Paris on Christmas Day

One of the things that drew me to Paris over Christmas was that I was quite excited for the “challenge” of doing things in Paris on Christmas day. The night before my friend and I made a plan so that we could still manage with left over bananas or things stolen from the hotel’s breakfast if the local restaurants weren’t open.

We needn’t have made those plans.

As soon as I exited my hotel on Christmas morning, my nose caught the most delicious smell, and I found an open bakery. I was pretty sad that my quest for food had been so easy… And with that we set out to find things to do. We took a walk around the Louvre, and into Cité – where there were a surprising amount of shops still open. Not just bakeries and cake shops but also regular shops too. Looking in the windows of the gorgeous antique shops was also pretty fun.

I was surprised at how many people were out and about – I’d wanted to take a photo of a Parisian street with no people on it, but it was just as busy as on any other day. Not just Asian tourists, too – Western tourists and even locals were milling around, eating, drinking and just relaxing on Christmas Day.

The area around St Michel was all alive and kicking and there were endless opportunities for dinner. All in all, it was quite a let down on how easy the whole day was!

If you are planning to visit Paris over Christmas in the future, I’d say go for it – as you can see, there were no problems at all. And I certainly had an amazing time there during the festive period! In my research before I went I saw a lot of websites saying that nothing would be open and that I had to book a table at an expensive restaurant in order to eat – that’s all crazy talk. I booked nothing and managed – and you can too!

Christmas Tag

The lovely Luchessa tagged me for the Christmas Tag and so now it’s Boxing Day I think it might be a good time to do this!

1. Which holiday do you celebrate?

I celebrate a strange watered-down expat version of Christmas. I’ve been sad that I’ve not really felt Christmassy this year at all but I guess that’s partly my own fault…

2. What are you doing for the holidays this year?

Well I’m in Paris! I came here on Christmas Eve and I’ll be leaving on the 30th. I don’t have any plans other than to go to Disneyland with a colleague on he 27th. I just want to chill out and take in the magic of the city.

3. What’s your favourite holiday drink?

Uhm… I don’t think I have one. I had some nice beers with an old friend when I was back home and that was nice. I do like Starbucks’ Christmas offerings though!!

4. Candy cane of gingerbread men?

Hmm.. neither. These are very American!

5. Favourite Christmas song?

A Fairytale of New York by The Pogues. Every time.

6. What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received?

Last year for secret Santa at work I got a kind of game with jelly beans that were poo and sick and nappy flavoured. It was from someone I really cared about so I was kind of annoyed that they hadn’t bought me a gift that reflects on me personally… Unless I make people think I’m the kind that is into disgusting flavoured jelly beans…

7. Have you ever made a snowman?

Yes, of course! Though not this year. Maybe it’ll snow in Frankfurt again soon and I’ll be able to.

8. What’s your favourite winter fragrance?

Ugh, I don’t know. I know this is about perfume but let’s make it about room smells! I love Christmas edition plug in air fresheners! They are awesome! I pinched mum’s Glade orange scented candle when I was back home. I can’t wait to light it in my room.

9. What is top of your list for Christmas?

Well it’s over now, but I really wanted a new coat, and I got one! Mum bought me the one from Miss Selfridge that I really wanted, but the size was too small! I had the 14 but it didn’t fit over my chest so we went to change it and decided on one from Red Herring (not online) which fit perfectly in a size 12! Just goes to show that sizes are crazy.

10. What’s the most important thing to you during the holidays?

Seeing family, mainly. But also getting a good rest, putting on a few pounds and doing a bit of Christmas shopping!

 

I’m not going to tag other people as it’s after Christmas now. But if you want to do this tag then please feel free and link back to me so I can see it!

Home Is…

…Dad’s fresh homemade bread.

…a quiet movie for free.

…looking over family photos while on the loo…

…the smell of burning wood.

…funny head decorations.

…raising a glass for Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope yours is as merry and bright as mine was!

Why “Little Saint Nick” is a Stupid Christmas Song

Photo credit

I love Christmas songs. I do. But there is one that I hate – Little Saint Nick by the Beach Boys. I love the Beach Boys, they remind me of being 7 years old and starting out majorettes and dancing with pom poms. Nice. But this song is just plain STUPID. Let me show you why.

Little Saint Nick by the Beach Boys

Oooooooo
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
Christmas comes this time each year
Oooooooo oooooooo

Let me stop you there. Christmas comes each year?!?! And at THIS TIME? Like, you mean, December? What happens if you’re listening to this in July? When I used to work at my local library on Sundays, we could play music of our choice and this one day we played Christmas music in July. True story. But seriously, do you really need to point out that Christmas comes each year, at “this time” (which we shall assume to mean December).

Well, way up north where the air gets cold
There’s a tale about Christmas that you’ve all been told
And a real famous cat all dressed up in red
And he spends the whole year workin’ out on his sled

I’m going to give you this “cat” business. American English is a strange thing. But does Santa really work out all year on his sled the whole year? Doesn’t he, like, look over the elves who are making the toys? But you’re saying he’s on his SLED? All year? If you say so…

It’s the little Saint Nick
Ooooo, little Saint Nick
It’s the little Saint Nick
Ooooo, little Saint Nick

Just a little bobsled we call it old Saint Nick
But she’ll walk a toboggan with a four speed stick
She’s candy-apple red with a ski for a wheel
And when Santa hits the gas, man, just watch her peel

What? The SLED is called “Saint Nick”? I think you’re a bit confused. The big MAN in red is Saint Nick. While we’re at it, do you, American men, know what a “speed stick” (which I imagine means “gear stick”) is at all? With your automatic cars? Really? Do you?
It’s the little Saint Nick
Ooooo, little Saint Nick
It’s the little Saint Nick
Ooooo, little Saint Nick

Run run reindeer
Run run reindeer
Whoaa
Run run reindeer
Run run reindeer

If this sled has a gear stick, why does it need reindeer? Stick to one story, please!

He don’t miss no one

And haulin’ through the snow at a frightenin’ speed
With a half a dozen deer with Rudy to lead
He’s gotta wear his goggles ’cause the snow really flies
And he’s cruisin’ every pad with a little surprise

Ahhhhhh
Oooooooo
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
Christmas comes this time each year

Oh hush!!

So do you believe me now? This song is stupid!

Scenes from the Christmas Market

Here are some photos I’ve taken at the Frankfurt Christmas market – Weihnachtsmarkt.

People buy gingerbread with cute sayings on it (“My darling” “My loving husband” “best mum ever”) and hang them around their necks. They walk around like this, and I think it’s pretty funny. Like a walking poster board of sugar.

Cheese from the left is scraped and then melted to make delicious fondue.

 

The tree is from Bavaria, near to the Austrian boarder.

 

 

This is my favourite drink - feuerzangenbowle. Alcohol is dripped over a massive lump of sugar, and collects in a cauldron at the bottom. It’s a little stronger than most of the stuff you get at the Christmas market but it’s lovely all the same!