How to celebrate Christmas in France? What traditions and customs do most families respect and adapt to their tastes? We tell you all about it!
1. The Advent Calendar!
The Advent calendar is a cardboard object containing various closed boxes. It’s designed to keep children entertained throughout December and right up to Christmas Day. Germanic in tradition, its design has evolved over time. The idea is to give each new day a little present. Today’s advent calendars feature small figurines or sweets. In the past, however, these were mainly religious images or fruit. Advent calendars now generally cover most of December. Celebrating Christmas in France also means taking advantage of these ancient traditions.
2. Christmas sweets!
There are many traditional Christmas sweets around the world. In France, we’re particularly fond of chocolates and chestnuts (roasted or glazed, depending on the mood). At this time of year, we like to leave a piece of gingerbread lying around on the counter. Or a few homemade cookies… Here’s another way to answer the question: How to celebrate Christmas in France.
3. Letter to Santa!
From December onwards, the priority for well-behaved children is to write their letter to Santa Claus. For those who haven’t been wise, it’s a question of defending their case a little… In November and December, therefore, toy catalogs and websites are closely scrutinized. Always on the lookout for the rare pearl… For children, how to celebrate Christmas in France is closely linked to this tradition.
Send Santa your gift list with ease! Here you’ll find all the information you need to make your wish come true.
5. The crown and other decorations!
The traditional Christmas wreath dates back to the celebration of the winter solstice. It’s made of holly branches intertwined in the shape of a wheel. We hang it on our front door. The idea is to show, right from the start of December, that the Christmas spirit has already entered the home. The house will offer visitors a warm welcome! Thinking about how to celebrate Christmas in France also means thinking about the decorations.
Discover how to create the most magnificent tree decoration and impress your loved ones this season!
6. Christmas presents!
Gifts have become increasingly important with the development of consumerism. Today, presents are traditionally placed at the foot of the tree or in a large hanging stocking. Wrapped in beautifully decorated paper and adorned with a small card designating the recipient. The children will open their gifts on December 24 for Christmas Eve. Or on the morning of December 25, just before Christmas dinner. A fine example of how to celebrate Christmas in France.
7. Christmas carols!
Although this tradition is less important in France than in other Anglo-Saxon countries, Christmas carols are still an important part of the festive atmosphere. In France, you’ll hear them most often at Christmas markets and in large shopping malls. Or, more rarely, in front of your house, when a choir is playing. This is an essential part of how to celebrate Christmas in France.
8. The Christmas sweater!
It’s a much more recent tradition, and one that’s not exactly universally accepted. Christmas sweaters were originally a gift from grandmothers. They enjoyed knitting a warm, colorful garment for their children and grandchildren. The latter were delighted to thank them by wearing the sweater on Christmas Day. Many of these sweaters were beautiful in intent, and quite horrible to look at. Sometimes horrible to wear, especially without long sleeves underneath… So today’s Christmas sweater is deliberately ugly, kitsch, colorful and adorned with reindeer noses. Elf hair and other embossed details… And more and more ready-to-wear brands are getting in on the act!
9. Christmas dinner!
There are two Christmas meals in France: Christmas Eve, on the evening of the 24th, and Christmas Day. The importance of each meal varies from household to household. For some, New Year’s Eve will be the most important moment of the holiday season. For others, it will be on the 25th at midday. In any case, there are a number of requirements for a traditional Christmas meal in France: oysters, salmon and foie gras for starters. Snails may be served as an appetizer. All washed down with a good white wine. A turkey or capon stuffed with chestnuts for the main course, and a good bottle of red wine. This is followed by a cheese platter and, last but not least, the desserts, traditionally a buche glacée. This is how we can show you how to celebrate Christmas in France in the traditional way.
10. Christmas masses!
France is a secular country with a strong Catholic tradition, and church bells continue to ring out on Sundays and Christmas Eve. As a result, many people who aren’t usually churchgoers like to attend Midnight Masses on December 24 or 25. They’re looking to get a little more into the Christmas spirit. Not least thanks to the liturgical hymns and choirs that often surround parishes, and the mutual aid and solidarity initiatives that are often associated with them. These masses are another way of experiencing and understanding how Christmas is celebrated in France.
Find more interesting facts about Foie Gras and the Basque Country on our Blog and tasty recipes in the Recipe section of our website!
