I lived each in France and the USA, so on this article I’ll pinpoint the French Christmas traditions, and sometimes level out what’s totally different with my expertise within the US. Ought to you might have extra questions on Christmas in France, don’t hesitate to ask me within the remark part under, it will likely be my pleasure to attempt to reply them.

Joyeux Noël ! Comply with the hyperlink to study ten methods to say Merry Christmas in French with audio recordings.

This free French lesson – like many on French Immediately’s weblog – options audio recordings. Click on on the hyperlink subsequent to the headphones to listen to the French pronunciation.

How Is Christmas in France?

When you had been to walk the streets of France in December, would you realize it’s Christmas time?

Sure, you’ll… however possibly much less so than in different nations – I’m fascinated with the US there, the place I lived.

In France, shops don’t essentially play Christmas songs, and wishing individuals Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas) is often largely performed the very week of Christmas.

So Christmas is unquestionably within the air… however possibly a little bit lower than it’s in different nations: I lived within the US for 17 years and over there, Christmas was in all places !!

To study the French Christmas vocabulary, I invite you to learn my free French lesson that includes 100 French Christmas phrases with audio recordings.

Is There a Sturdy Christmas Spirit in France?

Though the French don’t essentially enhance the surface of their homes with une guirlande électrique (string lights), French cities and villages often do have some Christmas lights. A big Christmas tree subsequent to the town corridor or on the town essential sq. can also be customary.

Shops in France often have some sort of Christmas decorations, though it could be delicate. Sometimes, shops don’t play Christmas songs – not less than to not the prolong of what I skilled within the US. However I’ll focus on this extra under…

Strolling the massive shops in giant cities in France, like “les grands magasins” in Paris at Christmas time is mostly a pleasure: the Christmas tree at “les Galeries Lafayette” is spectacular, totally different every year and value a detour!

Are There Christmas Markets in France?

France has a powerful custom of Christmas markets. With small wood châlet like stands promoting all sort of items and delicacies, Christmas markets are a enjoyable place to go Christmas buying.

There’s a giant one in Paris on Les Champs Elysées: it actually brings a Christmas really feel to the town.

The Christmas markets of the East of France are significantly famend, however even small cities, reminiscent of my city in Brittany will usually have a small Christmas market.

When Do the French Say Merry Christmas?

Once I lived within the US, I used to be shocked to listen to individuals wishing one another ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Joyful Holidays’ beginning the day after Thanksgiving.

It’s not like that in France. Individuals don’t are likely to say “Joyeux Noël” (Merry Christmas) weeks earlier than. In fact, everyone is totally different… However it’s not the norm.You’ll hear it on Christmas week, and even then, it’s not computerized. You’ll largely simply hear it on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

How come? Possibly it’s as a result of France is such a secular nation… Christmas is a spiritual vacation in any case… Even saying “Joyeuses fêtes de fin d’année” – ‘Joyful Holidays’ in French – will not be as extensive unfold as I skilled it to be within the US.

This being stated, it wouldn’t be a faux-pas to want somebody ‘Joyful Holidays’ earlier than Christmas’ week. It’s simply that the French appear a bit extra discreet about it.

To study ten alternative ways to want somebody merry Christmas in French, I invite you to comply with the hyperlink to my free lesson with audio.

When Do the French Have a good time Christmas?

The date for the Christmas celebration in France is a bit versatile.

The Christmas meal in France known as “Le Réveillon de Noël” and historically was held late within the evening on December twenty fourth, as individuals return from the midnight mass.

However, issues change and now, many French households have their conventional Christmas meal on December twenty fifth, or earlier within the day on the twenty fourth.

Extra concerning the true date of Christmas in France in my article: I’ll discover when the French maintain their Christmas household reunion but in addition when the standard French Christmas mass are celebrated.

Are Christmas Greeting Playing cards Nonetheless a French Christmas Custom?

French individuals do ship out Christmas greetings and needs for the brand new 12 months, nevertheless it’s a practice which is fading away.

The factor which is common proper now’s to ship out an finish of the 12 months recap, usually on social networks reminiscent of Fb.

What Are “Les Etrennes”?

“Les Etrennes” is the French custom to provide some money or a pleasant and considerably worthwhile current to individuals who present companies for you such because the mailman, firemen, rubbish collectors, your cleansing girl…

It’s not obligatory nevertheless it’s a powerful custom in France. Round Christmas time or the New Yr, collective service suppliers could go door to door and promote a calendar for a set worth (however you’ll be able to all the time give extra, or simply hand money and never take the calendar…). They could additionally not promote something and simply say “nous venons pour les étrennes”. It’s then customary to provide them a invoice, the quantity of which is completely at your discretion.

Some service suppliers by no means ask for something. It’s the case of the rubbish collectors. So I often look forward to them to return by after which get out and put together 3 payments of 10 Euros and hand one invoice to every individual within the truck. To be trustworthy, I don’t understand how “authorized” this all is, however hey… Their work is difficult and so they recognize the gesture and the thought.

For a family worker reminiscent of a cleansing girl or a gardener, you’d give a bit extra. Half a month to a full month of wage is customary. In money 💶 💶 💶

It was that “les étrennes” got solely after the New Yr. However’s it’s now not the case. We now give “les étrennes” anytime between November and the tip of January.

What’s “L’Avent”?

“L’Avent” (pronounced precisely like “avant” (that means earlier than – not the t silent for each) is a spiritual custom which dictates that beginning 4 Sundays earlier than the approaching of Christ, Christians put together mentally for his arrival.

