Christmas in France

• In France, Christmas is a time for family and for generosity, marked by family reunions, gifts and candy for children, gifts for the poor, Midnight Mass, and le Réveillon.

• The celebration of Christmas in France varies by region. Most provinces celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December, which is a bank holiday

However, in eastern and northern France, the Christmas season begins on 6 December, la fête de Saint Nicolas, and in some provinces la fête des Rois* is one the most important holidays of the Christmas season. 

Christmas food in France

French make a traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the buche de Noel, which means Christmas Log. The cake, among other food in great abundance is served at the grand feast of the season, which is called le reveillon.

Traditionally Le Reveillon is a very late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Le Réveillon is a symbolic awakening to the meaning of Christ's birth and is the culinary high point of the season. The menu for the meal varies according to regional culinary tradition.

Christmas tree

Most Advent Calendars have 24 windows and each of them hides a tiny chocolate. The tradition of the Advent calendar was introduced by the German Lutherans during the 19th Century. Advent is celebrated with a calendar but more importantly with a wreath and candles.

In France, one of the most important decorations at Christmas time is the Sapin de Noël (Christmas tree). It is used in homes, streets, shops, offices, and factories.The idea of the Christmas came from Alsace in the 14th century. In those days, people decorated Christmas trees with apples, paper flowers, and ribbons. Alsace was then part of the German empire, but now it is a province in France

On Christmas Eve children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel. In the morning they also find that sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys have been hung on the tree. In some regions there's also Père Fouettard who gives out punishment to naughty children. In 1962, a law was passed decreeing that all letters written to Santa would responded to with a postcard. When a class writes a letter, each student gets a response.