Decorating a fir tree as the holy tree of Christmas began in the early 1600’s and continues today. The fir tree is decorated with candles and lights, colored stars, and tinsel. When the children are asleep it is of the France traditions that toys, fruits, and candies are hung on the tree branches. These items supplement the gifts left by Santa Clause in the shoes left by the fireplace.

On Christmas Eve it is one of the important France traditions to attend midnight mass at the churches and cathedrals. The buildings are always lit up magnificently and people can hear melodies of Christmas carols all around. Children are not to attend midnight mass but to go to bed early and dream about the wonderful gifts they might receive in the morning. After midnight mass, le reveillon occurs, which is a late supper with a traditional goose on a platter. The goose is served in Alsace, Bretons serves buckwheat and sour cream, Burgundy enjoys turkey and chestnuts, and the Paris regions enjoy oysters, foie gras, and a yule log is burned on the fire. France traditions enjoy fine wines at Christmas that include muscadet, Anjou, Sauterne, and Champagne.

Many towns in France have Christmas markets, shepherds offer a lamb, song festivals occur, and the entire population of France gathers bringing bread, meat, and candies as a symbol of the apostles.

The manger is another custom for France traditions. It used to resemble an alter and was placed inside the church or before the portal. Today, people arrange a manger in a prominent part of their home and children might bring rocks and moss to create a setting. At midnight mass, a real baby used to be used for the manger setting during the ceremony, but this does not occur anymore.

Christmas is one of the cherished France traditions and it is celebrated throughout the country as a family and religious event with many different nuances.

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