Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

First Christmas Tree

                              

When I arrived in France many moons ago, Christmas trees were not part of Christmas. The Christmas consumer market had not yet taken off. The French florists usually had a few dried up pine trees for sale, reminding me of Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree, for a small fortune!

Given this bit of history I want you to imagine a young woman, nine months pregnant, determined to have a Christmas tree, for her soon-to-be-Franco-American baby…. Imagine her buying a Charlie Brown tree, then dragging it behind her as she walked the streets of Paris back to her apartment. Then hauling it up the three flights of stairs where she placed the tree upright. One side had bare branches. The other side had needles dangling. The scattered scent of pine, was replaced by sweat and a funny feeling.

I had a Christmas tree just in time for the first ornament that came bright and beautiful!

Photo: A glimpse of this year’s tree, adorned with a vintage "sabot," ornament from the French flea markets.

Comments

43 responses to “First Christmas Tree”

  1. Jeanne

    How sweet and wonderful are the memories of Christmas.
    I can see you so determined………
    There is no ideal Christmas; only the one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions.
    -Bill McKibben, Author, Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case For a More Joyful Christmas
    as seen on a dear friends journal!

    Reply
  2. diana

    it sounds like times have indeed changed … this years franco- american tree is lovely

    Reply
  3. naturegirl

    A lovely Christmas story and a
    beautiful ornament.
    **Happy Holidays Ms. Corey**
    hugs NG

    Reply
  4. Shannon

    Oh Corey, please write a book about your experiences. From your childhood in California up until now!
    Every bit you share on your blog is so interesting.

    Reply
  5. darla

    Ahh, the first ornament. What a lovely Christmas tale, made me smile.

    Reply
  6. Penny

    What a lovely sharing! And a better gift you couldn’t have gotten!!

    Reply
  7. sheila

    The birth of a child at Christmas. In different ways, millenia apart,two mother’s both wanting to do the best for their babes.
    I’m sure you remember that first Christmas with your new child and your tiny tree with so much fondness.
    Has any tree since meant as much?

    Reply
  8. Violette

    ooooooh ! un message subliminal ! Merci Corey pour ce cadeau.
    Love from Violette

    Reply
  9. cruststation

    Your tree is beautiful! Thank you for sharing your sheer determination to keep the ‘American in France’ alive and yes we are waiting for the memoirs of Corey Amaro 🙂

    Reply
  10. Britt-Arnhild

    I would have done just the same:-)
    The first Christmas tree were on sale at the downtown marketplace today. Most people buy theirs next week though, and so do we.

    Reply
  11. shabbyinthecity

    And how many ornaments were there when all was said and done?

    Reply
  12. Acey

    maybe the sweetest story yet 🙂 a wonderful legend to share and keep dear.

    Reply
  13. Casey

    Corey, I want to thank you for your sweet comment about reading my blog and such! 🙂
    I agree with the commentor above who said you should write a book on your experiences in France! 🙂 I’m so enjoying reading all these little tidbits of living in France–its utterly fascinating the differences in cultures. 🙂 Lovely story and photograph–the tree looks so pretty just from that little peek! 🙂

    Reply
  14. Bettina

    How sweet! Do you have a photo of your first tree in France?

    Reply
  15. patpaulk

    A very beautiful Christmas story!! One can make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.

    Reply
  16. Sheba

    For the remainder of the “Days of Christmas” you could just feature little snippets of what promises to be a exquisitely unique and “gorge” sapin de noel chez toi. That, or any one of the likely myriad marvels of Corey-esque decor de noel.

    Reply
  17. susan

    A wonderfully-told fitting tale for the season…humble beginnings and joyful “progression” (“endings” just wasn’t fitting really 🙂

    Reply
  18. Linda Harre

    Corey……you are a Christmas gift! I gain more pleasure from you blog than I can explain. Oh, I only wish I had more time to investigate each and every site! The time you must spend making our lives more beautiful. THANK YOU!

    Reply
  19. susanna

    Awww…good for you, Corey! J and I are getting our tree today- yippee!

    Reply
  20. Regina Clare Jane

    I can just picture you with your little tree, tummy leading the way… I am sure you cherish that Christmas in your heart like no other. Thank you for the lovely memory and the beautiful picture!

    Reply
  21. Star

    Somehow the most spare of times hold some of the dearest memories. There must be a birthday coming soon in your household.
    You have a beautiful tree this year, Corey.

