Satire Edition: Christmas Gifts for the Parisian Who Has It All

With Christmas fast approaching, the wave of festive parties upon us and gift-giving in full swing, don’t let your Parisian friends go empty-handed this year! That’s right, for the Parisian who seemingly has it all, a gift is still waiting to be given. Read between the lines of humor, and you might even find the perfect gift for your friend this winter.

“It’s not Versailles here”, or is it?

Orangerie du Roy – Eau de Toilette

For the Parisian who jests that their humble 35 square meter apartment is not the Palace of Versailles, who says it can’t be? Make your Parisian friend’s dreams come true by turning a small living space into their very own Versailles, with the art of perfumery. Inspired by King Louis XIV’s favorite fragrance from the Orangerie du Roy (The King’s Orangerie), this citrusy orange blossom is sure to bring any home to life. Did you know that following King Louis XIV’s rule, a book called The Delights of France, published in 1685, paid homage to the scent of the orangeries while alluding to the accessibility of French refinement in domestic homes?

“One had to place the orange blossom around the beds, decorate the bedrooms with it, strew the alcoves with their flowers, crush them underfoot so as to release their scent; stuff the cushions with a thousand aromas, wash one’s hands and bathe in perfumed water, to put its flowers in the alcohol stills to extract its purest essence, and douse everything, including the serviettes, clothes, shrouds, shirts, tights, slippers and all the house furniture in its precious odors…”

Over 300 years later, will your Parisian friend be given the opportunity to do the same?

Relaxing nightwear for cold nights

Women’s Heart-Pattern Cotton Pyjamas – Petit Bateau

Of course, the real Parisian sleeps à poil, with only the heat from their lover to keep them warm during the winter nights, perhaps wearing a dab of perfume at most. Yet while this is entirely true, any Parisian would be delighted to receive a set of good-quality pyjamas to last them for the festive seasons to come. Because there is nothing that the Parisian city dweller loves to wear more at home than comfortable and chic pyjamas. And if a trip to the local laverie results in the wrong wash settings being used (yes, it’s happened to us all at least once), these can double up as the perfect re-purposed (and re-sized) Christmas gift for little ones in the family.

A French classic

Gigi, by Colette – Gibert Joseph

Think Satre, Sagan, Colette, anything that would look perfectly cliché if pulled out at Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore. Of course, the real Parisian would rather avoid a sea of tourists. Such literature would be reserved solely for contemplative reading in public gardens like the Jardin du Luxembourg or Parc Montsouris or, at a push, on quieter Metro journeys to and from meetings with friends. 

What else would Parisians talk about over a coffee if not the existentialist philosophies of Jean-Paul Sartre? 

Ski-inspired gifts

White Powder Glove – Colourwear

When Christmas rolls around, there are two types of Parisians: those who stay in the city, wishing they were enjoying the ski season, and those who flee to the slopes. All jokes aside, if you have a Parisian friend who is an avid skier at this time of year, whether it be Gstaad, Chamonix, or somewhere with more affordable facilities, a little snow-themed gift will go a long way (if done right, hopefully to the top of a mountain!). 

Even if your Parisian friend only goes for the après-ski, rest assured that some warm mittens will always be useful, especially when keeping one’s hands warm while holding a cold bottle of beer…

A stylish, sustainable shopping tote

CSAO Printed Design Tote – La Samaritaine

For the Parisian who likes to shop in style while being thoughtful of the environment, what gift could be better than a reusable and sturdy tote bag? To survive weekly shopping trips to Monoprix, to be dragged up and down the steps of the Metro and hold heavy-duty library books—the large tote bag is never without purpose. Bonus points if it’s extra pretty. These printed totes from CSAO (Compagnie du Sénégal et de l’Afrique de l’Ouest) are hand-stitched in Senegal. CSAO was founded in 1995 with a mission to spread the best craftsmanship of West African artisans and artists, in Paris. 

Un cendrier with character

Porcelain Ashtray – Dolce&Gabbana

For the Parisian who is partial to the odd tobacco product, why not surprise them with a luxury ashtray to take pride of place in their Parisian home? While many Parisians like to smoke (just glance at any busy terrace across Paris!), the gift might still be well-received by non-smokers. Even if your Parisian friend does not smoke (a healthier choice), at least one of their friends likely will when attending their soirées! We have seen how the classic, bespoke lighter gifted year after year is easily misplaced or taken by someone in search of a light at a party — but who would want to slip away with an ornate ashtray? No one, that is, unless they want to get ash all over their belongings.

Something sweet

La chaussette de Noël et ses papillotes – À la Mère de Famille

Believe it or not, but between cigarettes and short black espresso shots, Parisians do enjoy a sweet treat from time to time. Let us not forget Paris’s long love affair with chocolate, first introduced to Louis XIII’s court in 1615 as a wedding gift from his bride-to-be, Anne of Austria. Now, whether you have seen your Parisian friend indulge in a pain au chocolat in the morning or nibble on some chocolate later in the day during l’heure du goûter, they will undoubtedly appreciate an artisan chocolate offering from the fine chocolatiers across Paris.

Something caffeinated

Cafetière italienne- Belleville Brûlerie

As mentioned, Parisians value a good coffee. Whether it be au lait or a dark coffee bean shade of brown, it just needs to be caffeinated. If your Parisian friends are willing to accept that Italians are the experts in the coffee department, why not gift them a moka pot à l’italienne so they can make quality morning coffees from the convenience of their own kitchenette?

The Scarf – “au cas où” (just in case)

Wool and cashmere scarf – Sandro Paris

For the Parisian who adorns a scarf all year round, come rain or shine, why not gift them on Christmas Day a new and revitalized écharpe? That is, just in case one scarf has been left behind at their partner’s home, one scarf was loaned to their best friend, another borrowed by their mother, and their last scarf is now being used to wrap Christmas presents because they’ve run out of wrapping paper. They’re suddenly scarfless, a punishable offence in the Île-de-France. Get your friend out of trouble by sprucing up their trusted accessory this winter.