Veem
Member
Posts: 12,016
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Post by Veem on Jul 18, 2021 12:10:32 GMT 1
We've been invited to a steering rack by French friends. Years ago when I first came across the word crémaillère, it meant exactly that.
But of course in the current context it's a house warming party. We haven't been to one before and wonder if there are socially accepted (perhaps expected) things we should take to give to our hosts. They are running the 'do' over a complete weekend and we have indicated a day and time when we'd like to attend. Do you think that is normal, or perhaps they've arranged it like that to avoid a large number of people gathering because of Covid.
We don't want to turn up as the only empty handed guests, nor as the only ones to arrive bearing gifts. So I'd like suggestions please as to what would be acceptable.
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Post by gigi on Jul 18, 2021 12:43:20 GMT 1
We've been invited to a steering rack by French friends. Years ago when I first came across the word crémaillère, it meant exactly that. But of course in the current context it's a house warming party. We haven't been to one before and wonder if there are socially accepted (perhaps expected) things we should take to give to our hosts. They are running the 'do' over a complete weekend and we have indicated a day and time when we'd like to attend. Do you think that is normal, or perhaps they've arranged it like that to avoid a large number of people gathering because of Covid. We don't want to turn up as the only empty handed guests, nor as the only ones to arrive bearing gifts. So I'd like suggestions please as to what would be acceptable. I expect that they are being sensible in this time of Covid to keep numbers at any one time small, and it means that they can spend time chatting with friends in ‘their spot’ rather than having to go to greet new arrivals. A really good plan. I’ve usually taken plants for the garden such as lavender or roses, depending on where in France the house is, what time of year it is and whether or not there’s already a well-planted garden, along with a new house card. Other than those I’ve only taken a decent bottle of Champagne; always welcome and isn’t obtrusive, rather than something like a big bouquet might be. Enjoy the lovely crémaillère with your friends. |
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Veem
Member
Posts: 12,016
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Post by Veem on Jul 18, 2021 12:56:11 GMT 1
Thank you Gigi. We haven't even seen the house because all this happened since the start of Covid. All I know about the place is what our mutual farrier has told me - which is more about how the horses are than what the house and garden is like!
I searched high and low for a 'Welcome to your new home' card a month ago when Biggles' brother moved, but I couldn't find anything at all. I think it might be a bottle of champagne.
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Post by woolybanana on Jul 18, 2021 13:02:01 GMT 1
Maybe make a card?
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Post by Loiseau on Jul 18, 2021 19:22:28 GMT 1
Not sure this will work, as it's my first go at adding an image to a post... Anyway, it was just to say that this is the sort of crémaillère you will be helping to hang ("pendre la crémaillère"), from which your hosts would have dangled the bubbling cauldron of delicious French "pot au feu" over the fire during their future life in the new house. EDIT to endorse Gigi's suggestion of taking a nice plant (not chrysanthemums though!). Attachments:
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Veem
Member
Posts: 12,016
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Post by Veem on Jul 18, 2021 19:30:39 GMT 1
Thank you Loiseau.
Well done on posting a photo! I haven't managed that yet - in fact I haven't even tried yet.
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