This era is symbolized by a giant wreath with a candle une couronne avec une bougie, and a particular calendar referred to as le calendrier de l’Avent with a bit nook for every day which hides a bit deal with: a picture, toy or sweet. You’re imagined to open one slot day by day: this helps youngsters countdown until Christmas and teaches endurance.

Every year, the precise starting date of the Creation modifications because it begins on the 4th Sunday earlier than the twenty fifth. Properly, in idea. In follow, most French Christmas Creation calendars begin on December 1st (and finish on the twenty fifth).

What’s “La Crèche”?

“La crèche” is a crucial French Christmas custom. It’s a part of the French Christmas decorations, and is a conventional ingredient of the French Catholic Christmas.

“Une crèche” – a Christmas manger in English – represents the evening of the delivery of child Jesus. The important characters of “la crèche” are Mary, Joseph, child Jesus, often a donkey and an ox, generally the three kings.

Sometimes, a Christmas manger in France would characteristic many little collectible figurines, additionally referred to as “un santon“, representing cities people as they collect across the steady for the delivery of child Jesus. This type of Christmas mangers are significantly well-known in Provence, and it’s widespread for a Christmas manger will be handed on from generations to generations in France.

My daughter Leyla and I made our personal Christmas manger with polymer clay: we had a lot enjoyable and it’s now a household treasure. What do you suppose?

When Do the French Set Up Their Christmas Tree?

If you wish to comply with the Catholic custom, Un sapin de Noël (a Xmas tree) shouldn’t be arrange earlier than Christmas Eve, so on December twenty fourth. It needs to be taken down twelve nights after, for the Epiphanie (the go to of the Kings).

In actuality, there isn’t a fastened date. I like having a Christmas tree round the home, and mine is a pretend tree (though recent bushes are nonetheless extremely popular in France) so I usually set mine up on Thanksgiving! (Thanksgiving will not be a French custom by the way in which)

Chances are you’ll take pleasure in this video I made about Christmas in France, particularly the Christmas ornament. Flip the CC on/off in French and/or English with the wheel of choices positioned on the underside proper of the YouTube display.

What Are The French Christmas Current Traditions?

Like in lots of nations, the French alternate presents for Christmas – Faire des cadeaux.

Historically, we don’t cling stockings on the hearth round Christmas time in France.

So the place does Santa put the items? In France, Santa places the Christmas items in sneakers we place by the hearth, as demonstrated within the Tino Rossi’s track – Petit Papa Noël 

Nevertheless, it’s not a really revered custom. These days, the quite a few Christmas items are often positioned underneath the Christmas tree, or subsequent to it. And chances are you’ll even see just a few stockings hanging down the mantel (if you’re fortunate to have a fire that’s!).

As I stated earlier than, many cities could have un marché de Noël – A Christmas market in France: small wood châlet like stands promoting native arts and crafts, particular Christmas meals reminiscent of le ache d’épice (gingerbread), regional delicacies, handmade clothes, des décorations de Noël (ornaments)… A lot of issues.

Even when they are usually costly, it’s actually enjoyable to roam the market and stare upon all the things and Christmas markets are extremely popular amongst French individuals.

What about sending a French present to your mates for Christmas?

Now with Amazon.fr and plenty of different web sites delivering all around the world, it’s not tough discovering a French / France associated present to your Francophile pals. A French Christmas tree decoration is a good suggestion, or possibly some magnetic French poetry phrases.

🎁 However the most effective present of all of it could be a downloadable French Immediately’s audiobook to study French like it’s spoken at this time. Don’t you agree? 🙂

Are There French Christmas Carols?

Though we do have many Christmas songs (watch a video of my daughter Leyla singing “Petit Papa Noël”), caroling within the streets is simply not a French custom.

Really, we don’t also have a time period for it apart from chanter des chants de Noël (to sing Christmas songs)… It’s generally performed in some cities – I imply nothing forbids it – however caroling will not be a typical French custom.

It’s not widespread for French pop stars to launch a Christmas album in France. Many French Canadian singers do have a Christmas album, and it’s potential to seek out Christmas songs in French, however not very fashionable.

Who’s the French Santa Claus?

In Northern-Japanese France, Santa – Le Père Noël – is commonly changed by Saint Nicholas, and the items introduced out to youngsters on December sixth.

Find out about the French Santa and follow your French with my bilingual article.

What’s The Conventional French Christmas Meals?

With so many culinary delights in France, it’s exhausting to determine what sort of meals French individuals actually eat round Christmas.

Don’t imagine all the things you learn! If oysters and Foie-Gras are a certain factor, recent truffles and caviar are nonetheless very a lot for the wealthiest… And have you ever ever heard of the French 13 Christmas deserts?

There’s a lot to say on this topic that I wrote a whole article finding out the myths and realities of the typical French Christmas meal.

That just about ends the lengthy record of French Christmas traditions, however that doesn’t imply the Season’s festivities are over..

I invite you to learn my articles about how the French have a good time New Yr in France.

Wait! It’s not Fairly Over But!!

On January sixth, the French commemorate the go to of the 3 kings with a particular cake: la galette des Rois. There’s a entire custom about it: it is advisable to find out about it for those who don’t wish to lose a tooth!!

I put up new articles each week, so ensure you subscribe to the French Immediately e-newsletter – or comply with me on Fb, Twitter and Pinterest.

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Joyeux Noël, et bonne année !
Merry Christmas and New Yr!