Nicola here, wishing you a very happy 10th day of Christmas! Today I am taking down my Christmas decorations and putting them away for another year. I read recently that we do the Christmas decorating thing the wrong way around – we put our decorations up too early and take them down too early too. Whereas our ancestors, knowing how dark and depressing the early days of January can be, kept on partying as long as possible!
Anyway, here is a very sweet story, courtesy of the BBC, to celebrate the fact that we are still officially in the 12 days of Christmas party season – and what better way to celebrate than with some pastries and chocolate before those resolutions kick in!
"There was, in Lyon, at the end of the 18th Century, a certain patissier called Monsieur Papillot who had in his employ a young apprentice who, in turn, had an eye for a certain beautiful maiden who lived just across the street.
The young lad contrived to woo her by stealing the choicest of his master's chocolates, one by one, and disguising them in paper – plain on the outside, but covered with illicit messages of love and promised passion on the inside – to smuggle them out of the kitchen.
Now, Papillot was an attentive businessman and soon noticed the missing chocolates. He set watch over his apprentice but when he discovered the ruse instead of sacking the boy he congratulated him on his enterprise. The lad and the maiden were wed and Papillot invented the papillote and thereby made his fortune.”
The papilotte, a chocolate or candied fruit wrapped in papers, became a French Christmas tradition. 
Here is a picture of a papillote. I couldn’t find one in the local shops so I’m “making do” with a chocolate éclair for my tea break today.
If you were to woo a loved one with chocolate or some sort of sweet treat, what would you choose?
Love the story of the papillote Nicola. As far as chocolates go,love them all. Unfortunately they are bad for me, but I still manage to eat some at Christmas. I justify this by buying those in the shape of a christmas tree, santa clause, or a present. I don’t feel quite so guilty by keeping in the christmas theme.
Love the story of the papillote Nicola. As far as chocolates go,love them all. Unfortunately they are bad for me, but I still manage to eat some at Christmas. I justify this by buying those in the shape of a christmas tree, santa clause, or a present. I don’t feel quite so guilty by keeping in the christmas theme.
Love the story of the papillote Nicola. As far as chocolates go,love them all. Unfortunately they are bad for me, but I still manage to eat some at Christmas. I justify this by buying those in the shape of a christmas tree, santa clause, or a present. I don’t feel quite so guilty by keeping in the christmas theme.
Love the story of the papillote Nicola. As far as chocolates go,love them all. Unfortunately they are bad for me, but I still manage to eat some at Christmas. I justify this by buying those in the shape of a christmas tree, santa clause, or a present. I don’t feel quite so guilty by keeping in the christmas theme.
Love the story of the papillote Nicola. As far as chocolates go,love them all. Unfortunately they are bad for me, but I still manage to eat some at Christmas. I justify this by buying those in the shape of a christmas tree, santa clause, or a present. I don’t feel quite so guilty by keeping in the christmas theme.
Hmmmm, what would be the best and most romantic sweet treat? I’d probably go with some kind of fruit tart, preferably with raspberries and delicious light pastry. A Napoleon would do very well, too!
Hmmmm, what would be the best and most romantic sweet treat? I’d probably go with some kind of fruit tart, preferably with raspberries and delicious light pastry. A Napoleon would do very well, too!
Hmmmm, what would be the best and most romantic sweet treat? I’d probably go with some kind of fruit tart, preferably with raspberries and delicious light pastry. A Napoleon would do very well, too!
Hmmmm, what would be the best and most romantic sweet treat? I’d probably go with some kind of fruit tart, preferably with raspberries and delicious light pastry. A Napoleon would do very well, too!
Hmmmm, what would be the best and most romantic sweet treat? I’d probably go with some kind of fruit tart, preferably with raspberries and delicious light pastry. A Napoleon would do very well, too!
Haha! I like your cunning ruse, Jenny! I often wonder why the things that are bad for us are so often our favourites!
Haha! I like your cunning ruse, Jenny! I often wonder why the things that are bad for us are so often our favourites!
Haha! I like your cunning ruse, Jenny! I often wonder why the things that are bad for us are so often our favourites!
Haha! I like your cunning ruse, Jenny! I often wonder why the things that are bad for us are so often our favourites!
Haha! I like your cunning ruse, Jenny! I often wonder why the things that are bad for us are so often our favourites!
Oooh, delicious pastry! Very tempting, Mary Jo. I love raspberries too.
Oooh, delicious pastry! Very tempting, Mary Jo. I love raspberries too.
Oooh, delicious pastry! Very tempting, Mary Jo. I love raspberries too.
Oooh, delicious pastry! Very tempting, Mary Jo. I love raspberries too.
Oooh, delicious pastry! Very tempting, Mary Jo. I love raspberries too.
I love this story, Nicola — thanks. I love the idea of the messages on the wrapping. I do like chocolate and a romantic treat would be some really good hand-made chocolates.
