Christmas in France - What is a Christmas like the French?

And 'Christmas in France and other Christmas anywhere else? Well, I think it depends where you come from. For me as an Englishman, of course, there are many similarities and many differences.

Things like Santa Claus (Père Noël) is all over the place, shops suddenly illuminated by hiding all the useful things and their store shelves of toys, however, roads and decorated, something like that. In fact, they seem to do a little 'more than oneProblems with lighting - even small towns make an effort, in France, which is not often the case in the UK.

Differences with a French Christmas? Now, is not quite as commercial. Christmas is only in December to start here, while England will now begin the build-up in September!

There are practical differences. The local bread shop (Boulangerie) is often open on Christmas morning, for example, and Stephen is not a holiday. Most Frenchhave returned to work, if it is a weekend.

Christmas in France is still a very important religious holiday and a great family event. The French are big family. I am very likely that the main meal, with chestnuts, but could also be a goose or capon Turkey. The big difference is that meals will be on Christmas Eve - the evening - and it was not until after the midnight mass! Although perhaps less French than go to midnight massused the meal (reveillon - means that wake up) goes in the early morning hours.

Some parts of France still sixth start-to-day to celebrate St. Nicholas, December, 12th Night, but it means nothing to them. For us, if all the decorations down (or unlucky), but the French are celebrating the arrival of the Kings, Jan. 6 (Fête des Rois) and the decorations seem to be in order for weeks and weeks. Perhapsare only the most festive of us!

Sure, Christmas in France would be complete without the Sapin de Noël - Christmas tree - so we have probably more in common than we do what divides us. In the New Year Epiphany is a feast big enough, and most of the major communities are invited to a glass of champagne at the local town or village hall. There is also a cake with a little 'magic in it - like money in a Christmas pudding - althoughthe cake is usually round, flat and breath and Frangipane - very sweet.