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Christmas festivities

Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to decorate the home and feel like a child again. Although steeped in tradition, Christmas ornaments can still fit in with a contemporary interior. It's all a question of how much and what sort. 
 
Rather than going overboard with colours, it's best to limit yourself to 2 or 3 for your christmas wreath, tree and table decorations. Red and green are the traditional christmas colours. Green symbolises vegetation and the hope of new life in the middle of winter. Red come from apples. The forbidden fruit was the main christmas tree ornament up until the middle of the 19th century, when baubles first appeared. The first Christmas baubles were made by a glass-blower in Meisenthal in the Vosges Mountains in 1858 to make up the shortage of apples that year. Other colour combinations can also be attractive. White and silver go well with winter tonings. On a Christmas tree, the transparency of glass  baubles creates a soft harmony with silver-coloured decorations and white ribbons.

Make the most of different materials : crystal and silver give a sophisticated look, while wood and flannel echo Scandinavian simplicity. Flannel figurines, hearts and stars form delightful  garlands to hang on the walls and over the fireplace.

Lights and candles are an essential part of the warmth and magic of Christmas in the home. Christmas and light have always been associated. The church chose the winter solstice to commemorate the birth of Christ in order to replace the pagan rites of the time with a Christian feast day. December, the darkest month of the year, has always been a time of festivity and light, the best-known examples being Jewish Hanukkah and Saint Lucy in Scandinavia. In Sweden, on Saint Lucy's Day on 13th December, the streets are full of processions of young girls singing with candles in their hands. Christmas has perpetrated this tradition and light plays an important symbolic role : candles on the Christmas wreath, the star on the top of the tree lit with candles or electric garlands.

Many traditions also surround Christmas table decoration. In Provence in the south of France, three tablecloths, one on top of the other, are decorated with three candelabra, symbolising the Holy Trinity. Next day, only one tablecloth is kept and covered with a red one. Holly, mistletoe and pinecones are to be found on tables throughout Europe. They simply replace the lack of flowers at this time of the year. Mistletoe was a sacred plant for the Celts. They used to hang it over the front door and kiss their visitors as they came in as a sign of hospitality. Holly is a symbol of immortality and a reminder of the Escape to Egypt. It was used to cover the Holy Family and hide them from Herod's killers.

In keeping with the festive holiday menu, Christmas tableware is very refined. For a chic, designer table, "Confettis" plates decorated with platinum rain are perfect. The "Affamée" series by the same designers, Sigolene Prébois and Catherine Lévy, plays with the contrast between the sparkling white of porcelain and the glitter of metal, sublime on a festive table. Guests will appreciate a small gift and party accessories next to each place setting.

So now all you need to do is wait for Santa Claus to come!
 

Strasbourg, Capital of Christmas from 28 November to 31 December.
Strasbourg has been holding its famous Christmas market around its impressive cathedral since 1570! Over the years, the cities&rsquo reputation has grown throughout Europe thanks to its tradition of trade but also its spirit of tolerance and humanism which have given it a distinctive history and identity.
The Christmas markets offer visitors a touch of adventure and plenty of fine flavours! The hundreds of talented craftsmen who sell their wares on the market provide a chance to discover some enchanting festive products, including at the Bredle Market. &ldquoBredle&rdquo are delicious little cakes traditionally prepared during the advent period.