I love this story, Nicola — thanks. I love the idea of the messages on the wrapping. I do like chocolate and a romantic treat would be some really good hand-made chocolates.
I love this story, Nicola — thanks. I love the idea of the messages on the wrapping. I do like chocolate and a romantic treat would be some really good hand-made chocolates.
I love this story, Nicola — thanks. I love the idea of the messages on the wrapping. I do like chocolate and a romantic treat would be some really good hand-made chocolates.
I love this story, Nicola — thanks. I love the idea of the messages on the wrapping. I do like chocolate and a romantic treat would be some really good hand-made chocolates.
Thanks, Anne! Have you made chocolates? We tried one Christmas and had lots of fun. Messy, though!
Thanks, Anne! Have you made chocolates? We tried one Christmas and had lots of fun. Messy, though!
Thanks, Anne! Have you made chocolates? We tried one Christmas and had lots of fun. Messy, though!
Thanks, Anne! Have you made chocolates? We tried one Christmas and had lots of fun. Messy, though!
Thanks, Anne! Have you made chocolates? We tried one Christmas and had lots of fun. Messy, though!
Chocolate truffles is the way to woo a loved one, offered with a glass of Beaujolais wine !
Chocolate truffles is the way to woo a loved one, offered with a glass of Beaujolais wine !
Chocolate truffles is the way to woo a loved one, offered with a glass of Beaujolais wine !
Chocolate truffles is the way to woo a loved one, offered with a glass of Beaujolais wine !
Chocolate truffles is the way to woo a loved one, offered with a glass of Beaujolais wine !
My husband will pass over the fancy chocolates any day for a piece of homemade fudge–which must include walnuts to truly please him! as a result, every Valentine’s Eve finds me hauling out the candy thermometer!
Luckily, he is not above giving chocolates, and perhaps my favorite gift ever was a small antique sterling bowl, piled high with Godiva chocolate covered cherries, wrapped in different shades of metallic foil. Almost to pretty to eat, but not quite!
My husband will pass over the fancy chocolates any day for a piece of homemade fudge–which must include walnuts to truly please him! as a result, every Valentine’s Eve finds me hauling out the candy thermometer!
Luckily, he is not above giving chocolates, and perhaps my favorite gift ever was a small antique sterling bowl, piled high with Godiva chocolate covered cherries, wrapped in different shades of metallic foil. Almost to pretty to eat, but not quite!
My husband will pass over the fancy chocolates any day for a piece of homemade fudge–which must include walnuts to truly please him! as a result, every Valentine’s Eve finds me hauling out the candy thermometer!
Luckily, he is not above giving chocolates, and perhaps my favorite gift ever was a small antique sterling bowl, piled high with Godiva chocolate covered cherries, wrapped in different shades of metallic foil. Almost to pretty to eat, but not quite!
My husband will pass over the fancy chocolates any day for a piece of homemade fudge–which must include walnuts to truly please him! as a result, every Valentine’s Eve finds me hauling out the candy thermometer!
Luckily, he is not above giving chocolates, and perhaps my favorite gift ever was a small antique sterling bowl, piled high with Godiva chocolate covered cherries, wrapped in different shades of metallic foil. Almost to pretty to eat, but not quite!
My husband will pass over the fancy chocolates any day for a piece of homemade fudge–which must include walnuts to truly please him! as a result, every Valentine’s Eve finds me hauling out the candy thermometer!
Luckily, he is not above giving chocolates, and perhaps my favorite gift ever was a small antique sterling bowl, piled high with Godiva chocolate covered cherries, wrapped in different shades of metallic foil. Almost to pretty to eat, but not quite!
I love a truffle, although I must admit I’ve never tried them with Beaujolais, Jackie.
I love a truffle, although I must admit I’ve never tried them with Beaujolais, Jackie.
I love a truffle, although I must admit I’ve never tried them with Beaujolais, Jackie.
I love a truffle, although I must admit I’ve never tried them with Beaujolais, Jackie.
I love a truffle, although I must admit I’ve never tried them with Beaujolais, Jackie.
I’m glad you were able to find a way to eat those Godiva chocolate covered cherries, Constance. They sound divine!
I’m glad you were able to find a way to eat those Godiva chocolate covered cherries, Constance. They sound divine!
I’m glad you were able to find a way to eat those Godiva chocolate covered cherries, Constance. They sound divine!
I’m glad you were able to find a way to eat those Godiva chocolate covered cherries, Constance. They sound divine!
I’m glad you were able to find a way to eat those Godiva chocolate covered cherries, Constance. They sound divine!
I am interested in the piece of chocolate that could be wrapped in paper. Most of the Chocolate we hear about is drinking chocolate. There are even debates as to whether or not there were chocolate candies because the chocolate could not be stabilized enough to keep it from melting all over the place. I have seen recipes for chocolate drops but chocolate candy is usually dated from later in the 19th century.
