image - vicki archer
It's December and it's time to talk Christmas...
Christmas is my holiday... the one that I like to pull out all the stops for... tradition I imagine... from my years with a mother who loved to do the same... I revel in all that comes with the festivities... the decorating, the gift giving, the cooking and the celebrating... I love the tinsel and the shimmer... the more it shines the merrier.
To celebrate another wonderful year of French Essence I want to share some sparkle with you...Throughout the month of December I will be giving away Christmas decorations from SHOP FRENCH ESSENCE. I have hand chosen what I consider to be the prettiest and the most beautiful glass decorations... they are the ones I have or the ones I would dream to add to my collection. I believe that Christmas decorations are collectibles... they are works of art oftentimes and something to be cherished. Mine are reminders of years gone by, of special friends, of my children... They are as important a collection as any other and for me, my most loved...
Here is what to do.... Leave a comment on the blog, subscribe by email or follow... whatever you prefer... Spread the word on your Facebook and Twitter... I don't mind as long as I know you are there and I can find you... Each week, throughout the month I will be announcing the winners and sending one of my favourite Christmas decorations on it's way...
Tomorrow I will start the fun... with the first decoration... Let the festivities begin... xv
I agree Vicki - Christmas decorations are collectibles and I have been collecting them since the early 1980s and I love them all and they all have a story and a special meaning. Also when I travel I always buy a Christmas decoration from that place. We will add a Santa on the top of the Empire State Building to our tree this year! We also put an appropriate decoration on the gifts we give - especially fun for children and adults too as we are all children at heart! Francesca x
ReplyDeleteI was just getting to know your blog last year around Xmas time. I cannot wait to see what wonderful delights Provence/Paris/London has for this year's Xmas holiday.
ReplyDeleteNöel est arrivé at my blog today as well V. I would dearly to win one of your Christmas baubles. I can only imagine how delightful! I love your little silver branch tree. I've downsized into a flat now and so no big tree. maybe I could make a facsimile!
ReplyDeleteV
Today was a wonderful day of decorating the tree and turning the homestead into a magical fairyland ... while it's lovely when the children are young I am really enjoying the older kids taking over the tree trimming and decorating - it's important to them to see reminders of their childhood - ornaments really do that don't they, remind you of when you got them and the many Christmas Days gone by. A time to reflect, remember and be grateful.
ReplyDeleteDear Vicki,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely thing to do. I have always bought a new Christmas decoration every year. We were in Libertys last week with our son, daughter-in-law and grandson. Our daughter-in-law showed our grandson two decorations and he pointed to one and she bought it !! She says that she is going to go into Libertys every year and get our grandson to choose one. They are making their own Christmas traditions which is lovely.
I shall put your giveaway on my sidebar. XXXX
What a pretty tree! I'm already a follower, thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteWe are trimming our tree this weekend, and I'm so excited to get started...truly a special time of the year!! Can hardly wait to see your what you have in store for us this Christmas ~
ReplyDeleteOoh! This is fun Vicki, what a lovely thought to shower your readers with Christmas Sparkle. Let's see..here is my comment, I have been a subscriber for two years (already?)..posted on Facebook yesterday (thx for your comment)...and a few tweets are flying about here and there on all the wonderful things you do. You are making my day Vicki, one after another. I am packing for a trip with most of December spent bewteen Australia and Germany. How far flung is that! Your posts in my Inbox are keeping the Christmas spirit alive. We will be back for Christmas with the whole family in London...Happy Days! Look forward to catching up . :) xx
ReplyDeleteAhhh... the chance to adopt yet another treasured Christmas ornament to add to my collection. I buy vintage Christmas items whenever I can find them, fully with the intention of selling them in my shop. Yet, once they are introduced to the others in my Christmas storage room, they become part of a very large and growing family and I simply cannot part with them...
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea! I moved to Paris in August and am looking forward to seeing how the Parisians decorate for the season.
ReplyDeleteKate
One more bauble might tip the tree...but I'll take my chances. Sending more bauble lovers your way via FB. Happy Decorating.
ReplyDeleteCatherine xx
Hi Vicki, I want the entire tree shown above!! Yes, Christmas decorations are forever. A couple of years ago, I lost a large box of my most treasured ornaments--I do not know how they simply vanished and I grieved them. But I also set about making new ones ( using Fortuny fabrics and semi precious faceted beads and baroque pearls, etc.) with new memories and it's OK!! Have a wonderful Christmas season!! Mary
ReplyDeleteHappy first of December. I can tell that your blog is going to help me experience the Christmas spirit.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
A little sparkle is just what I need! I love pulling out the stops at Christmas, too, and agree, the more shine the merrier! And I'm sure your ornament picks are just lovely.
ReplyDeleteHappy December!
Love your blog Vickie (and your book) I have enjoyed my "virtual" visit to Paris with you this past week. Only visited Paris once but the memories have never faded. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMaureen
Christmas in Paris...I've always dreamed of experiencing that! I will look forward to your posts about Christmas in Provence and can't wait to see how you decorate your house!
