The holiday season invites us to slow down, savor beauty, and give gifts that tell a story. This year, celebrate creativity à la française — from poetic stained glass and fine art photography to literary escapes and inspiring tools for the imagination. Each of these creators brings a touch of France’s elegance, curiosity, and artistry to their craft.
For the Francophile Dreamer: Photo Prints by Julia
From the charming cobblestone streets of France and beyond, Julia of Falling Off Bicycles captures everyday beauty through her lens. Her photography transforms fleeting moments — pastel shutters, golden-hour rooftops, and café vignettes — into fine art prints and canvases that evoke wanderlust and warmth.
This season, Julia is offering readers 15% off two prints or more with the code Krystal15 until December 7 — the perfect opportunity to bring a touch of French serenity to any wall.
For the Poetic Soul: Alison Grace Koehler
Paris-based artist and poet Alison Grace Koehler creates stained-glass poetry — both luminous and lyrical. Her work moves between the permanent and the ephemeral: glass pieces that dance with light and performances that fuse language and art.
Having shared her art at the Edinburgh Art Festival, Galerie Arnaud Lefebvre, and Espace Christiane Peugeot, among others, Alison continues to enchant audiences with her blend of craftsmanship and emotion. Named Best Expat Artist of 2018 by Expatriates Magazine, she also offers stained-glass workshops through Wecandoo, inviting others to experience the meditative joy of creation.
For the Star-Gazer: Maite Leon’s 2026 Zodiac Calendar
Illustrator Maite Leon’s newly released 2026 wall calendar celebrates the signs of the zodiac through handmade original illustrations. Each page feels like a tiny universe printed on beautiful 250g uncoated paper (26 pages, 21×30 cm, in French).
This limited-edition calendar is both an art piece and a celebration of the passing seasons, a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves design, astrology, or slow living.
For the Romantic Reader: Paris Blue by Julie Scolnik
In Paris Blue: A Memoir of First Love, American flutist Julie Scolnik transports readers to Paris, 1976, where a chance meeting with Luc, a French lawyer, sets the stage for an unforgettable love story.
Set against the backdrop of the city’s cafés, concert halls, and cobbled streets, this memoir captures the intoxicating joy and ache of first love and the way it lingers, shaping who we become. It’s a tender, elegant reflection on love, loss, and the passage of time, a perfect read for anyone with a soft spot for Paris and the complexities of the heart.
For the Creative Seeker: OVERRIDE! What if there was another way? by Anne S. Ditmeyer
Designer, coach, and creative catalyst Anne S. Ditmeyer has a great book called OVERRIDE! What if there was another way? — a pocket-sized guide that feels like a supportive friend for those craving a creative reset.
Inside, readers will find reflective prompts, mindset shifts, and imaginative exercises designed to spark possibility and help shake up the status quo. It’s a thoughtful stocking stuffer for entrepreneurs, dreamers, and anyone ready to design a life that lights them up.
For the Francophile at Heart: Art by Janis 2026 France Sketchbook Calendar
Bring a touch of France into your every day with the 2026 France Sketchbook Calendar by Art by Janis. Each month features Janis’s original pen, ink, and watercolor travel sketches — charming glimpses of French villages, cafés, and countryside scenes lovingly captured on paper.
Printed on smooth, sturdy semi-gloss cardstock and spiral-bound at 6½” x 8½”, it’s perfectly sized for your home, studio, or office. A beautiful blend of art and wanderlust, this calendar is a daily reminder of the quiet magic found in France’s corners and cobblestones.
Wrap Up Your Holidays with French Flair
From love stories in Paris to art that catches the light, from inspired photography to tools that spark imagination, these creators embody the best of French-inspired living: thoughtful, expressive, and timeless. May your holidays be filled with creativity, connection, and a touch of French charm!
