Champagne Wishes Holiday Home Tour
We’re sharing our champagne wishes holiday home tour as we team up with some of our favorite creative ladies for the Homespun Holiday Hop hosted by the elegant and talented Laura of Decor to Adore.
If you’re coming over from my sweet friend Cindy’s blog, DIY Beautify, welcome, we’re happy to have you here. Didn’t you love her gingerbread men? She always comes up with the most fabulous ideas!
Champagne Wishes Holiday Home Tour…
Years ago, on a cold and rainy December night, I met one of my closest friends for dinner.
Early on in our friendship, we decided to get all dressed up for a fancy meal in lieu of gifts and the tradition is still one of my favorite holiday rituals to this day.
Sensing we might be there for a while the waiter sat us next to the window with the most perfect view of the city lights.
Elegant Christmas trees dotted the restaurant, and, in the background, you could hear a delicious mix of someone softly playing the piano, people laughing, and bottles of champagne being popped and poured.
We settled in with a simple five-course meal and caught up on our lives post-grad school as the rain continued to fall outside.
Marriage, kids, work-life balance, aging parents, hopes and dreams.
No topic was off-limits.
Simply words of support, encouragement, and genuine kindness for hours.
Towards the end of the meal, our waiter made his way over to our table.
He was carrying two large slices of chocolate cake and two glasses of champagne.
“Happy Birthday, Ladies,” he said as he placed the slices in front of us with ribbons of caramel marking the special event.
We toasted each other and wished for an upcoming year that felt truly extraordinary.
“How much fun would it be to do this in London for the holidays or in Paris next to the Eiffel Tower?” she said.
“That would be amazing,” I replied.
“To champagne wishes,” she said as she clinked my glass again.
As the valet pulled our cars around, we hugged each other tight.
“Same time, next year?” she said.
“You bet,” I replied.
Over the next few years, we continued to meet for our annual holiday birthday dinner.
But with every meal you could tell life was starting to take a toll.
Her little girls grew into tweens, her marriage struggled under the weight of the corporate ladder, and her parents fell ill more frequently.
Over and over again, I saw her dreams slowly fade as life’s demands got in the way.
And through tears, she told me she was finally giving up her career to take care of her girls and her parents full-time.
“Why is it that champagne wishes feel beautiful and yet just out of reach at the same time?” she said.
I let her question hang in the air for a moment as I searched for the right thing to say.
“Champagne wishes are always available as long as you have hope bubbling up inside of you and a plan of action to see them through,” I replied as I squeezed her hand.
“It might not feel like it right now,” I continued. “But you’ll get there. I know you will. Yes, things are messy but that doesn’t mean your dreams aren’t important. It just means your path to reach them might not be as straight as you had imagined.”
“You should write for Hallmark. You know that right?” she said, breaking the tension in the air as she simultaneously giggled and dabbed her eyes with her napkin.
We didn’t know it at the time, but that night would be our last holiday birthday celebration.
Looking back, I can see how it marked a proverbial fork in the road for our lives and our friendship as well.
I eventually left the hospital and my career in counseling and therapy to move away and start The Crowned Goat.
She continued to very nobly and unselfishly care for her family.
Last year, just before Christmas, I received a very unexpected phone call from my friend.
Her voice was a bit shaky, and I immediately thought something had happened to one of her girls because it was such an odd hour.
“I made it,” she said her voice cracking. “I’m at the base of the Eiffel Tower and it’s just as beautiful as I’d imagined sitting at dinner with you all those years ago. I just wanted you to know champagne wishes do come true. Merry Christmas.”
By the time we hung up, happy tears were streaming down my face because I knew what a struggle it had been for my friend to see her champagne wish come to life.
Truly, it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person.
I share this story because I know firsthand how easily champagne wishes can feel slightly out of reach.
Especially, as we take stock of one year and prepare to move into another.
Maybe you finally saved enough to travel and had an unexpected job loss, health issue, or family event that held you back.
Maybe you started a business or a side hustle and it failed.
Perhaps you’ve given up extras for years so that you could retire early only to realize your parents need additional care they didn’t prepare or budget for and now you feel stuck with golden handcuffs.
Or maybe you planned to build your dream home, but the economy took a turn and now you’re weighing the practical vs the pretty.
Maybe you’re a writer, an artist, or a fellow creative who just can’t seem to get your book or your dreams off the ground.
Make no mistake, life can be demanding and feel unreasonable at times.
The thing is, it’s up to us to keep hope alive even when the circumstances of life threaten to steal our joy or rob us of our champagne wishes.
So, this holiday season, I want you to cozy up in your favorite spot by the tree with a chilled glass of champagne, prosecco, or nonalcoholic sparkling cider and for just a moment I want you to take in the bubbles.