ReplyDeletecount me in!!! I WILL spread the word!;)
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I am so slow in decorating is that I linger over each decoration and ornament placed on the tree remembering special times. It gives me delight and warms my heart to reminisce. I look forward to seeing the decorations you choose for your giveaway and would be thrilled to win of course!
ReplyDeleteI am also having a giveaway for a wonderful new coffee table decorating book just out by a very talented young man just featured on the Today Show and recent Southern Living magazines. I am so impressed with his talent.
Would you consider some photos of the local window displays from shops, etc.? street lighting? That would be a great way to show French flavor!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love a little sparkle! I've never been to Paris, so I live vicariously through you!
ReplyDeleteLet the sparkling begin!
ReplyDeleteGrand Idea Vicki-I will be watching the blog. Thank you xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteLove it!! There's a store in Los Angeles that decorates a huge tree in their window with incredible glass ornaments and then proceeds to sell them all by Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteWill hope to add one of your picks to my tree as well this year! Just love your blog.
Winning a lovely French ornament would be exquisite! Love your blog...it may be as close to Paris or any of France as I will ever get. On my dream list...Have a wonder Christmas!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love your Christmas sentiment!! I too love to collect gorgeous Christmas decorations that hold meaning. Leahxx
ReplyDeleteLoving your Christmas blog and looking forward to hearing how you celebrate. For quite a few years we visited Lille before Christmas and had a little gallivant to Bruges where every time I purchased a few more beautiful glass baubles. We can no longer do this but looking at the tree reminds me of many happy times. My bucket list has one more trip!!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Vicki! Jo x
ReplyDeleteEver since I was a small child I have always proclaimed to my mother that I would happily swap my birthday for a second Christmas! There really is something magical about it. Now at the age of twenty three, I find myself approaching the first Christmas I will be away from my family. I am a graduate nurse, and alas will be working on Christmas for the first time in my life. I put up my tree on the first of December (I had purchased all of the decorations in October!) yet as it is basically straight out of a kmart store it lacks the magic my family tree posses. We too have decorations that are sentimental, some beautiful, some not so beautiful which my sisters and I made in kindergarten yet could never not adorn the tree with! You have inspired me to start my own tree trimming traditions and collect gorgeous pieces that will bring many happy memories I'm sure. Merry Christmas to all xx
ReplyDeletenot in the christmas spirit yet.. we have a birthday celebration in the middle of December and until then : no trees, no ornaments, no nothing.. we do not want to spoil the birthday fun and want to make sure that all possible attention is given ..
ReplyDeleteso, I have been programmed this way now .. at my house Christmas is short but intense
I agree completely that Christmas decorations can be the most special of keepsakes... I look forward to Christmas so I can take out my boxes of decorations from my Pappap & Grandma, who passed away years ago. These decorations are old, but well cared for and perfect.
ReplyDeleteI hope to be one of the lucky ones to win one of your picks!
l'm another sentimental gal. l still have Christmas decorations my girls made at kinder and they are now grown women.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the ' lovlies' you share with us Vicki !
Oooh how exciting what a fab giveaway I love christmas its so magical living in QLD now though so not the same as the cold fresh smell of Christmas in the UK with the fire going & the mulled wine on the stove.
ReplyDeleteI still make sure we get the christmas spirit though still having children at home helps :))
Enjoy the christmas festivity's :))
Hello Vicki... me too.. come 1st December, I'm rearing to get the house dressed in all her finery. My collection of red/green with white dots, cotton fabric strips, tied in the prettiest luxury bows, have traveled with me from South Africa (dressed the dark green wooden shutters there).. to Sydney Harbor Unit, the bannister of our third floor unit there (added some lights)... to now our Golf Estate Villa, where this year.. where will they find themselves. I have just washed starched and ironed them.. ready to go .. 15 years they've been with me.. oh I'm a real traditionalist.. then there's the tree.. and the borough and the wreath.. Even if we're not home for Christmas.. (this year we have our fist granddaughter due next week).. ooh, aah! Thanks for space to share my thoughts.. Jean
ReplyDeleteThankyou Vicki what a lovely idea.I look forward to seeing your house decorated you always do it so beautifully.I love Christmas too and yes it is all about the decorating and food and spirit and love.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how big or small the Christmas a few little decorations say it all. It is such fun to wake up and read your blog. xxTrish
Adults really turn back into children at Christmas....a free pass to indulge in sparkly fun. Thanks for the peak into French holiday decor.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same...Christmas is a time to enjoy and have fun (& decorate like crazy)!
ReplyDeleteI just adore the photo, the decorations are gorgeous!
xxx
Chere Vicky,
ReplyDeleteHow very kind and generous of you! What a sparkling way to kick off the magical month of December..
I love the special ritual of lovingly hanging the ornaments, and the flow of memories which accompany.
Blessings,
- Irina
I adore glass ornaments, I cannot bring myself to buy shatterproof or plastic ornaments. They just don't have the same lustre or beautiful fragility.
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas and I love Christmas trees. I have more ornaments than our tree can hold. Many are from my childhood and always bring back warm memories, others are vintage, and some I've collected since I married. Ornaments make a tree special.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea. I have given my daughter a Santa ornament for years and she does her entire tree with Santa ornaments. Now I a have grandson who just celebrated his first birthday. I have already started his collection of darling animal ornaments.
