Share your Holiday Traditions
Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2004 7:14 pm
We celebrate Christmas with a mixture of both American and French traditions.
My children use stockings, but French children put their shoes near the fireplace in hopes that Pere Noel (Papa Noel) will come in the night and fill them with gifts. They fear a visit from Pere Fouettard who dispenses spankings to naughty children! (I have never met him!)
In 1962, a law was passed in France decreeing that all letters written to Pere Noel would be responded to with a postcard. When a school class writes a letter, each student gets a postcard.
The French attend “la Messe de Minuit” (mass) on Christmas Eve. It is followed by a huge feast, called “le Réveillon” (from the verb réveiller, to wake up or revive). Le Réveillon is a symbolic awakening to the meaning of Christ's birth and is the culinary high point of the season! Of course, I preside over this feast in my home! We invite our dearest friends and family members. I have had over 50 people for this feast in my home and I always cry at some point during the meal. I serve things such as capon, goose, chicken, and boudin blanc (similar to white pudding).
After Réveillon, it is customary to leave a candle burning in case the Virgin Mary passes by.
I always, (ALWAYS) make (at least one) “La bûche de Noël” (Yule log) - A log-shaped cake made of chocolate and chestnuts. Representative of the special wood log burned from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day in the Périgord, which is a holdover from a pagan Gaul celebration.
(If you want a recipe--- PM me!)
The sapin de Noël (yes--- Christmas tree!) is the main decoration in homes, streets, shops, offices, etc. The sapin de Noël appeared in Alsace in the 14th century, decorated with apples, paper flowers, and ribbons and gained popularity in all of France in 1837.
While we decorate our tree, my children always sing “Mon Beau Sapin” (similar to “Oh Christmas Tree”)
The Crèche is VERY important in France and everyone has several in their homes.
Mistletoe is hung above the door during the Christmas season to bring good fortune throughout the year—we do not kiss under it—as if we need an excuse to kiss! O LA LA! We need excuses NOT to kiss!
The French sing “Sainte Nuit” while the English sing “Silent Night”. A beautiful (and my favorite) song in any language. I have a recording of my darling brother singing that song and I can not listen to it without crying.
I spend a great deal of time crying over the Holidays. I know I am truly blessed and I tend to get a bit emotional….
I sincerely hope you all find peace, love and joy this Holiday Season…. I have seldom met a group of people who deserve it more..
Joyeux Noel! Bonne Annee!
My children use stockings, but French children put their shoes near the fireplace in hopes that Pere Noel (Papa Noel) will come in the night and fill them with gifts. They fear a visit from Pere Fouettard who dispenses spankings to naughty children! (I have never met him!)
In 1962, a law was passed in France decreeing that all letters written to Pere Noel would be responded to with a postcard. When a school class writes a letter, each student gets a postcard.
The French attend “la Messe de Minuit” (mass) on Christmas Eve. It is followed by a huge feast, called “le Réveillon” (from the verb réveiller, to wake up or revive). Le Réveillon is a symbolic awakening to the meaning of Christ's birth and is the culinary high point of the season! Of course, I preside over this feast in my home! We invite our dearest friends and family members. I have had over 50 people for this feast in my home and I always cry at some point during the meal. I serve things such as capon, goose, chicken, and boudin blanc (similar to white pudding).
After Réveillon, it is customary to leave a candle burning in case the Virgin Mary passes by.
I always, (ALWAYS) make (at least one) “La bûche de Noël” (Yule log) - A log-shaped cake made of chocolate and chestnuts. Representative of the special wood log burned from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day in the Périgord, which is a holdover from a pagan Gaul celebration.
(If you want a recipe--- PM me!)
The sapin de Noël (yes--- Christmas tree!) is the main decoration in homes, streets, shops, offices, etc. The sapin de Noël appeared in Alsace in the 14th century, decorated with apples, paper flowers, and ribbons and gained popularity in all of France in 1837.
While we decorate our tree, my children always sing “Mon Beau Sapin” (similar to “Oh Christmas Tree”)
The Crèche is VERY important in France and everyone has several in their homes.
Mistletoe is hung above the door during the Christmas season to bring good fortune throughout the year—we do not kiss under it—as if we need an excuse to kiss! O LA LA! We need excuses NOT to kiss!
The French sing “Sainte Nuit” while the English sing “Silent Night”. A beautiful (and my favorite) song in any language. I have a recording of my darling brother singing that song and I can not listen to it without crying.
I spend a great deal of time crying over the Holidays. I know I am truly blessed and I tend to get a bit emotional….
I sincerely hope you all find peace, love and joy this Holiday Season…. I have seldom met a group of people who deserve it more..
Joyeux Noel! Bonne Annee!
But I make him suffer through it 
Going to my grandmothers house for Christmas has become such a staple of our Christmas tradition, I dont know what we are going to do when she passes. Christmas will never be the same.Our family is usually so busy with their daily lives that it's hard to get together alot, but at Christmas we are all gathered together for a whole day of eating, sharing stories and reminiscing, and celebrating the holiday.