Christmas in France
"Joyeux Noel"
In France children put their shoes by the fire on Christmas Eve to be filled by Pere Noel (Father Christmas). In the morning they are filled with fruit, nuts, sweets and small toys.
In some parts of the country they find a large log and keep it lit from Christmas Eve to New Years Day.They have a midnight mass at church on Christmas Eve and after mass the children decorate the table with candles and holly. They have a reveillion (midnight party) which includes turkey, boudin blanc (white sausage), wine, gingerbread biscuits, mini chocolate cakes and a yule log cake.
It is a tradition in most French homes to have a nativity scene or creche. The creche is peopled by clay santons or "little saints".
