Belle Brita

A Christian Feminist Lifestyle Blog

  • Home
  • Meet Brita
    • Start Here
    • Contact
    • Newsletter Options
    • Featured On
  • Start Here
    • Meet Brita
    • Belle Brita Newsletters
    • Comment Policy
  • The F-Word
    • Feminist Blog Posts
    • Sign up for Friday’s The F-Word
  • Work with Me
    • Disclosure
    • Hire Me
    • Contact

Updated: December 5, 2017    

For Love of Christmas Lights in Paris

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved Christmas lights.

When I was in elementary school, my church did a night of Christmas caroling every December. We visited all the shut-ins from our church, but one year, we also went to the most beautifully decorated house I’d ever seen.

To this day, when I’m in Greenwood for Christmas, I make a point of driving to this one house to see their decorations. I’ve now added the lights at Connie Maxwell’s Children’s Home to my list of must-see lights, along with the holiday decorations on Main Street.

I’ve seen many beautiful cities, big and small, decorated for Christmas, but none of them compare to Paris.

Paris's giant ferris wheel is a Christmas tradition along the Champs Elysées. | Belle Brita
Paris 2009
I loved celebrating the holidays in France, especially seeing how Paris adorned herself in sparkly Christmas lights. | Belle Brita
Paris 2010

I’ve been in Paris for three holiday seasons, even if I never actually spent Christmas in the city. But I was there to admire all the lights in 2007, 2009, and 2010.

The City of Lights outdoes itself each year when decorating for Christmas. | Belle Brita
Paris 2007
2016 Ferris Wheel on the Champs Elysées | Belle Brita
Paris 2016

I loved living in France. I consider myself very fortunate for the three months I studied abroad in Versailles, for the ten months I au paired in Le Vésinet, and for the seven months I taught English in Niort.

While teaching English in France, my friend Kate and I celebrated Christmas and NYE together! | Belle Brita
Paris 2010

I miss too many qualities about France to name them all. But in December, what I miss most about France is the City of Lights lit up for Christmas.

This will be the first time Dan has celebrated Christmas in Greenwood. Dan and I celebrated Christmas with my family in 2012, but all of us flew out to Denver that year to enjoy one last Christmas with my grandmother. I’m excited to introduce Dan to the Long family Christmas traditions.

Is there anything more magical than Paris all decorated for Christmas? | Belle Brita #holidays #travel

At this point in our marriage, Dan and I switch off Thanksgiving and Christmas between our families. Who gets which holiday depends on Dan’s vacation time, and which family is closest. It’s easier for us to fly for Thanksgiving, which is always a four-day weekend, than it is for Christmas.

I know that one day, how we divide the holidays will change. That’s a natural progression in life, married or otherwise.

I hope that one day, our holiday division will include Thanksgiving in France with my cousins Stu and Beccy. Thanksgiving is one of the best times to visit Paris, when everything is already decorated for Christmas, but the madness of December hasn’t started yet.

Disneyland Paris is a sight to see during the holiday season! | Belle Brita
Disneyland Paris 2009

Edit 12/17/2016: Dan and I did it! We celebrated Thanksgiving in France with my cousins Stu and Beccy. Paris was just as magical as I had remembered.

Celebrating Christmas in Paris! | Belle Brita
Paris 2016

What’s your favorite kind of holiday decor? Have you ever been an expat during Christmas? I’m interested in your thoughts!

Blog of Brita Long

Love this post? Share the love!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit

Related

6 CommentsFiled Under: FranceTagged With: Christmas, Greenwood South Carolina, Paris

Meet Brita

Christian feminist libertarian, making the world a better place one day at a time. Fueled by hot tea and mimosas. Read More…

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • StumbleUpon
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
Earth Day Essentials from Grove Collaborative

Subscribe to my newsletter

Learn more about the monthly life.love.latitude and the weekly Friday's The F-Word!

Categories

  • Feminism
  • Travel
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Blogging
  • Love Story
  • Faith

Recent Posts

Back image of a white woman wearing a heavy coat. Text overlay reads: Sexual Harassment is Not Okay

Sexual Harassment on the Frozen Foods Aisle

You are so gorgeous. The words hit me quickly, quietly. Panic rose up in my throat even as I … [Read More...]

Image of female patient's arm, connected to an IV, with a healthcare worker's hands nearby. Text overlay reads: "My Small Bowel Resection Story: the Day of Surgery"

My Small Bowel Resection Story: the Day of Surgery

On the morning of December 2, 2021, Dan and I arrived at Northside Hospital around 5:20am. The … [Read More...]

Image of hot tea and honey. Text overlay reads: "My Small Bowel Resection Story Prologue"

My Small Bowel Resection Story (Prologue)

I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease more than 25 years ago, at just 8 years old. While my parents … [Read More...]

Popular Posts

  • A Year Without My Mother
  • My Husband Didn’t Take My Last Name
  • 20 Life-Changing Things to Do in Your 20s
  • 7 Scripture Readings on Service
  • Feminism 101: Learning the Lingo
  • My Bikini Has Nothing to Do with You
  • How to Survive School with Crohn’s Disease
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

© 2015, 2019 Belle Brita. Designed by KG.

Copyright © 2022 · Belle Brita on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in