A two part series. Today, 5 French Christmas traditions to consider. Next week, it’s all about the special French dishes that go on the holiday table.
Since the French are (rather inactive) Catholics, their Christmas traditions are similar to our own. But not quite! There are some fun differences, so pick and choose your favorite French holiday ideas.
I must share with you one amusing difference: St. Nick, in the states, is usually as plump and round as a merry old elf can be. But Père Noël in France is a skinny, short little thing compared to our robust Santa. He has a bit of a belly, but otherwise he’s a svelte Frenchman, all the way. And probably a red wine drinker, to boot.
Here are 5 more French holiday traditions:
1. A Seasonal Shift. In France, the Christmas season, thankfully, does not start at Labor Day, as it seems to in the states. Christmas trees go up a few days before Christmas, when the kids get out of school. But decorations stay up for the 12 days of Christmas, until January 6.
2. The Lovely Santons. The French don’t go into a mad decorating frenzy, as we do. Trees are typically small, decorations simple. (On the other hand French towns and villages go all out with wonderful displays of lights). In French homes there will traditionally be a crèche, or manger, featuring les santons, which are hand painted terra cotta nativity and French village figurines from Provence. The French from every region love to collect them. In the states you can find them at the Santons de France website. (Photo of Santons from Wikipedia).
3. Chaussures vs. Chaussettes. No Christmas stockings for the French. Instead they use shoes. Kids put out a pair of shoes on Christmas eve, by the fire, and Santa fills them with little goodies. I asked Nicole if the type of shoes mattered—perhaps the shoes of the person with the biggest feet in the family? She says they have a better solution: “Kids will put out their fattest boots, of course!” (photo, below: stockings are a tradition chez nous, but the French have a different idea).
4. Re-thinking the Holiday Card. The French send holiday cards, but not at Christmas. They send New Year’s greetings, called cartes de voeux, which should properly arrive sometime between the day after Christmas and the end of January. I happen to like this custom; you can write and mail your cards after the frenzy of Christmas.
5. The Family Gathers. Here’s a traditional French Christmas schedule: A simple dinner of small plates or finger food, often eaten in the salon around the fire en famille, on Christmas eve. Don’t want to spoil the appetite for the big dinner on The Day, dontcha know. Midnight mass follows. Presents (and boots) are opened in the morning, and the festive Christmas meal is usually at lunch. Then on Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas in January, there is the very important Fête des Rois, featuring the delicious galette des rois (see post from Jan. 2011), signaling the end of the season. And here's wishing you Happy Merrymaking, whatever your traditions.
(Photo, below: a skinny Père Noel from 1910).
F
avorite Reads: This week we continue our recommendations for French gift books for the holidays. And guess what, two of our readers have a FABULOUS new book out, just in time for Christmas: How to Cook a Bouillabaise in 37 Easy Steps: Culinary Adventures in Paris and Provence. Now how could you not love a book with that title? As you can imagine, this very special photo essay book is one of my favorites: The French Château: Life, Style, Tradition. A
In the Comments: "Where ARE you from?!" they said to Jacki. Fry sauce is a new one on me! Nancy, great minds think alike, but of course neither of us invented the Reuben, it's a classic (though Herm may have written the first ode to it)—but it's always fun to mess about with traditional recipes. Suzanne makes a slow-cooker choucroute, good idea. And Elizabeth, what a great tale, hope you've escaped from your dreamy chambre!
Our Reader's Blogs: Mark and Diane, authors of the aforementioned new book, have two great travel blogs to sample: The Paris Insider's Guide and Paris to Provence. We love wine, so we of course we like visiting the Villa Ragazzi Wine site. Wine lovers will want to read the personal story of Michaela's family vineyard in Napa Valley. Michaela also writes amusing tidbits about the vintner's life on the site's blog. And please do subscribe, it you haven't, to Cynthia's The Daily Basics. She's got all you need to know about Christmas this year (entertaining, gifts, food…) on her e-zine.
16 thoughts on “5 Ways to Make Your Holiday Traditions a Little Bit French”
This was lovely in every way and informative as well. Finally getting a bit of time to visit one of my very favorite blogs…
lovely Lynn; Happy Christmas to you and Ron.
