Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

French Gift Tags and The Christmas Storage Space

French Gift Tags

 

 

I went to the shop with ever intention to buy Christmas wrapping,

Oh how I am easily distracted when it comes to anything that resembles vintage graphics.

… 

Setting up for Christmas is a feat at our house since our Christmas decorations are stored away in the most inconvenient place. I imagine it is like that for most people who have to stuff there stuff somewhere other than a walk in closet. I literally have to pep-talk myself up to haul everything out.

Our Christmas decorations are stored under the stairs. Which sounds easy enough, but under the stairs storage place is narrower than my hips, which by my hip standards might appear beefy, but in storage terms is damn right narrow, so I have to turn sideways to carry anything in or out. 

 

 

French Gift Tags

 

As soon as I saw these gift tags I thought I could make these.

I have enough antique ephemera that it would appear I was born in another period of time and brought it with me to this moment.

I bought these for reference, and because they were ready made, and because duh I liked them even if they didn't say, "Merry Christmas".

…

Last Christmas we had a fire in our house, let's just say we were fortunate (that it didn't burn down our house) in an unfortunate situation (damage nevertheless). When the fire was put out water seemed to have sneaked behind the stairwell and saturated the cardboard boxes containing the Christmas decorations. When I managed to pick up the boxes, the bottom of the boxes was mildew and ripped. How I managed not to drop the boxes in that tight space is a miracle.

Some of the Christmas decorations were not salvageable. 

Are your Christmas decorations like old friends? Those little figurines from years gone by First Christmas ornament, Chelsea's first Christmas, Christmas ornaments bought in the States, Handmade ornaments from family…

 

French Gift Tags

 

A few years back our Christmas tree fell over…

Setting up Christmas.

I helped my mom set up her home for Christmas. 

I helped my Aunt Louie set up her home too.

At our home my family loves Christmas, but they like me to set it up without help.

Mlldew boxes in a narrow space did not help my mood.

Gift tags tickled my fancy.

 

French Gift Tags

 

Christmas time. 

Usually, I do not set up for Christmas this early because in France Christmas extends to Epiphany, the twelve days of Christmas. But as we are going to Paris for Christmas, I thought I better set up the house before we leave. 

As I sorted through the mildew boxes of years of collected ornaments I put some of the not ruined ones aside to take to Chelsea for her apartment.

Do you have a Christmas tale to tell?

 

Comments

11 responses to “French Gift Tags and The Christmas Storage Space”

  1. martina

    I was fortunate to find a duplicate to my childhood Nativity set at Goodwill. All the figurines/not the cardboard “wood” stable. Then two years ago, a friend gave me her father’s handmade stable. These are the first items to be put on display every Christmas.
    You are so fortunate that few ornaments were ruined! How about photos of your home with the Christmas décor?

    Reply
  2. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi Martina
    Goodwill comes through! Glad you found a duplicate. I will post photos of my home when all is in place. xx

    Reply
  3. WR

    Despite my vertically-challenged stature, I must fold myself in half and on my knees, make my way across our large crawl-space to the six Christmas green Rubbermaid tubs and haul them out individually throught the rabbit-hole entrance, up two flights of stairs to the living room. Every. Year.
    Amen

    Reply
  4. WR

    Despite my vertically-challenged stature, I must fold myself in half and on my knees, make my way across our large crawl-space to the six Christmas green Rubbermaid tubs and haul them out individually throught the rabbit-hole entrance, up two flights of stairs to the living room. Every. Year.
    Amen

    Reply
  5. jackie

    Each of my 4 kids have gotten a special ornament every Christmas, when they move away from home they have a box full of their own ornaments (and Christmas memories) to take with them. My favorite ornaments are the ones the kids have made over the years. I have 3 Wise Men made from an egg carton!

    Reply
  6. eileen adamson

    With the birth of my son in 1988 i made a picture ornament every year. 4 years later, his sister was born and ever since for the last 26 years there is a picture ornament recording them through the ages. Will give them blank red mat frames when they get married and split the years prior between the two of them. We get such a kick every year laying the frames out prior to putting them on the tree.

    Reply
  7. Nancy

    Hello Corey,
    It’s been a while since I’ve written here, but after this mildew story, I had to comment. You need to purchase small plastic storage bins for your ornaments. I’ve been keeping antique ornaments in plastic storage bins for years. It’s great because it keeps them safe from moisture. Give it a try if you can. So sorry to hear so many got ruined.
    Hugs from me to you.
    Nancy

    Reply
  8. Bonnie Gale

    I contemplated not decorating because I dread dismantling, packing, and storing at the end of the season. But, I host the family celebration, so I had to do something. I love a beautiful entryway. So I started there. The front and back porchs, and guest house entryway are done. A friend drove past and telephoned to say my porches “look elegant.”. Being a sucker for a compliment, I’m inspired to do the mantles. But,, now my attitude is one of enthusiasm. My mother has arrived and we will enjoy the process. But, no tree! I have my limits. Somewhat sadly, we are all adults now. No children but three rescued cats means NO TREE! Again, knowing my limits, paves the way to enjoy the process. Happy decorating everyone.

    Reply
  9. Dd

    Can’t wait to see u r home at Christmas . U r so positive about the damage. My tree has been up for 2 weeks, I don’t have any old childhood ornaments, but cherish the one my kids made. I was also able to find a crèche , at macys , that closely resembled the one from my childhood.

    Reply
  10. Dd

    Btw, love the tags. Inspires me to get out the stamps!

    Reply
  11. Rebecca from the (very wet) pacific northwest

    I am so sad to read about the mildew discovery: when you thought you’d adjusted to all the damage and headache from that fire, here comes one more loss. I would be oh so sad if my ornaments got messed up like that. I love brightly colored glass balls the best — unusual greens and hot red-pinks and purples — and I hang them in windows instead of on a tree. My sister says they “just aren’t right for Christmas” as they should be red and green. Ah well, I’m an off-kilter sort of girl in the decor department.

    Reply

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