French Christmas Traditions

In Europe, French Christmas traditions differ somewhat from traditions in other countries. Since the predominant religion in France is Catholicism, Christmas is a fairly religious holiday in France. In France, most of the holiday traditions surrounding Christmas have a religious basis.

Christmas is an opportunity for religious families to share many special events with each other. Going to church is an event that usually precedes a very large feast enjoyed as a family. While many families prepare this meal at home, other families will go all together to a restaurant, where they can enjoy the meal and not have to do the preparation and clean up. The meal is called le Réveillon if it follows the midnight mass on Christmas Eve night. This means that people are up virtually all night long because the mass finishes around 1 A.M., and then the feast begins.

Many families also celebrate the approach of Christmas. The entire month of December is typically a festive month at the church as everyone prepares for Christmas. Sermons are a bit longer, and the story of Jesus' birth is often told in full at Christmas masses.

Most churches have a few nativity scenes set up either inside or outside the church. A nativity scene shows the baby Jesus in the barn with Mary, Joseph, the three wise men and several animals. Setting up nativity scenes is a religious tradition that is also sometimes carried out in private homes by setting up a nativity in the living room or another prominent area of the home.

Although France is a fairly Catholic country, there are also plenty of non-religious Christmas traditions for children, such as singing Christmas carols and putting shoes out for Père Noël. While American children put out stockings and French children put out shoes, there's really not much difference between the French Christmas tradition and the corresponding American one.

Another fun aspect of Christmas for children is decorating the home and looking at the decorations in the streets and other public places. There are French traditional decorating seasons, and Christmas is certainly a favorite. Christmas trees are a longstanding tradition in France; it's not just in each private home that you'll find a Christmas tree (sapin de Noël). . .there are also trees in prominent squares and other spots in cities. In smaller cities, the main street will be lit up with lots of beautiful white lights, but in bigger cities, virtually the whole city is lit up. This is a fun aspect of the season for both children and adults.

As always, the French are very polite, so don't forget to wish your hosts and hostesses a very 'Merry Christmas' if they've invited you over to share some of the holiday festivities with their family. Bringing a bottle of wine, champagne, or chocolates for the host(s) is always an appreciated gesture.

Of the French holiday sayings, Joyeux Noël is probably one of the most commonly used. Literally translated it means, "joyful Christmas" (as in 'I wish you a Christmas full of joy'). Certainly put this on your list of essential phrases if you're visiting France during the Christmas season.

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