    Reply
  22. CathyC

    I love this story. I can actually picture you dragging that tree. People must have been shaking their heads. The pic of your tree and ornament is so pretty, too.
    Thanks for sending me an email! You are so nice. I don’t know why blogger is acting up. I tried fixing the problem, so I hope the comment section works now. It’s much more fun to write a blog when people comment. Oh, and no, I don’t have a pic of that tree, but my mother probably does. I’ll dig around.

    Reply
  23. anonymouse

    13 Desserts !
    Y U M !
    When do the 12 days begin and who gets the extra 13th dessert?
    Can we see what the chocolate sabot looks like too?
    Lovely picture as always.
    Aren’t you lucky to have a real tree…

    Reply
  24. anonymouse

    Ooooooooooooooooooooooh !
    the first ornament that came bright and beautiful!
    That was SASHA ! 🙂

    Reply
  25. tut-tut

    What great images you evoke. And this post’s photograph is just lovely.

    Reply
  26. annie lockhart

    sweet sentiments…our little christmas baby grandson is due any day now…i invision you then somewhat as my oldest daughter is now…what a treasure to be expecting during this shared season…i have been playing catch up here…trying to take in all that you have been sharing…blessings…xoxo…annie

    Reply
  27. catmi

    je découvre votre blog grâce à Violette, je ne comprends pas tout, mon anglais n’étant pas parfait mais j’en aime l’atmosphère, il s’en dégage une grande poésie !

    Reply
  28. annieelf

    Having babies a Christmas time is like nothing else. They are an absolute treasure and the ultimate decoration. I’ll never forget Don coming home after our son was born dragging in a beautiful little tree, a box full of ornaments (every Baby’s First Christmas he could find at the Hallmark store) and our manger. Up until that moment, we had no Christmas planned.

    Reply
  29. Cat

    You have wonderful determination! Plus you keep the spirit of Christmas alive!

    Reply
  30. Pauline Clarke

    Every year that I am alone, I think I will not get a tree and then the decorations call from their boxes and I can’t say no. The little sabot that was my Maman’s is gone now, but I remember it glittering amongst the branches.
    Your tree is lovely!

    Reply
  31. Ulla

    Corey, I love the sabot and your story… Even Charlie Brown had the best around, because his ‘heart’ was in it… just like yours is! Do tell, have you heard any of the songs on the ‘French Christmas’ cd you site? it sound intriguing…

    Reply
  32. Colette

    How nice to see a little sabot de noel! Thank you for a glimpse into your christmas past… xoxo

    Reply
  33. Amber

    Awww, that is wonderful!
    Merry Christmas, friend.
    🙂

    Reply
  34. nel

    Well today I learned what a ‘sabot’ is. Thank you for sharing your wonderful world with me in pictures, words and by inspiring my imagination:-)

    Reply
  35. JanePoe (aka Deborah)

    What a vision … you, with pregnant anticipation! Lovely photo! Much peace and holiday cheer, JP

    Reply
  36. jolene

    Corey, in our little seaside village of Corona del Mar, here in southern California the children who learn to sail do so in Sabot’s…so now I know where the word comes from thanks to YOU! I will never look at those little sailboats the same now!
    Bright blessings to you and yours this holiday!

    Reply
  37. mary

    Merry Christmas and I can see you now hauling that tree back to your apartment.

    Reply
  38. Paris Parfait

    Lovely story and photo. Joyeux Noel!

    Reply
  39. miss*R

    so ! one of your babies has a birthday near Christmas and is a Capricorn! me too! I was supposed to be a Christmas day baby but am a New year day one instead.

    Reply
  40. simple me

    This post placed a big smile on my face. I can picture you dragging a tree all over Paris carrying a round belly and a determined expression about you. Just like a French movie.

    Reply
  41. charlotte

    just stumbled upon your lovely, serene blog…the photographs are so beautiful. thanks for the refreshment!

    Reply
  42. Marie-Noëlle

    Clogs !!! Apparently, shoes are the trend this year, concerning tree decorations !
    Laced boots are number one (maybe Augusta’s influence)… I have seen a few more in the shops this very afternoon… and I spotted one, more fancy than others …I wondered whose shoe it could be, …and I bought it on the spot, …hoping to find the foot (or at least the tree) it will suit best…

    Reply
  43. Claire

    I can just imagine the whole scene! Merry Christmas…xx

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions