Christmas in France
The Christmas traditions around the world may vary from region to region within a particular country, making Christmas around the world a truly unique experience to all who celebrate. It is of interest to both children and adults to know how other people spend their Christmas around the world.
A very common source of inspiration for Christmas traditions around the world is the use of the Nativity scene, used in homes at Christmas around the world.
In France the use of the nativity scene or crèche is the focus of the Christmas celebration. The crèche are often made of clay specially designed by craftsmen in the south of France from molds often passed on from generation to generation since the seventeenth century.
These figures can be found at Christmas fairs in Marseilles and Aix. The Christmas tree has never been very popular in France, the French do make a traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the buche de Nol (Christmas log). This cake is served at the feast of the season known as the reveillon.
Le reveillon is the very late dinner held after midnight mass on Christmas eve. In France the Pere Noel accompanied by his stern assistant Pre Fouettard delivers gifts to the French children. Adults usually wait until New Years to exchange gifts.
Although Christmas traditions around the world vary from country to country the celebration of the birth of Jesus is the most common theme for Christmas around the world. It’s at this time of year that we all try and take a moment and be thankful for what we have.