ReplyDeleteSo very kind and generous Vicki. I love Christmas decorations when they share a story, take us back to a special time, or just put a smile on our face. I absolutely love Christmas down to each painful detail.
ReplyDeleteI will be certain to share the word Vicki!
Much love,
Deb
Christmas ornaments hold a special meaning in our home.We give them as gifts every year and have quite a collection. One of your lovely ornaments would be a welcomed addition. thank you for having such a wonderful Christmas giveaway. I am a follower and look forward to more visits on your blog,
ReplyDeleteKathysue
Hi Vicky, will look forward to reading about Christmas in France. I visited Paris 6 years ago in February and it was so cold, but lovely. Thanks for sharing your sparkle. Hope I am a lucky winner. I am already a subscriber via email.
ReplyDeleteSheila 131 in S.F.
What a wonderful way to welcome December, Vicki!
ReplyDeleteYou inspire me to decorate in wonderful ways, all year through...
My Mum never really had a Christmas tree, her first one was a surprise gift from my Dad and he bought all the ornaments and set it up so it was ready when she came home.
ReplyDeleteMost of those ornaments would be over 50 years old now and each year out they come. Some so fragile we're afraid to breath on them in particular a tea pot with the finest spout.
This tradition passed to me and I have been collecting ornaments (a few each year for about 25 years) I also keep a few cards each year...anything that has a letter or is extra special. So each year out come cards from my Nana, Aunts and Uncles who have passed away.
We lost our first little boy so each year I get an ornament for him, and our children help me decorate the tree. I tell them stories for each ornament, some they made and others they chose. I love Christmas and the traditions we have created. I hope one day my daughter will pass them onto her children.
ciao lisa
and Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!
I am sentimental too at Christmas time...I have tree decorations that have been collected over the years and each one holds special meaning.
ReplyDeleteLoving your blog and I look forward to your daily clicks.Merry Christmas xx
What a gorgeous idea, and you're very generous, dear Vicki. I hand-painted some ceramic baubles quite a few years ago with my family's names & it always feels lovely having them up on the tree. Ornaments are a sweet tradition...
ReplyDeleteWell, you certainly have excellent taste!
ReplyDeleteI have never bought a "box of baubles". Every single decoration on our tree has special meaning to us. The foreign places where we've spent Christmas and bought a momento decoration home. Many friend have made special ones for us and of course the ones the children made when they were little. The branches sag a little now under the weight but we all love to recall where and who are associated with them all!
ReplyDeleteJust put up the tree and it's looking a bit said without any fabulous ornaments. It could use a little "french essence." :-)
ReplyDeleteThese ornaments are AMAZING! You are inspiring to get my Holiday decorating underway. Hitting Pinterest as we speak (I type?). Would you follow me? http://pinterest.com/designbabylon/
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Such a lovely idea, what fun, I must say I would love a special something from
ReplyDeleteFrance for the tree.
anything you chose to add sparkle would be fine by me!
ReplyDeleteYou are a girl after my own heart! I adore Christmas, and being a magpie, I revel in all the sparkle. You are so generous to host this glittering giveaway, Vicki! xo Gigi
ReplyDeleteI adore glass ornaments and are the only ornaments allowed to touch my tree! A new addition would be fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway,
Bella
Oh how I can relate to this. As children our Christmases were magical, due to mother. When everyone in the neighbourhood has a traditional pine tree in their sitting rooms, we would have one of mother's lovingly made creations.
ReplyDeleteWhite painted branches, a Lily Pilly in a pot, a giant clipped Buxus, twisted willow, etc, all beautifully decorated......sometimes monochromatically, sometimes with a masses of hand made bows and often with our traditional decorations........Mother was always ahead of the trends.
The preparation of food commenced in October when we would sit around our huge kitchen table, chatting and laughing whilst make the plumb puddings which were then hung them in their cloths to "mature''.
I loved the rituals associated with the Christmas celebrations......until 2000 when mother accidently died a week before Christmas. Her Christmas schedule was in her diary, the decorations (a blue theme this year) were up, and everything that could be prepared was. The family gathered at her table as planned for Christmas dinner….....just as she would have wished. My mother was my closest friend, fit and healthy, then gone. Despite my efforts, Christmas has never been the same since 1999. However, I love the feeling of peace and goodwill that is generated at this time of year. From the comments, your generous giveaway gifts are spreading lots Christmas Cheer.
PS I am one of the many who subscribe to you blog. Bonne semaine.
Christmas is the time of the encounter, but in many cases also of solitude, many families suffer the huge crisis we are suffering, I remember them with special care, when we look for those loved ones who by the circumstances that are not be in the Christmas Eve dinner, I feel bad. but here I make a special face for all those who are happy at this time, I particularly now with my new family and I feel there are more than four years, my special recognition. Merry Christmas to all those who feel as I do Christmas surrounded by family and friends, decorate our houses with our best ornaments, fir trees, nativity of Jesus and many, many lights.
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