Popular Christmas Traditions and Decorations in France
Popular Christmas Traditions and Decorations in France
"Joyeux Noel!" Is the traditional "Merry Christmas" greeting in France. Christmas in France is a day for family reunions, generosity, lots and lots of food, and ancient traditions by and for children.
In 1962, a law was passed in France that any child sending a letter to Pere Noel (Father Christmas) would be responded to with a post card. A traditional Christmas loaf, Pain Calendeau, is meant to be shared with a poor person.
The Christmas celebration varies from region to region. In eastern and northern France, the holiday begins on December the 6th with "la fete de Saint Nicholas" (St Nicholas' Saint day). In Lyon, December 8th (Immaculate Conception) is "La fete de lumiers", where the Lyonnais pay homage to the Virgin Mary by putting candles in their windows, thereby lighting up the whole town.
The creche, or Nativity scene is one of the principal decorations for the home. The Sapin de Noel (Christmas tree) is decorated with apples, paper flowers, and ribbons, and some small toys for the kids are also hung there. Mistletoe is also a favorite decoration. Christmas wreaths are also very popular in France.
Some French kids put their shoes in front of the fireplace, where Pere Noel will leave small toys, candy, and nuts. Children also go out looking for the Three Kings, carrying hay for their camels.
In the northern part of France, the kids wait for St Nicholas. Leading up to St Nicholas Day, the grandparents tell the children stories of good St Nicholas, and the evil Pere Fouettard. Long ago, Pere Fouettard, an evil butcher, lured three boys into his shop, where he forced them into a large tub of salt. Through St Nicholas' intervention, the boys were saved.
St Nicholas comes into town with a little donkey carrying baskets of gifts and treats. Pere Fouettard follows him in shame. Pere Fouttard leaves the birch twigs in some naughty kid's shoes, hoping their parents will beat them with it.
Of course, looming large in French Christmas celebrations are food; in fact, a large part of a family's budget will be taken up with "Le Reveillon", served after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Depending on the region, the huge meal includes canaps, escargot, oysters, goose, turkey with chestnut dressing, crab, venison, boar, smoked salmon, and, of course, the buche de noel, the yule log cake, decorated and iced with chocolate.
While another country's Holiday traditions may seem strange to us, the point of Christmas is the same all over the world: to bring magic, wonderment, and joy to children, and to celebrate peace on earth, good will to humankind. Live In London Like A King - Without Drilling Holes In Your Pocket! A Fishing Report On The Most Preferred Fishing Destinations Of Australia Cairo sightseeing tours from Aswan by flight,Egypt tour in Cairo Make Your Stay In London Memorable! Are Holiday Cottages Beneficial? When London Cannot Accommodate You, Go For A Hotel Nearby Senior Care Phoenix - Giving The Care And Understanding That Seniors Deserve One Of The Best Travel Destinations Travel Packing Checklist Shop Till You Drop At The Abu Dhabi Shopping Festival 2011 Why a Travel Affiliate Program May well Be Right For You Native American Jewelry Tourettes Austin, ADHD and Twitching 2