In France, Santa Claus is called Père Noël. In eastern France he is accompanied by Le Pere
Fouettard, a man dressed in black. He might be the same person as Zwarte Piet
in The Netherlands.
The main Christmas meal, called "Réveillon", is eaten on Christmas Eve after people have
returned from the midnight Church Service. Dishes might include roast turkey
with chestnuts or roast goose, oysters, foie gras, lobster, venison and
cheeses. For dessert, a chocolate sponge cake log called a "bûche de Noël" is normally eaten. It reminds a real log
burned in people's homes from Christmas Eve until New Years Day to forget about
the past.
Yule Logs made out of Cherry Wood are often burned in
French homes. The log is carried into the home on Christmas Eve and is
sprinkled with red wine to make the log smell nice when it is burning. There is
a custom that the log and candles are left burning all night with some food and
drinks left out in case Mary and the baby Jesus come past during the night.
Another celebration, in some parts of France, is that
13 different desserts are eaten! All the desserts are made from different types
of fruit, nuts and pastries.
In France it is a time for the whole family to come
together at Christmas time to holiday and worship. On the eve of Christmas
beautifully lit churches and cathedrals, ring out Christmas carols with the
church bells.
French children set out their shoes in hopes that "le
petit Jesus" will fill them during the night with small gifts.
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