Actually there isn't any snow and the ugly Parisian suburbs are barely decorated, but it's kinda starting to feel like the holiday season, and Christmas is just one month away now. I'm trying not to think about it though because this year won't be nearly as Christmasy as the rest. I'm not going home, not taking any time off work (other than Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), and I won't even be spending it with Max (who is the reason I stayed in France this year, before we found out his unfortunate work schedule). But I won't be alone because my wonderful friend Mil has invited me to spend Xmas Eve with her little family (French hubby and beautiful baby girl), plus my old co-worker and her hubby. Mil lives in the North of France and we met a few years ago at work. Even though I moved to Paris, we've kept in touch and I'm so touched she has invited me to stay over at her house Xmas Eve til Xmas Day. I'd love it if Max were able to come too and partake in the holiday cheer, but it's not his fault he has to work. He won't be able to come to the North at all until New Year's Eve, but we are hoping that his friends will organize a soirée so we can all celebrate together because it's been too long since his friends got together.
Growing up, Christmas was always huge in my house. My parents went all out with decorations and food and presents and all the memories I have of the holidays are happy ones filled with fun and family. I love Christmas and not going home to celebrate with my family is so hard, even now that I'm 27 and not a kid. But living so far away makes going home every year a challenge and I'll have to be content with visiting Canada during the holidays every other year.
I've only spent one Christmas in France and it was nice, but lacklustre. Max's family isn't into celebrating the holidays all that much. They do nothing on the 24th and his mom prepares a meal on the 25th for those in the family who want to come. No decorations, no Christmas tree, no turkey. And they have a strange policy on presents. For Max, a Christmas present is the money his mom will transfer into his bank account after he buys himself something in October or November. Such was the case last weekend when he bought new boxing equipment with me on Saturday then called his mom from the car to tell her how much it was and to please put the money into his bank account sometime soon. A far cry from the beautifully wrapped boxes hidden under the Christmas tree of my childhood! And every time the subject of my present comes up, he tells me to just buy something I like and he'll give me the money after. Sorry honey, but I don't work that way. I want him to take the time to think of something I'd like, to go out and buy it, to wrap it and hide it and give it to me on Christmas day. I know this will never happen, but it's a nice thought anyway. For the moment, I haven't even thought about what I want because I don't want to think too much about Christmas. And I suppose that everything I would want can't be bought in a store or online, so what's the point? I do, however, love the Christmas markets in France and I plan on going to the one at La Défense and Les Champs Elysées in the coming weeks to sip vin chaud, eat a warm sugar crepe or roasted chestnuts and marvel at the twinkling lights and handcrafted gifts.
This year, I'll celebrate the people who care about me both in France and in Canada (via phone and internet!) and try not to think about garland and ornaments and reindeer. And that's really not so bad after all.
8 comments:
Awww. I am sorry you don't get to go home for Christmas. Just do the best you can to make your own blow out Christmas, despite Max and his weirdo family traditions. Eventually he'll learn to like it too, I'm sure.
Can wait to see you Saturday!
The first year B and I lived together my mom sent me some tree ornaments and I realized we had no decorations or tree. B was really against buying a real tree, so we bought this cheapo plastic one. I used it for two years, but last year I started complaining again that I wanted a real tree, even just a little one (my parents' 8ft trees in the States of course not being possible in our apartment). So B brought home one day a potted evergreen pine from the grocery store. He was pretty disappointed when I informed him that it did not look whatsoever like a Christmas tree and that I would go back to using the plastic one. Speaking of which, I think it's time to dig it out again from the garage. The potted tree is now in his parents' yard. This year will be my 4th Christmas with the in-laws, and I've learned it's nothing like the real Christmas I grew up with.
This is the first Christmas that I will spend without my family in the US. I'm really sad about it because it's one of my favorite times of year to be at home
(decorations, christmas-caroling (yes, we actually do this in my neighborhood!), roasting marshmallows in the fireplace, neighborhood holiday parties....). It's going to be different, especially considering that my husbands family doesn't even have a Christmas tree! I'm gonna try my best to keep a smile on my face :)We should grab a coffee at starbucks!
L - as I read your comment, I couldn't help but think about the Charlie Brown Christmas special that comes on every year where they find that sad, sickly pine tree and decorate it. It's the thought that counts right? (even if it's a plastic tree, or a potted one, or an 8 food real one!)
Emily - I know just how you feel with the family-in-law...I just replay all my memories in my head on Christmas day here and try to make the best of it. Let's definitely get a coffee during the week between Xmas and New Years!
Despite not being in Canada and with Max it sounds like you will have a nice xmas with friends!
It's definitely not fun to be away from your family and traditions over the xmas period... I spent my first xmas away from New Zealand in 2007 with a NZ friend in London and we tried to make it traditional but it wasn't the same - plus in NZ we have a summer xmas!! Afterwards I swore I would never spend another winter xmas without my family. Alas, this year I will be spending xmas in England with my British Boy and his family. I will be topping up my phone with lots of credit so I can be passed around my extended family in NZ on xmas eve (xmas day in NZ).
Enjoy the markets! I can't wait until they open here... I love eating truffade, chestnuts, crepes and drinking mulled wine.
I love the Charely Brown Christmas special! We're excited about you coming. Don't expect the finest culinary delights! Last night I had our basketball friend over for Thanksgiving. He enjoyed the Stovetop Stuffing and pumpkin pie. It felt more like T-day with someone who knew what it was. Hang in there. As time goes on, Christmas in France gets a *little* more bearable.
Dear Chrystal! It's Jeanine again! I'm so sorry to hear you are feeling blue about Christmas--it's easy to get that way this time of year, esp. when things aren't quite ideal.
My fiance and I are planning a very inexpensive Christmas this year because finances are quite tight (welcome to the recession!).
Because I'm a reader, I'm looking into famous books about Christmas, "A Child's Christmas in Wales", "The night before Christmas", and probably the actual Christmas story from the Bible on Christmas Eve from the library.
And we are stringing popcorn and probably going to go cut off some branches from some tree around here!!! ha ha ha!! Weird, but true!
By the way, what a meanie that student of yours was about the train incident, that is such an easy mistake to make. If you want to feel better, I actually grabbed the wrong subway in Washington, D.C. going in the wrong direction, to a JOB INTERVIEW!! what a dork I am!!
Hang in there Chrystal! We'll hang an ornament on our tree branches for you for Christmas and wish you a joyeux noel!! (Sp?)
best :)
Jeanine
Jeanine - you are too sweet! I actually found a christmas ornament the other day that looks like my dog, so I'm going to go back and get it I think. I have a tiny plastic tree my mom sent me over one year, so I think I'll set it up and pretend it's bigger and filled with beautiful decorations and lights :)
For me, Christmas doesnt have to be expensive, just cozy, surrounded by those who care about you. I know this year will be different, and I know it's because of choices I've made, and that's ok. I'm going to watch as many christmas specials on the internet as I can and maybe get started on an article or short story !
(P.S. I LOVE your decorating ideas!)
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