Fun French Holiday Traditions
Personally, I am all about traditions.
And not just holiday traditions, but family traditions, friend traditions and even personal traditions. One of my traditions I am most proud of is actually an annual reunion with some college friends from Student Government. We get together once year, usually for an Orioles game, relive the glory days from college and catch up. It's always a blast. The best thing about traditions is that they get more valuable every year they survive (Mine is going on six years!). So, while writing my French 101 wine post I wondered - what are some typical French holiday traditions?
Here are some of my favorites:
- Children place their shoes in front of the fire place in hopes that Santa will leave gifts in their shoes (an interesting alternative to the stocking).
- In 1962, an official French law declared that all letters to Santa will receive a postcard in response.
- For Christmas Eve Church-goers, Le Réveillon is a long and luxurious dinner held on Christmas Eve (and New Year's Eve) following evening church services.
They have fun holiday food traditions too:
- La bûche de Noël (Yule Log); this delicious dessert is representative of the piece of firewood used to warm the home on Christmas day.
- La Galette des Rois (King 's Cake); this traditional cake is associated with the Epiphany. The baker hides a trinket (traditionally a plastic baby to represent Jesus) inside the cake. Everyone cuts a slice of cake and the one who discovers the toy is made king (or queen) for the day and wears a crown. The king may also choose a queen by putting the toy in her glass and everyone applauds. Tradition says the next party is thrown at the King's expense (some honor, right?!) I think this yummy dish needs to make an appearance at my next holiday party!
What are some of your favorite traditions?
Happy Holidays and Cheers!