15 Best French Christmas Traditions To Recreate at Home
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Loading... - Sienna Gray
- 06 Dec 2021
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Here is your guide to the best French Christmas traditions! Being French, I’ve listed in this article all of the best Christmas traditions in France you can adopt anywhere you are. From Christmas greetings to traditional French Christmas foods and French Christmas table decorations, here are fifteen Christmas traditions in France to add to your festive celebrations. Even if you cannot make it to Paris this Christmas, follow me on this cultural journey to find out more about the Holiday season in France, plus the French Christmas traditions you can recreate right at home.
French Christmas Greetings
Joyeux Noël et joyeuses fêtes de fin d’année!
Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
To wish someone Merry Christmas in French, we say “Joyeux Noël”. However the French don’t wish “Joyeux Noël” to each other weeks in advance, we only say it a few days before Christmas. Also, Christmas cards are not very popular in France. Instead, cards are sent traditionally to celebrate the New Year.
To wish someone Happy New Year in French we say “Bonne Année”. It’s important never to wish anyone a “Bonne Année” before midnight on New Year’s Eve as this brings bad luck.
Advent Calendars · Les Calendriers de l’Avent
Advent calendars are a big deal in France. Each year, French chocolatiers and luxury French brands release even more beautiful advent calendars, elevating them to a must-have for cozy holiday decor. The offerings have extended beyond chocolates and French brands make excellent advent calendars filled with goodies from tea, beauty, and other high-end treats. It’s a great way to count the days until Christmas by opening one window per day through Christmas Eve.
Christmas Tree · Le Sapin De Noël
According to the Catholic tradition, a Christmas tree should not be put up before Christmas Eve (on December 24th). And it should be taken down twelve days after Christmas (on the Epiphany). However, in reality, there is no fixed date. Indeed, most French households have their French Christmas tree set up by about the 15th of December (and even the 1st) and street decorations are usually up from the first Sunday of Advent. You can read my previous article on French Christmas tree ornaments to decorate your Christmas tree the French way.
The Nativity Scene · La Crèche
One thing every French home has right under the Christmas tree is the crèche or Nativity scene. La crèche is part of the French Christmas decorations and is an important part of the French Catholic traditions. La crèche features many little figurines, also called santons in Provence, representing towns folks as they gather around the stable for the birth of baby Jesus.
Advent Wreaths · Les Couronnes De l’Avent
Advent wreaths (Couronnes de l’Avent) are also common in France, they are made up of fir and pine tree branches for the first Sunday of Advent. They are traditionally knotted with beautiful red bows and decorated with pine or fir cones. Advent wreaths usually decorate a table or adorn the front door or windows of a house.
Christmas Markets · Les Marchés de Noël
Christmas markets are an important part of the French Christmas tradition. With small wooden châlet like stands selling all kinds of goods and delicacies, Christmas markets are a fun place to go Christmas shopping. In a traditional French Christmas market, you can find local arts and crafts, special Christmas food such as pain d’épices (gingerbread), regional delicacies, handmade clothing, or Christmas ornaments. Basically, everything you need to celebrate Christmas the French way! Being French, my favorite Christmas market is the one at the Tuileries Garden, Paris: it really brings a Christmas vibe to the city. I love the one at Strasbourg as well, which is particularly renowned. Read More…
