Christmas in France - What is a French Christmas?

It's Christmas in France Christmas and is different from anywhere else? Well, I think it depends where you come from. For me as an Englishman, there are some similarities and differences, of course.

Similar things Santa Claus (Père Noël) are all over the place, shops hidden suddenly take all useful things, and archiving their shelves with toys, the streets lit and decorated, so what. In fact, they seem a bit 'more to make aProblems with public lighting - even small towns make the effort, in France, which is not often the case in Britain.

Differences with a French Christmas? Now, it is still not commercial enough. Christmas is only in December from here, while in England seems now to start building in September!

There are practical differences. The local bread shop (Boulangerie) are often open on Christmas morning, for example, and Boxing Day is not a party. Most of the FrenchI went back to work unless it's a weekend.

Christmas in France is still an important religious holiday and a great family event. The French are big on family. I am very likely to be a turkey for the main meal to be, with chestnuts, but they might like a goose or capon. The big difference is that with the main meal on Christmas Eve - the night - and does not start until after midnight mass! Although perhaps not as French go to midnight masshave used the meal - to be in the early morning hours (reveillon means wake up).

Some parts of France or the beginning of December to celebrate St. Nicholas, 6 What is this, but on the 12th night means nothing to them. For us it is when all the decorations down (or shot), but the French celebrate the arrival of the Kings, Jan. 6 (Fête des Rois) and the decorations appear to remain for weeks after. Maybeof us are just more festive!

Of course, Christmas in France would not be complete without the Sapin de Noël - Christmas tree - so we probably have more in common than what divides us us. In the New Year Epiphany is a feast big enough, and most communities are, by a great glass of champagne invited to some of the local town or village hall. There is also a cake with a little 'magic in it - like the coin in a Christmas pudding - even ifthe cake is usually round, dishes and pastry and frangipane - very sweet.