Christmas is Coming!

Signs have been in evidence for the past two weeks (that means only since the middle of November) - stores stocking Christmas merchandise, the city stringing icicle lights across some of the narrower streets, etc. But the lights didn't go on until this week, the stores didn't really set up their Christmas displays until this week, Christmas trees and greens didn't show up at the florists - until this week, the very end of November. What's been more in evidence is the French starting to provision for their holiday feasts - lots of tastings at wine stores, lots of champagne displays and lots of advertising about foie gras and holiday meals to order (for those who don't want to cook). And from last weekend through mid-December, every neighborhood seems to have one or two locations with fairs where producers from outside of Paris come to sell their products. And what they're selling again says volumes about the celebration and what's important - food (champagne, wine, foie gras, cassoulet, duck, oysters), all to be shared with family and friends. It's not uncommon to see people walking away from these stands with a case or two of their favorite brew... There's clearly a bustle but, though the French complain about the commercialization of the holiday, it seems much less commercial than in the US, at least from what I've observed in my neighborhood!