CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE

SYNOPSIS
CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE CELEBRATION FOOD DECORATIONS MUSIC AND CAROLS GIFTS ECONOMY

CHRISTMAS
Christmas is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed holiday, celebrated generally on December 25 by millions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it closes the Advent season and initiates the twelve days of Christmastide, which ends after the twelfth night.

CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE
In France, Christmas is called Noel. This comes from the French phrase les bonnes nouvelles," which means "the good news" and refers to the gospel. It is a time for the whole family to come together at Christmas time to holiday and worship. On the eve of Christmas beautifully lit churches and cathedrals, ring out Christmas carols with the church bells.

CELEBRATION
The procession of the Christ child and the visit to the creche were essential elements of the traditions surrounding this great celebration. French home at Christmas time displays a Nativity scene or creche, which serves as the focus for the Christmas celebration.

 The creche is often peopled with little clay figures called santons or "little saints. Santons may be made of terracotta and painted with bright colors or doll-like figures dressed in miniature clothes. There are more than 50 different santons representing the holy family and traditional village characters like Mary, Joseph, Jesus, shepherds etc

 French families also bake a Three Kings Cake with a bean hidden in it on the Twelfth Day. The lucky person to find the bean in their slice is crowned the King or Queen, for the day. Children look for the Kings and offer them the gifts of hay for the camels. Last night of the holiday was celebrated as the Feast of Fools and only after that the Lord of Misrule could give up his crown.

PUBLIC LIFE
Public life on Christmas Day is generally very quiet. Post offices, banks, stores, restaurants, cafes and other businesses are closed. Some stores at airports, railway stations and major highways, may be open.

 Public transport service schedules vary depending on where one is and hopes to travel. Churches may be closed for visitors, who do not wish to take part in the services and guided tours are often not available.

FOOD
On Christmas Eve, after the midnight mass is over, a very late supper known as "Le reveillon" is held. The menu for the meal varies from region to region within the country. While goose is the main course in Alsace, it is oysters and pat de foie gra in Paris. In Burgundy, it is turkey with chestnuts, cake, fruit and wine.

 The "buche de Nol", meaning "Christmas Log", is a traditional Yule log-shaped cake specially prepared here for Christmas. It is an indispensable part of the grand French Christmas feast. Le Revellion may consist of poultry, ham, salads

 Once dinner is over, family members retire to bed but not before laying food and drinks on the table and leaving a fire burning. This is believed to be in honor of Virgin Mary, who is supposed to visit homes during Christmas time.

DECORATIONS
The towns in France burst into color with lights and Christmas trees in the last few weeks before Christmas. In the square, in front of the Town Hall Hotel de Ville or Mairie, there is usually a giant tree, covered in lights and decorated with baubles. These are real trees, not the plastic ones.

 The shop windows are transformed. Each shop presents a Christmas theme featuring its products and Christmas decorations. Towns and villages hold competitions to choose the best decorated shop window. There are scenes in snowy forests, with Bambi and his friends; frozen lakes with ice skaters; snowy mountains with skiers; the Three Kings travelling to Bethlehem; the crib with Baby Jesus; or scenes from traditional fairy tales.

MUSIC AND CAROLS

French carols were dances accompanied by singing. Also the "carol" was a kind of round dance. In time the "carol" changed its meaning, referring to only to certain kinds of songs. A number of currently popular American Christmas carols came directly from France.

 Puppets and plays are conducted in cathedral squares to re-enact Nativity plays. A popular Christmas song for French children is Petit Papa Noel.

GIFTS
Unlike some countries,children are given gifts on the 6th of December. That is called Saint Nicholas Day. The adults give each others presents on New Year's Day. Children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel(Santa Claus).

 Pere Noel carries the present not in a sack, but in a basket or hotte on his back, like those carried by grape harvesters. Children write letters to Pere Noel in the hope of getting presents from him. In the morning they also find that sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys have been hung on the tree.

ECONOMY
Christmas is typically a peak selling season for retailers in many nations around the world. Sales increase dramatically as people purchase gifts, decorations, and supplies to celebrate. Christmas Day is the least active day of the year for business and commerce; almost all retail, commercial and institutional businesses are closed, and almost all industries cease activity.

 Film studios release many high-budget movies during the holiday season, including Christmas films, fantasy movies or high-tone dramas with high production values to hopes of maximizing the chance of nominations for the Academy Awards.

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