The Postcard Project redux and a gift from the heart

Faith - what the season's all about... Photo of store sign on Oxford Street, London for Holli and her Faith.

For readers participating in the Postcard Project earlier this year, a vintage postcard or Christmas card from Paris is now winging its way to you. Depending upon the holiday mail service and the distance the cards are traveling, yours may not reach you until New Year's. But it's the thought that counts, right? And I want to thank you for your enthusiastic participation in the project, as well as for consistently reading Paris Parfait.

While photographing beautiful Christmas windows in Paris and London, I've been struck by the artistry - the stylists' vision in taking elements of nature, combining them with luxurious clothing and fashioning beautiful vignettes. But in the stores - particularly in London - I was taken aback by the sheer commercialism and the volume of things we simply don't need.

Most of us are blessed to have what we need. A roof over our heads; food to eat; clothes to wear; (hopefully) reasonably good health; some simple pleasures and most importantly, the love of our family and friends. Yet the world is filled with people who have so little; with those who have lost so much.

For many years, I've had an interest in helping refugees and displaced persons forced from their homes. In places like Africa and the Middle East, time after time we've seen a mass exodus of refugees, fleeing some fresh tribal conflict or imminent danger.

I'll never forget meeting one beautiful young Palestinian woman who had married a rich, older man from Dubai. Her sole aim was that he would buy property and a home for her, as she and her family had lost everything in the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Having lived her entire life as a refugee, her desperation in wanting something tangible for herself and her extended family was understandable.

But to see refugees in my own country defies all logic. Our government has failed the people of New Orleans. Cleaning up the mess of Hurricane Katrina has been left largely to private citizens and philanthropists. Many ongoing projects are rebuilding schools and homes.

I've been particularly impressed by the Make It Right project, initiated by Brad Pitt, 13 well-known architects and a group of New Orleans citizens. They're working to raise money to build environmentally-sound homes for citizens of the Lower Ninth Ward. Almost without exception, the homeowners in this area lost everything to flood damage. If these homes are built, many residents will be able to return home, after more than two years of living like refugees.

My husband and I are giving our children Christmas presents, as usual. But we have decided - in lieu of giffts to relatives and friends - to contribute to Make It Right. The foundation needs donations of any size to help get these houses built. Our assistance, collectively, will make the dream of going home just a bit more real for some New Orleans citizens. And especially at Christmas, couldn't we all use a little hope?

Photo of stack of holiday gifts at Liberty, London.

Comments

[lasireneserene]

thanks for the inspiration and the link .
I enjoy your blog , i am glad that i found you.
merci beaucoup.

[annieelf]

Oh, I hope I get one. We tried and tried Tara, but mine never arrived the first time around. Sob.

[Amber]

Tara, I was inspired by you. When asked what we wanted for Christmas today, we requested a donation to Make It Right. Thank you for talking about this, and planting a seed!

:)

[Karen]

The Make It Right campaign for New Orleans is a great one - I saw the story earlier this month and am also supporting it. While there continues to be strife world wide, it is important to be aware of the things we can do to help in our own country, in our own backyards. When cancer hit our family - my husband and recently my 12 year old daughter, I found that even our own homes - especially our own homes - also need our attention. I think the biggest difference we can often make starts there. I am blessed to have my whole family with me this Christmas and am thankful that now we can start to once again look to helping those outside of the walls of our home. Every month we return to our Children's Hospital to visit those who do not get to go home & we bring them special things to read & do, and it reminds us that everyone has something that they are meant to impact; even if it means that you need to first live through what they are trying so hard to survive themselves.
And these things need our attention all year long; not just at Christmas. Thank you for using this blog to promote something like Make It Right (and to share those gorgeous windows - !!)
With all the amazing things that you do, I hope you also fit in a wonderful holiday and maybe a little relaxation! xo

[Pete]

Tara,
Not only do you somehow manage to cram 30 hours into every day but your pictures and sentiments as always first class. I can't think of another web site or blog that could give us brilliant photos, news about Palestine, views on the buying of useless presents at Christmas, a paragraph about New Orleans aid and the sending of your Cristmas cards all in a single post. Amazing, Tara.

[Captain Cat]

I thoroughly echo Gillian's thoughts there. So much for the American Dream. Yet here in Afghanistan, America is the place people dream of emigrating to.

I really love your idea for Christmas. I'm planning a trip to New Orleans soon with my boyfriend, I'll be interested to see what it's like down there.

Take care Tara and thanks for this post.
x

[Amber]

Such a great idea, Tara! I was just reading about that project somewhere, and thought how good it was that at least SOMEone is trying to help.

