En France , Christmas is a time for family and generosity, marked by family gatherings, gifts and sweets for children, gifts for the poor, the Mass of the Rooster, and Le Reveillon .
The truth is that the celebration of Christmas in France varies by region. Most provinces celebrate Christmas on December 25, which is a public holiday.
However, in eastern and northern France, the Christmas season begins on December 6 with the fête of Saint Nicholas, and in some provinces the Fête des Rois, which is the Epiphany that is generally celebrated on January 06, but in some places in France it is celebrated on the first Sunday after January 1.
In this season, French children place their shoes in front of the fireplace, hoping that Père Noël (also known as Santa Claus) will fill them with gifts. Sweets, fruits, nuts, small toys will also be hung in the tree overnight.
Le Reveillon
Although fewer and fewer French attend the Messe de Minuit on Christmas Eve, which is still an important part of Christmas for many families. This is followed by a big party, called Le Réveillon (from the verb réveiller, to awaken or to revive).
So, Le Réveillon is a symbolic awakening to the meaning of the birth of Christ and is the highest point of the season, which can be enjoyed at home or in a restaurant or cafe that is open all night culinary.
Each region of France has its own traditional Christmas menu, with dishes such as goose, chicken, capon, turkey stuffed with chestnuts, oysters, and blanc boudin (similar to white sausage).
Christmas desserts
Throughout the French Christmas season, there are special traditional desserts:
• La Buche de Noel (Christmas Trunk) - A log-shaped cake made of chocolate and chestnuts.
• Le pain calendal (in the south of France) - Christmas bread, part of which is traditionally given to a poor person.
• La Galette des Rois (on Epiphany) - It is a round cake, which is cut into pieces and distributed by a child, known as Le petit roi or l 'enfant soleil, hidden under the table.
Christmas Decorations
The Sapin de Noël is the main decoration in homes, streets, shops, offices and factories that appeared in Alsace in the 14th century, decorated with apples, paper flowers and ribbons, and that was introduced in France in 1837.
Another important aspect of the Christmas celebrations is the nursery full of figurines, which is displayed in churches and many houses. Living nurseries in the form of Nativity-based plays and puppet shows are commonly performed to teach important ideas of Christianity and the celebration of Christmas.