At first glance, those tiny bubbles might not seem like much.
But if you let them, they can represent all the micro steps and tiny bits of hope it takes for your champagne wishes to rise to the top and become your reality.
And one day you just might find yourself at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower at Christmas realizing that champagne wishes really do come true.
Up Next…
Up next on the Homespun Holiday Hop is my amazing friend, Lora of Create and Ponder. She is sharing a fabulous woodland inspired table that I can’t wait to check out.
Once you’re finished there be sure to check out what the rest of these fantastic ladies are sharing…
With love this holiday season,
CoCo
Oh CoCo,
This story sent chills through my whole body.
What amazing message of hope during this special season. I’m thankful for your words today alongside your beautiful home all decorated for Christmas.
You truly have a gift and I’m so thankful you share it with us.
Merry Christmas, friend!
I really appreciate your kind words, Rachel, thank you so much! It’s hard to believe that Christmas is already here. I hope you’ve been able to soak up lots of magical moments this season. Sending you tons of hugs, CoCo
Ok I have tears rolling down my face from your sweet post CoCo! I’m also enjoying all your beautiful Christmas photos! Love your soft colors, textures and that darling Eiffel tower ornament! Hugs and Happy Christmas sweet friend!
That is such a kind compliment, Michelle, thank you. Your photos inspire me all the time so I really appreciate your sweet support. It was so much fun to share this story. Every time I see an Eiffel Tower ornament now, it reminds me to never give up. Sending you lots of hugs and hoping your champagne wishes come true this holiday season, CoCo
Oh my goodness CoCo, your story brought me to tears! Life is so hard, but hope and joy can be found in the smallest things (bubbles) if we choose to see them! Your pink Christmas decor is just stunning my friend! I kept Pinning… and Pinning… Wishing you a beautiful holiday season xx
You’re so sweet to pin my post, Cindy, thank you. I was crying when she called too! It’s such a tender reminder to never give up on your dreams no matter how long they take or how many curve balls life throws at you. Sending you so many hugs for a fabulous Christmas season, CoCo
CoCo you did it again. I am a complete puddle after reading your beautiful words. Words I need to read and believe in. Your tree with it’s blush pink and soft metals has me completely captivated. Thank you so much for adding such beauty to the hop. Have a wonderful holiday season!
I so appreciate all your kind and thoughtful words, Laura, thank you. It’s been so much fun to be a part of all the hops you’ve created this year and I’m looking forward to doing everything I can to support you next year too. Thank you for inviting me to be a part of such a special group. Big hugs and Merry Christmas, CoCo
You definitely should be writing for Hallmark CoCo! The story is a sweet one but I must say, your delivery of the story is perfection! Merry Christmas my friend!
Aww thank you, Cindy! Happy endings are definitely my favorite kind of endings and I love that Hallmark almost always has them so that is a super sweet compliment, thank you. Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday season filled with more love and laughter than your heart can hold. Big hugs, CoCo
So beautifully and poignantly written, CoCo. I was so focused on your story, now I need to go back and focus on each of your gorgeous photos. Love how your decorating tells a story; the champagne color theme makes so much more sense to me now. And yes, my word for the year, “Believe” finally happened this past month for my blog…trying to drink in the tiny bubbles:)
Oh my gosh, Lora, I am so excited for you! I can definitely tell you’ve been working really hard on your blog this year and all of your success is well deserved. Thank you for always being such a sweet support and inspiring me with your creative ideas. I’m cheering you on every step of the way, sweet friend. Big hugs, CoCo
You had me glued to my seat, reading every single word to see what happened next. I don’t know of another blogger who has ever been able to do that, especially during this busy holiday season. Your storytelling is such a gift and always seems to tug at my heart. I was smiling at the end and so happy that your friend’s champagne wishes came true. I love the idea of a shared experience rather than gifts. I’m going to work on that! Your home looks so beautiful all dressed up for the holidays. Hugs and holiday cheer!
You are so sweet, Kim, thank you so much. Trying to balance story telling and analytics is not easy at all. Still, I think it’s important to find a way to connect. Especially, during the holiday season. Sending you lots of love and hugs and thank yous for your kind words, CoCo
Your insights and words of inspiration couldn’t be more timely for me. Thank you for the substance in your posts; they are so much more than pretty pictures. Happy holidays.
I really appreciate your kind and thoughtful words, Debra, thank you so much. I hope all your champagne wishes come true and you have a happy and healthy holiday season. Big hugs, CoCo
I Love this story! Exactly what you told her was true. It wasn’t a straight path to get to her dream. I’m glad she made it!
