Les petits chefs

(Image Ritz Escoffier, Paris)

Noël Chic: Get your kids in the kitchen for Christmas. Classes are offered in French and English for children ages 6 and up at the Ritz Escoffier and ages 8 and up at Cordon Bleu. This year's Christmas courses for children may be full, but you can already reserve a spot for next year. Click on the links above for class listing and sign-ups. You can also offer a class as a gift. Courses start at 95 euros and include your mini chef's attire.

Noël Bon prix: L'Atelier des chefs proposes courses in French for parents and children starting at 36 euros.

L'Abre de Noël

We picked our tree up at the market last Sunday to the great delight of one little boy and girl. My poor husband got the job of lugging it home over his shoulder. Once nicely installed in a corner of our living room, it became apparent that it was heavily leaning to one side and slightly too tall. My son recommended that we cut off the top like in Mr. Willoby's Christmas, the story that we had read the night before. As for the leaning, there wasn't much we could do. In France the Christmas tree stand is just a log with a hole that the stump is forced into. This makes any adjustments nearly impossible. Sigh. And while looking down at my 16 month-old, I also quickly realized that all of our beautiful glass ornaments would be staying in their boxes this year. All was not lost. My son quickly took to work coloring and cutting ornaments out of tag board which we punched with holes and hung with ribbon. He got the idea from Curious George, he said. The Chirstmas book advent calendar was definitely a success.

Holiday Shopping Hours!

In France Sundays are sacred. I think this is a good thing even if every once in a while I miss being able to shop whenever I like. It makes you slow down at least one day of the week. Few streets like the rue des Francs-Bourgeois in the Marais or the Champs Elyséés actually pay fines and keep their doors open Sundays year-round. But, at Noël the French are willing to lighten up and let everyone spend to their hearts content, même la dimanche.

I'll be out checking off all my lists with the husband and enjoying a nice lunch sans enfants. It's been a long time since we have been out without the kids and am already looking forward to it.

The grands magasins: Bon Marché, Printemps and the Galéries Lafayettes are open Dec. 5th, 12, and 19th!

Marché de Noël in the Village Saint Paul

This week-end if you are out and about in the Marais, stop by the Marché de Noël in the Village Saint Paul. Last year, a sweet older couple (very Mamie et Papy) served us delicious crêpes with home-made jam. We washed that down with some hot wine from the adjacent stand. If that doesn't get you, then the other 48 stands of regional produce should do the trick.

Friday Dec. 3rd 14:00-20:00

Saturday Dec. 4th 9:00-20:00

Sunday Dec. 5th 9:00-19:00

Little feet

I'm loving these slipper socks from Collégien. Perfect for little feet on cold floors Christmas morning. I may have to buy three and get free shipping. They have tights too!

Advent: Day 1

We started our countdown today. I've been collecting books in French and English for the last few months and have finally amassed 24! The last one arrived in the mail just yesterday. Whew! My son recently turned 4 and I am hoping he will love books as much as I did growing up. This idea adds a bit of magic to it all and I'm sure it will be a big success. Also, since he is still learning his numbers, I've placed the books out of order and he has to match the number on the calendar to the one on the books.

I've seen so many amazing advent calenders this week that I am definitely not lacking inspiration for next year. Check out this one I spotted over at Bloesem Kids.