On a previous trip to Paris, when our daughter must have been just 5 or 6, we came across some spectacular Polish made glass ornaments at the Christmas trimmings store at Le Bon Marche. I couldn’t resist, and bought a dozen and half large ornaments, and ended up hand-carrying them on our flight back to Manila, along with a Panama hat I purchased on sale, off-season. Those ornaments are the “stars” of our annual Christmas tree, and I was hoping to find more unusual and affordable ornaments this time around as well…
This year’s Christmas shop was quite spectacular, with large sample trees decorated with tinsel and ornaments in various themes and color schemes. But the prices were spectacular as well, the nicer pieces going for Euro9-18 PER PIECE. Yowks. A bit more pricey than I recall. And it turns out these weren’t bad compared with others we would see over the next 10 days.
One of the strong themes this year seems to be along the ornate decor of the faberge period in Russia, so the balls were rich jeweled tones, with lots of gold glitter and some fake stones. They looked nice on the sample trees, but you had to have 80-120 pieces to really make a statement. Honestly, I couldn’t get myself to spend US$20 on a single ornament, specially since some of them looked like I could make them myself, with materials available at home!
But the merchandising of the products was something to marvel at… European stores just do it so much better than American stores, in my opinion. I don’t have photos of the gift section of this same floor, but the stuff was just so cleverly selected and displayed.
The tall ceilings on the top floor of Le Bon Marche made the trees appear to soar higher than they were. They were just decorated enough, a bit on the sparse side (compared to the trees I do at home), but enough so you got an idea what they were trying to sell…
I hope you all have a wonderful time trimming your Christmas tree this year. I have several more posts on decor in the days ahead to give you more ideas about what was on offer in Paris and London this season!
15 Responses
Off topic but I hope you and your staff stay safe through this typhoon.
They are LOVELY! Someday I will have the space for a full-sized tree.
This year, Chef and I are content with our 1.5ft “tree” hahaha!
On a sidenote: I second Monty’s sentiments – I pray you and your crew and staff stay safe during Ruby’s Hagupit.
i love everything! and yes, echo Monty..hope everyone is safe and snug, and i pray that somehow miraculously this typhoon dissolves on its own in the pacific ocean.
Just flew back to Manila on another horrifically late PAL flight. Everyone is girding for a storm, but praying it veers off instead.
I just hope that rescue officials were given satellite phones this time. There was a communications blackout during Yolanda which hampered aid efforts. We need to realize that cellphones will not work in the aftermath of such massive disasters.
I pray Ruby will get downgraded. We need this after devastating Supertyphoon Yolanda.
I saw sets of Polish Glass Christmas decors, about 5 for $12.00 at Home Goods. Looks like Radko.
MM, after 20 years of marriage, I am officially banned from purchasing any more kitchen “stuff” or any Christmas ornaments. Unfortunately for T, we did, however, unofficially write the proverbial “she who shops carries it home” clause into our marriage contract so when I swoon at ornaments like this, there is little he can say except “Why on earth do we need more of those???????” I envy you the delight of this room.
Hi,
Hope you don’t mind me getting in touch. I’m Adnes from BlogDash. Just want to let you know, we are looking for Bloggers that accept business blogging opportunities. If this is something that could interest you, please get in touch with us. Thank you
adnes, NO thank you.
Heh heh…
Natie:Yeah:)
You are barking up at the wrong tree, adnes.
:)
I enjoy reading your blog posts, so organic and unadulterated, free from money-induced touting of products (Zubuchon’s okay haha). Glad you want to remain that way! #notoadnes
Christmas…it’s the most wonderful time of the year!!!
hehehe to adnes’ invite…
second JSmith’s post…