French Inspiration for Your Holiday Fêtes
I Made You a Playlist, with Recipes, Tips, and Emotional Regulation
Salut les ami.e.s (Hey there friends),
C’est les fêtes de fin de l’année ! (It’s the holiday season!)
Je suis ravie que tu sois là (I’m delighted that you’re here). I wish we could all get together in Paris pour lever un verre ensemble (to raise a glass together) and to raise our spirits, which may or may not have taken a beating this year.
How are you feeling? Are you a fan of this time of year? Is the stress too much for you? We haven’t had a poll in a while, so let’s jump right in and take our collective pulse before we get started…
Moi ? I vote un peu de tout, because this year—my fourth in France—has had lots of blessings, but has been more difficult than all the others so far. You’d think that wouldn’t be the case, no? After all this time?
Well, we’ll talk about it more in the new year, but tu sais quoi (you know what)? No matter how much you love France (or any country) and no matter how well you think you’re equipped for such an enormous move—advanced language skills, work opportunities, strong support system—picking up your whole life and moving to a foreign land (even if it’s for love) is no joke.
By the way, that’s coming from someone who moved schools literally every year from kindergarten through ninth grade (thanks Mom), has started four companies, auditioned for a French jazz band with no experience, and is not averse to change or risk.
But Still, in Paris Christmas is the Most Merveilleux Time of the Year
There’s no denying it. Je suis folle des fêtes de fin d’année (I’m crazy about the holiday season). I adore parties and festive gatherings in general, et quand toutes les lumières scintillent (and when all the lights are sparkling)—I feel magic in my heart.
For me, there’s nowhere more lovely than Paris at Christmas, where magic seems to glow across every bridge and from all the softly lit windows and dressed-up shops.
Cher Père Noël (Dear Santa): I Just Ran My First (Pain-free) 10K in More Than Two Years!
OK, OK let’s get to the fun—here’s some last-minute inspo for a francophile holiday. Even adding just a simple decorative detail, some music, a visually stunning and tasty citrus salad or a traditional side dish will layer your gatherings with style and scrumptious substance à la française.
I’ve included links to some of my French holiday entertaining and cooking posts—and some from other folks who inspire me. Everywhere you click, you’ll find cocktail ideas, notes on how the French entertain at home, and delightful pictures to make you feel warm and cozy even if your family is driving you to drink.
Also if you still need to find a gift, check out my French-inspired gift guide here.
Let’s Start with Music: Ouai, Je T’ai Fait une Playlist (Yep,I Made a Playlist) for Your Holiday Soirée
On veut des commentaires ! (We want comments!)
Beautiful French Side Dishes for the Holidays
If you don’t already subscribe to Entertaining with Beth, take a look at her tasty recipes. She published the following post for Thanksgiving this year, but these are wonderful side dishes—many of them rooted in French tradition or French-inspired— selon moi (in my opinion) perfect for all your winter holidays or cozy weekend dinners.
A Floral Franco-American Appetizer for Any Holiday Get-Together
I saw this recipe video on Instagram and have it on my list to try, because I like things that create the illusion of serious effort! She calls them Brie and Cranberry Flowers but I call them Cranbrie Flowers—get it? As we say in French, miam-miam (yum yum)!
L’Art de la Table with French Style
I love both of these Instagram accounts below. One is a young Parisian chef who sets a great table, plus turns food platters into actual (edible) works of art for his one million (!) followers.
The other is two poetically starched French brothers who refuse to live with robots in the 21st century because it was all so much lovelier 100 years ago when napkins were folded properly on knees. I agree. Also I sincerely love their commitment to not wearing sweatpants on camera and insisting that “too much cleverness risks being less than chic.” Following!
If you feel like giving me a little Christmas cheer, I’d be mighty grateful if you’d say, subscribe for free to La Flâneuse. Yuuupiii !
Now, if you’re averse to commitment especially at the holidays, you could always just hit the like button and then share one of my posts with a cute friend to help someone else discover us over here. Merci merci !
Bonnes et Belles Fêtes, Mes Chères et Chers (Happy and Beautiful Holidays, My Dears)
I hope that this holiday season will bring you lots of joy, very little arguing with people who disappoint you, and after all the madness, some well-deserved time to reflect, restore, recharge and re-vision what you want in the year to come. Until then, I wish you everything good.
Joyeuses fêtes!
I mean you ran a 10K! That would honestly make my 53yo body feel like it would fall apart. I can’t imagine. 😶 I didn’t know Beth. What great recipes. I love a French playlist!!!!!! And a poll too dang it. 😆