I am interested in the piece of chocolate that could be wrapped in paper. Most of the Chocolate we hear about is drinking chocolate. There are even debates as to whether or not there were chocolate candies because the chocolate could not be stabilized enough to keep it from melting all over the place. I have seen recipes for chocolate drops but chocolate candy is usually dated from later in the 19th century.
I am interested in the piece of chocolate that could be wrapped in paper. Most of the Chocolate we hear about is drinking chocolate. There are even debates as to whether or not there were chocolate candies because the chocolate could not be stabilized enough to keep it from melting all over the place. I have seen recipes for chocolate drops but chocolate candy is usually dated from later in the 19th century.
I am interested in the piece of chocolate that could be wrapped in paper. Most of the Chocolate we hear about is drinking chocolate. There are even debates as to whether or not there were chocolate candies because the chocolate could not be stabilized enough to keep it from melting all over the place. I have seen recipes for chocolate drops but chocolate candy is usually dated from later in the 19th century.
I am interested in the piece of chocolate that could be wrapped in paper. Most of the Chocolate we hear about is drinking chocolate. There are even debates as to whether or not there were chocolate candies because the chocolate could not be stabilized enough to keep it from melting all over the place. I have seen recipes for chocolate drops but chocolate candy is usually dated from later in the 19th century.
Hi Nicola, yes, I used to make chocolates and give them as gifts and it was fun — as you say, messy, but also fun. I enjoy doing little fiddly things. But then the shop where I used to get the couverture chocolate closed and I stopped making it. It's just occurred to me that I could probably get it mail order now. I have lots of lovely moulds for chocolate making. But do I have the inclination still? Hmmm…
Hi Nicola, yes, I used to make chocolates and give them as gifts and it was fun — as you say, messy, but also fun. I enjoy doing little fiddly things. But then the shop where I used to get the couverture chocolate closed and I stopped making it. It's just occurred to me that I could probably get it mail order now. I have lots of lovely moulds for chocolate making. But do I have the inclination still? Hmmm…
Hi Nicola, yes, I used to make chocolates and give them as gifts and it was fun — as you say, messy, but also fun. I enjoy doing little fiddly things. But then the shop where I used to get the couverture chocolate closed and I stopped making it. It's just occurred to me that I could probably get it mail order now. I have lots of lovely moulds for chocolate making. But do I have the inclination still? Hmmm…
Hi Nicola, yes, I used to make chocolates and give them as gifts and it was fun — as you say, messy, but also fun. I enjoy doing little fiddly things. But then the shop where I used to get the couverture chocolate closed and I stopped making it. It's just occurred to me that I could probably get it mail order now. I have lots of lovely moulds for chocolate making. But do I have the inclination still? Hmmm…
Hi Nicola, yes, I used to make chocolates and give them as gifts and it was fun — as you say, messy, but also fun. I enjoy doing little fiddly things. But then the shop where I used to get the couverture chocolate closed and I stopped making it. It's just occurred to me that I could probably get it mail order now. I have lots of lovely moulds for chocolate making. But do I have the inclination still? Hmmm…
I thought that would be the lovely creative sort of thing you would do, Anne! It’s also prompted me to make some more. I enjoyed it very much.
I thought that would be the lovely creative sort of thing you would do, Anne! It’s also prompted me to make some more. I enjoyed it very much.
I thought that would be the lovely creative sort of thing you would do, Anne! It’s also prompted me to make some more. I enjoyed it very much.
I thought that would be the lovely creative sort of thing you would do, Anne! It’s also prompted me to make some more. I enjoyed it very much.
I thought that would be the lovely creative sort of thing you would do, Anne! It’s also prompted me to make some more. I enjoyed it very much.
That’s a very good point about 18th century chocolate, Nancy. I went back to read the original article to see whether it gave any clues as to how Monsieur Papilotte made his chocolate but unfortunately it didn’t. I am going to have to follow that up now as I’d like to know!
That’s a very good point about 18th century chocolate, Nancy. I went back to read the original article to see whether it gave any clues as to how Monsieur Papilotte made his chocolate but unfortunately it didn’t. I am going to have to follow that up now as I’d like to know!
That’s a very good point about 18th century chocolate, Nancy. I went back to read the original article to see whether it gave any clues as to how Monsieur Papilotte made his chocolate but unfortunately it didn’t. I am going to have to follow that up now as I’d like to know!
That’s a very good point about 18th century chocolate, Nancy. I went back to read the original article to see whether it gave any clues as to how Monsieur Papilotte made his chocolate but unfortunately it didn’t. I am going to have to follow that up now as I’d like to know!
That’s a very good point about 18th century chocolate, Nancy. I went back to read the original article to see whether it gave any clues as to how Monsieur Papilotte made his chocolate but unfortunately it didn’t. I am going to have to follow that up now as I’d like to know!