Bienvenue à the holiday season! The holiday season full of cozying-in, eating well, giving thanks and gifting aplenty in a myriad of ways. Plus so much more.

As I shared in yesterday’s This & That, all of a sudden it begins! However, with the start of November, I savor the three weeks leading up to Thanksgiving as I shared in this post a couple of years ago as there is no need to rush, but rather savor and thoughtfully begin to ponder how to embrace the holiday season in a way that you will most enjoy along with those loved ones you will be sharing this time with.

This weekend after watching the final Gardeners’ World of the season, I will be snuggling into my sofa with Norman and Nelle near, having poured a hot cuppa, I will pull out my planner, and in pencil, write down the events I most enjoy doing that signify the celebration of the season during this time of year – when I will forage for my holiday tree, when I will make my Christmas Stollen, decorate the front porch with lights and garland and generally come up with a list of things that I wouldn’t want to forget to do or shop for or share with others.

And speaking of shopping, TSLL’s Annual Holiday Gift Guide, specifically curated for the Anglophile and Francophile on your list is now ready for your to peruse at your leisure as you look at your own lists, or perhaps find something you want to nudge Santa to give you this holiday season.

With more than 50 finds (and a few that while not directly French or British certainly speak to what might intrigue or interest a Francophile or Anglophile), from holiday décor, to clothing, to advent calendars, food and more, I do hope you find something that immediately grabs your attention. As well, I have included at the end of today’s post the previous holiday gift guides as many of those finds are still available and also for Francophiles and Anglophiles.

Now, let’s go pour ourselves a cup of chocolat chaud and get started!

Click here for the recipe of my favorite French chocolat chaud. A seasonal go-to at Le Papillon! (which reminds me, I need to go pick up some more dark chocolate at the market! ☺️)

Wishing you a festive and merry start to the holiday season!

~Oh! And one of the holiday albums newly released this year (and included in the list below) is from Cher, and this is one of the songs on her album that will definitely get your toes a tapping and in the mood for a festive holiday season. And don’t worry! I have made sure that if you click on anything as you are listening and perusing this post, you will be taken to a new tab and the music will keep on playing! Enjoy listening while you shop! ☺️ And as they say in Britain and in France Happy Christmas and Joyeuses Fêtes !

For the Foodie and Home Cook

Vosges Haute Chocolat Box, Exotic Truffle Collection, 16 pieces (from Goldbelly)

Le Creuset, Build Your Own Set and Save!

Choose your color, and pick the items you want to include in your personal kitchen. In so doing, save up to 30% off!

Mosser Glass Milk White Cake Stand (four sizes available)

~Fortnum & Mason’s Christmas Black Tea

~Fortnum & Mason’s Christmas Green Tea

~Wine Map of France

~The Fortnum’s Christmas Collection Hamper

~Marin Montagut’s limited edition Café de Flore teapot

~There are many items in this limited collection inspired by Café de Flore. I have included two below.

~Carnet Café de Flore

~Galaxy Croissants (bake at home), Williams-Sonoma (packages of 8, 15 or 30)

~Ladurée Gourmandise, box of 24 macarons

~Fromages.com for all of your French cheese needs!

~ships internationally. Ship individual cheese or carefully curated Cheeseboards such as the three examples below (award winning French cheeses, the classic Tour de France board, and a fall collection, plus more)

For the Book Lover

~The Unofficial Ted Lasso Cookbook (to be released November 14th)

~The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris One Lesson at a Time, a memoir by Jane Bertch

~Romantic Era Poets Book Set, Juniper Books

~Inside: At Home with Great Designers (released in September 2022)

~William Morris’ Flowers (V & A Museum)

~The Complete Book of French Cooking (released September 2023)

~Simple French Baking: Over 80 Sweet Recipes for the Home Cook by Manon Lagrève (released May 2023)

~The British Baking Book: The History of British Baking – Savory and Sweet by Regula Ysewijn (released September 2020)

~French Literature Book Set

~Heroines of the 19th Century Trio Set, from Penguin Classics

Clothing

Irish Wool Herringbone Blazer

~for him (or oversized for her), from Faherty

~Barbour Fair Isles Gloves, navy

~Maeve Heritage Houndstooth scarf, more colors, Anthropologie

~Eric Bombard Tartan Jacquard wrapover skirt, cashmere-wool blend

~Barbour Union Jack socks, navy, women’s

~Eric Bompard Colour Block scarf, 83% cashmere

~Burberry Cotton Cap, archived Beige color (two other colors available)

~Swaine, London collapsible umbrellas (luxury)

~Londonwood Umbrellas, telescopic Maple wood handle (three colors)

Cozying-In

~Souter & Sons antique Victorian copper tea kettle

~19th century antique Georgian Copper Kettle

~Dog Carolers Mug, Anthropologie

~Carrière Frères Winter Candle Collection (three scents)

Holiday Décor

New England Bells Traditional Strap Collection (choose how many bells you want)

~Wool Knit Stockings, many designs (below are just a few), found at Weston Table

~Rowen + Wren (UK) Brass, antique finish, Christmas tree stand

~Creekside Farms Magnolia Greens Wreath

~Passport Ornament, glass blown, from Old World Christmas

~Wedgwood Joy ornament

~Liberty Storefront Delft Teapot ornament

~Liberty London stockings (many more than shown below)

Holiday Calendars

~La Maison du Chocolat’s Advent Calendar

~Uncommon Good’s Book Lover’s Advent Calendar

~Uncommon Good’s Explore with Spice: A Global Culinary Calendar

~Palais des Thés Advent Calendar

~ Bonne Maman’s Limited Edition 2023 Advent Calendar

~Fortnum & Mason’s Tea Filled Wooden advent calendar (other options available)

~Walker’s Shortbread Limited Edition Advent Calendar

~Liberty London Beauty Advent Calendar

Holiday Cards

—Rifle Paper Co.’s Holiday Cards

~SHOP THE CARDS:

~Shop MINTED’s Holiday Cards through 11/16 and save 30% (use promo code JOY2023)

~SHOP MORE CARDS:

~Paper Culture, save 50% off holiday cards through 11/16 (sustainably designed)

~Liberty Christmas Card, box of 8

New Holiday Music Releases

Cher’s Christmas (released October 23, 2023)

How has there NEVER been a Christmas album from the iconic Cher?! Well, now there is. Wahoo! Listen/watch to her interview about how she approached this album. It sounds like a fun album and I am definitely picking up my own copy.

And one more song from the album . . . “What Christmas Means to Me” with Stevie Wonder

Bing Crosby’s Christmas Gems (released October 27, 2023)

Well, now I am definitely in the mood for the holiday season to begin! And be sure to stop by on Thursday November 23rd (yep! Thanksgiving afternoon!) when the holiday episode of The Simply Luxurious Kitchen cooking show will be shared! Recorded in the English countryside, I will be making a classic French dessert, a new tradition in my own holiday baking repertoire, a Bûche de Noël. More simple than you may have ever thought possible and guided by a trusted French patisserie chef, this is a recipe that will perhaps become a favorite of yours, like mine, as well. November 23rd!

~Visit the cooking show page on the blog, and visit Season 6 to find the recipe if you are viewing this post after November 23rd.

~And if you fancy taking a vicarious trip to England with me, be sure to explore the three-part Travel Diary series sharing detailed posts, photos, finds and inspiration enjoyed and discovered during my recent trip to England this past October (2023).

Explore Past Years’ Holiday Gift Guides from TSLL

2020’s Holiday Gift Guide: 40+ French & British-themed