Summer holiday shopping with Christmas in mind.

[Theothername]

One of my favourite parts of the summer holiday is shopping to come home, and the chance to stock up on some lovely French treats for Christmas.

Wine, obviously. Lots of unusual sweets and biscuits (if the dates are ok; usually we holiday in August so it’s a bit earlier this year) and some Dop shower gels for the dc’s stockings. Hoping for some nice craft bits and bobs too. And I’ve picked up a couple of souvenirs that will get turned into tree baubles.

Ooh - good idea. We are away soon, so I might take a greater interest in the gift shops. Neither of us drink wine really, and the dc/partners prefer spirits, so maybe I'll look for Yorkshire gin, if there is such a thing.

Theothername, Sorry, I know nothing about French goodies, but I would love to see the souvenirs?

I always liked the French supermarkets for their stationery. A note book/ diary/ journal is a bit more special if it’s in French and works well for stocking fillers.

@gardenmusicOne of them is a wooden model of a house martin I picked up at a bird sanctuary. There were some nesting at our campsite and we’ve been watching them for the last few days. I think it might be perfect as it is but I’ve often converted holiday souvenirs into decorations with a nice ribbon and a coat of glitter glue. Obviously that’s low standards eclectic taste in Christmas trees!

@SlatternIsMyMiddleName absolutely. The excitement as a child at a notebook with squared pages!!!!

Theothername
I think the wooden house martin would look lovely.
It's not low standards to have a tree hanging with lovely memories - every year it's like seeing old friends, and reviving good times.

Rhodia notebooks with the orange cover!