New Orleanians absolutely adore Christmas. Even though it can be 80 degrees here in December, the city bedecks and bedazzles their homes in the most elaborate Christmas decorations imaginable. In an attempt to wrap ourselves in this indulgent holiday atmosphere, Caroline and I had a Christmas Tree Decorating Party/ABC Family Movie Watching Night at her place. As we laughed at the jokes in The Santa Clause and The Santa Clause III, we trimmed the tree and drank cinnamon tea to warm our bellies.
I like taking strolls in the French Quarter at night during the holiday season. The Quarter is actually quite safe after nightfall if you stick to Jackson Square and the area around the French Market. These areas are bustling with tourists taking advantage of Christmas New Orleans Style -- the city-sponsored holiday events throughout the month of December. Each week night, for example, there are free concerts at St. Louis Cathedral. I went to hear the Franklin Avenue Baptist Choir last Tuesday. The choir director started out the concert saying, "We are not here to entertain you. We are here to celebrate Christ! We are going to be holding church right here and now and we welcome you to join us!" I hate to use the word "authentic" to describe this event (too many implications in the word for a cultural historian), but it was inspiring to hear these passionate individuals sing the songs that are an essential part of their religious observation on most Sundays. Their energy was tangible and contagious. This 60-person choir had the entire cathedral (which was packed, by the way) up and on their feet to sing and dance along to the call and response parts of their performance. It was amazing to see so many people get caught up in the fervor of this event.
There seems to a be a holiday event nearly every evening (cookie exchanges, cocktail parties, book signings etc). I am grateful that I have my car to scoot around to these various events. Sometimes I pull off of the side of the road to snap photos of particularly well-decorated homes and businesses:
Last, but not least, Caroline and I enjoyed heading out to a family friend's home this past Friday for a good ol' fashion Christmas party. It was so lovely to drive out to the suburbs, sit by the crackling fire, snack on holiday appetizers and desserts, and meet a bunch of men and women with thick southern accents and strong senses of hospitality. Their Christmas tree was lovely (covered in both glass blown and homemade ornaments) and reminded me of home.
I like taking strolls in the French Quarter at night during the holiday season. The Quarter is actually quite safe after nightfall if you stick to Jackson Square and the area around the French Market. These areas are bustling with tourists taking advantage of Christmas New Orleans Style -- the city-sponsored holiday events throughout the month of December. Each week night, for example, there are free concerts at St. Louis Cathedral. I went to hear the Franklin Avenue Baptist Choir last Tuesday. The choir director started out the concert saying, "We are not here to entertain you. We are here to celebrate Christ! We are going to be holding church right here and now and we welcome you to join us!" I hate to use the word "authentic" to describe this event (too many implications in the word for a cultural historian), but it was inspiring to hear these passionate individuals sing the songs that are an essential part of their religious observation on most Sundays. Their energy was tangible and contagious. This 60-person choir had the entire cathedral (which was packed, by the way) up and on their feet to sing and dance along to the call and response parts of their performance. It was amazing to see so many people get caught up in the fervor of this event.
There seems to a be a holiday event nearly every evening (cookie exchanges, cocktail parties, book signings etc). I am grateful that I have my car to scoot around to these various events. Sometimes I pull off of the side of the road to snap photos of particularly well-decorated homes and businesses:
Last, but not least, Caroline and I enjoyed heading out to a family friend's home this past Friday for a good ol' fashion Christmas party. It was so lovely to drive out to the suburbs, sit by the crackling fire, snack on holiday appetizers and desserts, and meet a bunch of men and women with thick southern accents and strong senses of hospitality. Their Christmas tree was lovely (covered in both glass blown and homemade ornaments) and reminded me of home.
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