completely! Certainly not the typical Sit-on-Santa’s-Lap I’m used to from US department stores and Christmas parties. But A for Effort.
My heart skipped a beat with the Hermes window display!
Merry Christmas!
Remind me to never do a giveaway while in school!
I have included one gift for every month it has been late, but you’ll be sure to have it waiting in your mail box by the time you return if all shipping goes well.
Sorry again! Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy your gifts!
Look forward to your next family filled post for Xmas.
The Wanderfull Traveler
I’m so happy I discovered your blog! I am totally in love with France as well, and I miss it like crazy. Have a wonderful trip back home for the holidays, and I look forward to more of your France stories and beautiful photos when you return:) Juliette