French Christmas 2.

Christmas is celebrated differently around the world and Christmas celeb rations even differ from country to country in Europe! In France, Christmas is c elebrated unli e any other holiday celebration in the world. This season is very elaborate, even more than Christmas Time in America. Tons of tourists head to France each year to ta e part in the beautiful season t idings. The food ranges from the beautifully handcrafted candies seen in store w indows to the Christmas goose, the lights are stunning, and the traditions that ma e up a French Christmas are absolutely unbeatable and is an experience to be remembered. As the holidays differ in France than from the rest of the world, it is important to understand what ma es it so unique. 3. In France, Christmas is a time for family and for generosity, mar ed by family reunions, gifts and candy for children, gifts for the poor, Midnigh t Mass, and le Rveillon. Most provinces celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December, which is a ban holiday. However, in eastern and northern France, the Christmas season beg ins on 6 December, la fte de Saint Nicolas, and in some provinces la fte des Rois is one the most important holidays of the Christmas season. 4. French Christmas Traditions In some parts of France, Christmas comes early when Father Christmas, le Pre Nol, brings small gifts and sweets for children on December 6th, the feast da y of Saint-Nicolas (celebrated in the North and Northeast). In other parts of the country, children place their shoes by the fire and wa e u p on Christmas Day to find them filled with presents from le Pre Nol and fruit, nu ts and small toys hanging on the tree. Christmas Day is mainly a day of celebrat ion for children. 5. The Crche French homes are commonly decorated by a crche (nativity scene.) There are many beautiful handmade crche figures sold every Christmas season in Marseille and Aix where large Christmas festivals are annually held. Although, some French homes have Christmas trees, theyve never been highly popular and the focal point of Chr istmas in France has always been around the crche. Even now, in many Cathedral squares, the story of Christs birth will be re-enacte d by players or puppets. Anyone visiting France during Christmastime should ma e sure they see a crche as it s definitely a must-see! French Christmas Decorations 6. The sapin de Nol is the main decoration in homes, streets, shops, offices, and factories. The sapin de Nol appeared in Alsace in the 14th century, decorated wit h apples, paper flowers, and ribbons, and was introduced in France in 1837. In France, the Christmas tree first appeared in Alsace in 1521 and is called sapin de nol or arbre de nol. The tree, covered in red apples and lights, symbo lised the venue of Christ: the light that illuminates the world. A fir tree is the best choice because they do not lose their leaves during winter, which doubles as a symbol of hope and eternal life. It is a more secular tradition than that o f the Nativity and thus more appreciated by protestant countries such as norther n Germany and Scandinavia. 7. French Christmas Food The minute you ta e a step in France, youll notice the French are all about their food. France has rich culinary traditions which can be found in many of the won

derful foods prepared at Christmas Time. Christmas dinner menus vary depending on the region. In fact, France s cuisine i s highly regional, so this ma es sense when it comes to what s on the table on C hristmas. For example, in the Alsace region, many families will feast upon goose for their main course. A Parisian meal may be made up of foie gras along with o ysters. 8.French Christmas Desserts Throughout the French Christmas season, there are special traditional d esserts: La bche de Nol (Yule log) - A log-shaped ca e made of chocolate and ches tnuts. Representative of the special wood log burned from Christmas Eve to New Y ear s Day in the Prigord, which is a holdover from a pagan Gaul celebration. Le pain calendal (in southern France) - Christmas loaf, part of which is traditi onally given to a poor person.

9 . Treize desserts (in Provence) - nothing li e going a little overboard duri ng the holidays. La Galette des Rois (on Epiphany) - round ca e which is cut into pieces and d istributed by a child, nown as le petit roi or l enfant soleil, hiding under th e table. Whoever finds la fve - the charm hidden inside - is King or Queen and ca n choose a partner. Buche de Noel 11. The traditional bche is made from a Gnoise or other sponge ca e, generally ba ed in a large, shallow Swiss roll pan, frosted, rolled to form a cylinder, a nd frosted again on the outside. The most common combination is a basic yellow s ponge ca e, frosted and filled with chocolate buttercream; however, many variati ons on the traditional recipe exist, possibly including chocolate ca es, ganache and espresso or otherwise-flavored frostings and fillings