Me too, Susan! She’s definitely a salt of the earth kind of friend and is deserving of all the good things life has to offer. Big hugs, CoCo
I love your touching story, Cocoa! Your pink champagne Christmas decor is the perfect backdrop for your sweet story! May your Christmas be filled with Champagne wishes and blessings this year.
I really appreciate it, Yvonne, thank so much. I hope you and your family have a richly blessed holiday season. Hugs, CoCo
So beautifully written. It brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Joan. I very much appreciate them. I hope you and your family have a joy filled holiday season and a happy and healthy new year. Hugs, CoCo
Oh, my goodness. Now I’m all teary-eyed. What a great story. And I’m sure it resonates with so many of your readers–me included.
PS: I’ve never thought about a “champagne” wish before. I think I’m going to learn to incorporate that concept into my life in 2024.
PPS: We’re making Prosecco/satsuma cocktails this week–we’ll make sure to toast your champagne wishes, as well as our own–and the champagne wishes of everyone in this community!
Ringing in the New Year with champagne wishes is so much fun, Corrie. I’ll definitely be toasting you as well this holiday season. I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate your advice, recommendations and sweet words of support. They mean the world to me! Sending you tons of hugs for a Merry Christmas and a richly blessed New Year. May all your champagne wishes come true, CoCo
What a beautiful and amazing post filled with hope that so many may need at this time of year. Your words really touched me.
Such a thoughtful thing to say, Rosa, thank you so much. I hope you and your family have a richly blessed holiday season. Hugs, CoCo
Coco
Wow I love this story so much. It’s so very true, life gets in the ways but we can’t give up on our dreams or champagine wishes. You are so poetic. Thanks for sharing.
It’s hard not to give up on your dreams sometimes, Rachel. Especially, when they’re not happening in the way you want them too. More often than not though, if we stay the course and keep believing, things come together in the most beautiful and adventurous way. Sending you lots of hugs and thank yous for all you do to support this creative community. It’s a huge blessing to have you and your gifts here, CoCo
Coco,
I think Hallmark would be lucky to have you but I think there is something bigger in store for you. A motivational book with all of the photos by you. You are incredibly talented and this story highlights that talent.
How wonderful that your friend made it to the Eiffel Tower, I have been many times, it is a special place. I would bet that she carried your advice in her heart while she cared for her family. I am happy that she let you know that she made it.
Life is full of ups and downs, twists and turns. All Gods plan for us, in the meantime we can find simple joy and pleasure in the time with family and friends and the little things in life.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful home, story and wisdom.
Merry Christmas!
You’re making me all teary eyed in the best possible way, Elizabeth. This is such a generous and kind comment! I’ve seen so many people have to give up their dreams for one reason or anothe over the years and it totally breaks my heart. God’s ways are always better than our own and knowing that deep down helps me keep hope alive not only for myself but for others who have lost their light. I hope you feel His love throughout the Christmas season. I can’t wait to see what He has in store for you in 2024. Cheering you on sweet friend, CoCo
What a beautiful story, CoCo! Thanks for the reminder that our dreams can come true, even if it does not seem possible at present! Your home tour is lovely, and now I’m off to the store to buy a bottle of champagne! Many blessings to you and yours for the holiday season!
You are so welcome, Donna, I need reminders like this myself all the time. Wishing you and your family a merry and bright holiday season. Big hugs, CoCo
Wow! What an incredible story CoCo. I read it twice. Thank you for the encouragement to keep that spirit inside of us bubbling! I will be sure to have a glass of champagne by the tree and think of you and your words of wisdom. Merry Christmas sweet friend. And your decorations are gorgeous!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Wendy. I really appreciate them. It’s nice to be able to slow down just a bit and keep the reason for season front and center. Wishing you and your family a joy filled holiday season. May all your champagne wishes come true, CoCo
What a lovely story. I teared up reading that your friend reached her dream trip! Your home is beautifula nd you really should write for Hallmark 😉 Wishing you Merry Christmas!
Your posts always inspire me and leave me feeling better than when I began reading. You are truly gifted and full of beauty! Thank you for teaching me new ways to view the world!
So sorry for the late response, Pam but wanted to say thank you so much for your sweet and kind words. I really appreciate them. I hope your holiday season was a blessed one and this year is filled with all your favorite things. Big hugs and thank yous, CoCo
what a GORGEOUS color scheme, Coco! Thank you for linking up at the Creatively Crafty Linky Party this week!
CoCo,
OMG!! I just love this post…So glad to see that pink fr Christmas is finally coming back in style!! Everything is gorgeous!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Happy New Year to you and yours….
Hugs,
Deb