It’s my first Christmas in Paris. Chestnuts are roasting on an open fire…Ok, maybe not an open fire. More like chestnuts roasting on a silver aluminum platter resting over hot coals in a metal garbage can, but who cares? The chestnuts are still warm and roasted. And they are certainly everywhere, especially at the metro entrances. Nat King Cole would be thrilled.

And what does the City of Light have to offer in the light department? Let’s just say, A LOT! Ok, if you are in the primarily Muslim area of the 10th you are not going to find too much in the way of holiday lighting, but walk down the Champs-Elysees during this time of year and you will get a big dose of Christmas. Every tree aligning the street has streams of blueish-white lights running down the branches. Many of the shops have lights outside on the buildings, as well. I was trying to determine if I liked it or if it was too gauche. I decided to lean on the side of liking it. If they put up just one more light, however, it would look like Las Vegas.

While in the U.S., avid light stringers align doors, windows and rooftops with flickering lights. Here in Paris, strands of lights are hung either vertically or in lace-like designs covering windows and even walls. It’s as though banners of strung lights are hanging from the rooftops of both private residences and many public buildings.

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