No matter how long I live in the States it always surprises me when Christmas seems to end on the 25th! No Boxing Day, back to work between Christmas and New year. 🙁 It may start early in the US, but all of that is about preparation, not actually enjoying the entire holiday. – Nan
The reason for starting early in the US and ending after the 25th is pure commercialism; we are made to feel that we have to go Christmas shopping at the malls and that to not spend big bucks on Christmas is “un-American.”
I refuse to go to a mall between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I buy simple, not extravagant gifts, from local small gift shops, antique stores, art fairs, the farmer’s markets, and galleries.
I will order one gift – a Kindle Fire – online.
And my tree is always up for the 12 Days of Christmas, so I already follow that French tradition. Since I do a small artificial tree now, I do put it up on Dec. 6, St. Nicolas Day.
Made the Choucroute recipe that I found through your site. It was delish and enjoyed by all! Also got to use up the rest of my sauerkraut. My family’s comment? Yummy, but is this a French dish?” LOL
P.S. Purchased my first santon in a santon shop in Arles this past Fall (an Arlesienne woman in traditional dress). Thanks for listing a site where I can buy them stateside!
Merry Christmas to all!
Hi Lynn, I really enjoyed reading this post. Just yesterday my son (9 years old)was telling me how commercialized Christmas is. We don’t do presents at our home, we just have a big dinner on Christmas eve with friends (our families are away) and my son tracks Santa that night on google earth, until he finally falls asleep and the next morning he wakes up at the surprise (Santa already damaged our roof last year with his sleigh, so this year we sent him a letter telling him to park on the lawn)It’s very interesting to learn about the traditions from other countries. So, how about you Lynn, how do you decorate your french castle for Christmas?
Bonjour Lynn, Allison and I are blessed to have your friendship and to the way you make living in Burgundy, France even more meaningful and worthwhile. We always read your blog which has strengthened our desire to continue to travel to all corners of La Belle France. Mille Merci, Monty and Allison
Bonjour, Lynn. I had the luck to be in France at the beginning of Advent and long for when I can return to spend a Christmas there. I did not know about Santons (I need to check that link), but I do love those whimsical Santas all over France, the ones climbing up the side of buildings and hanging onto balconies like this
http://www.photographersdirect.com/buyers/stockphoto.asp?imageid=393871
I need to get one for my house here.
I recently wrote a post myself about anticipating the French light displays in Dijon. They were enchanting and not at all commercial like at home.
http://www.traveling-through.com/2011/11/in-spirit-of-holiday-just-say-no-to.html
It sounds lovely. And the beautiful Bouche de Noels look so much more appetizing than the fruitcake we see in the stores in Canada this time of year.
In my experience, the thrifty French of the midi-Pyrenees don’t decorate the outside of their houses with electric lights… a French night is dark in the countryside. The shutters close at dusk and the “warm and bright” is for inside only. Cozy, and sensible… c’est logique!
Hello from Annecy, Lynn. Enchantée de te “rencontrer” !
I’ve been reading your blog for a little while now. This post is perfect to share avec mes amis & ma famille au Canada, so I’ve just put the link up on my facebook page.
Merci & bon week-end !
Your photograh says everything Christmas…the small tree on the table with the basket of apples, a bow, candles…it is lovely and it makes me want to be there. ….,
It was wonderful reading about the traditions! The difference in ‘Santas’ is definitely amusing to note. I look forward to the next part in this series.
What an absolutely beautiful blog. I’ve added it to my favorite blogs on my site: http://www.amemorabletimeofmylife.blogspot.com
How nice to hear about these traditions. I really like the small plates on Christmas Eve idea…may implement that this year! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas season, Lynn. So enjoy your blog.
Having been to Paris quite a few times before I was looking for a new experience of all things French. The wine tasting lunch at O Chateau was the perfect example. Taking place in the underground cellars, which have been fantastically decorated with a modern twist, the experience appeals to all the senses. The wine was great, the abundant amount of cheese and cured meats were scrumptious and the wine tutor was informed and very entertaining. I genuinely left feeling my understanding of French wine had increased! Thank you to http://www.privatetoursinistanbul.com