What happens in France on Christmas Eve?

Answer 1

Some customs for Christmas in France are :

- Town council decorate the main streets and individuals decorate their house. A very popular thing is to set up a Christmas tree (usually a fir tree) adorned with garlands.

- children write their wish list to the Père Noël - Santa's local name - and put their shoes under the Xmas tree or next to the fireplace. They rarely got to see Sants as he is so fast and has so little time do distribute all his presents.

- Families have a lavish dinner, the réveillon, which often lasts into the night.

Answer 2

The main event is the Réveillon, a big meal at midnight - usually going on till about 4 in the morning. French anticlerical tradion favours the giving of presents at New Year rather than Christmasl New Year presents are called Etrennes. Many towns have a firework display, organised by the Fire Brigade, and a ball at which one works up an appetite for the Réveillon.

Answer 3

On the eve of Christmas, French children leave their shoes or wooden clogs called sabots by the fireplace so that their favourite Christ Child or Pere Noel could fill it with gifts. Children believe that Pere Noel travels with his stern disciplinarian companion Pre Fouettard, who tells Pere Noel about the behaviour of each child in the past year. In some parts of France Pere Noel brings gifts for children on St. Nicholas Eve (December 6) and visits again on Christmas. In other places it is le petit Jesus who brings the gifts. Adults usually wait until New Year's Day to exchange gifts

Answer 4

The réveillon is the lavish dinner that takes palce during Christmas Eve or New year's eve. Fois gras, oysters, scallops or other delicacies are often on the menu. It is very frequent to drink Champagne - especially at midnight to celebrate New year, but other goods wines, French ones, are served with the meal. The réveillons tend to last until 2 or 23 am, so children often end sleeping in the sofa when you're not at home.