:)

[rochambeau]

Thank you Tara for your compassion.
You have a beautiful shining soul.
That is why your Mother named you Tara.
She knew you'd be a star!

xox
Constance

[Le petit cabinet de curiosites]

Wonderful ideas for christmas !!
Thank ypu for helping us to be better !
Joyeux noel et meilleurs voeux Tara

[tinker]

What a wonderful idea that present that is, Tara. Blessings to you~xOx

[rel]

Tara,
As grandpa Walton said; You have a giving heart, Tara.
rel

[Southern Heart]

Tara, that's a great cause, and a new favorite of DH's, too. We kind of consider N'awlins a home away from home. I'm so glad that you mentioned it here.

xo, Andrea

[holli]

I am going to scour my email (I responded in my comments, but I'll write it here too), but I'm convinced either someone is checking my email for me or there is some other issue.. I did not get your message.

I love the balance of "hope" to faith. And I would love to be there to take Faith's picture in front of that picture - thank you so much for sharing that photograph... you are so thoughtful, Tara... I especially like your idea of donating Christmas money to a charity. That is a wonderful idea.

XOX

[awareness]

wonderful idea Tara..... I watched Brad Pitt interviewed last week on this new initiative and it seemed like a very well thought out attempt to try to rebuild that part of New Orleans that has obviously been written off by the "powers that still be"

it boggles the mind how governments can pour buckets and billions of dollars into a bottomless pit and nothing gets accomplished. The Canadian example is how our govt. has "dealt with" and wholeheartedly messed up the aboriginal communities, especially the more remote ones. And yet.......the money gets poured somewhere. The living conditions remain the same....absolutely deplorable.

[christie]

I find your blog, your perspective and you amazing! This is what I search for, thanks!

[fleur]

Great post and great idea -- you're so right. I'm going to do that and pass the idea along too.

[jzr]

You are right on, Tara! For many of us the spirit of Christmas is missing in American Consumerism. And the "spirit" should really be felt all year long. There are so many in need of the basic things in life. We have contributed to numerous causes in the names of our loved ones this year and it feels really good.

Hope you have blessed holidays

[Jeanne]

I love you my sweet friend.
Love you
Jeanne

[Kimberly Ann]

Wonderful suggestion! Three cheers for making things right.

[Bibbi Forsman]

I love this season when we are reminded of our blessings and wish good for others! To be able to give with your heart to those less fortunate is a gift in itself, and you are an inspiration. I'm telling my friends not to give me christmas gifts, but if they wish they can share a gift with me and add more to a school project in Asia. And it makes everyone happy, me, friends and hopefully the kids!

[Passementerie]

I hate that aspect of the Christmas season. Dublin is insane during December and although the Lafayette and Printemps were pretty busy today, it wasn't the same at all. I shudder to think what it must be like in the US, where people even go into debt for Christmas.

Years ago, working in an office, I got talking to the cleaning lady. It transpired that she didn't usually clean toilets for a living, but that she was a stay at home mother who had taken on this job so that she could give her two children presents exceeding one thousand euros. All I could do was gape at her.

[Di Overton]

Now you know why I prefer to shop in Paris rather than London. You can only have room for so much stuff but here in the UK the shop owners think we all live in houses the size of Buckingham Palace. Down with needless crap - that's what I say.

[materfamilias]

Couldn't agree more -- we had such a good time together as a family doing an "early Christmas" thing a few weeks ago (because one of my daughters was going to be away) -- because it was early, the budget was slashed since I had no time for decorations and we focused on being together rather than on gifts -- it was wonderful! less stress, less waste and much fun! We'll still do regular Christmas but try to apply the lesson learned and we're lucky to have a good cause to send the excess to (friends who travel to Vietnam every year to build homes, wells, orphanages, etc.). Do you think this idea might be catching on?

[Anil]

Not too long ago, demand drove supply. Now it is about creating demand for supply!

[Cherie]

Tara, as always you write straight to the heart of any subject and this is no exception.

And it's why I knew that giving you an amazing blogger award was a must...pop in to see me for the December 10th post at Esprit * d'Art where I've left a little something for you.

Your generosity, kindness and human compassion make you someone I am thrilled to have met.

[Gillian]

Tara
My husband works with some people from N.O. And they are still living in massive destruction down there. Whether you have money or don't, you can't get anything done down there. It is amazing how many billions are pouring into Iraq but they can't seem to send anyone to help rebuild...isn't that a worthy fight? Why strive to be American, and live the "American Dream" if it is in rubble and shambles?
Loved your photos from the last few days...I'll be by later to comment.
Your husbands and your gift to each other is amazing. I'll check out the site today.
xoxo
Gillian

[Becca]

I think this is a wonderful idea - I have long felt that shopping for endless things none of us need is completely antithetical to the message of this season.

This organization is doing worthy work, right here in our own country. I will definitely support it.

Thanks for the suggestion :)