French Christmas Celebration Part 2 -

While other nations might focus on Christmas Day lunch, the pinnacle of French holiday gastronomy is , a sumptuous, late-night feast held on Christmas Eve. The name comes from the French word réveil , meaning "awakening" or "revival," as the meal traditionally takes place after returning from the Midnight Mass service, stretching well past midnight and into the early hours of Christmas morning.

Share this article with someone who thinks French Christmas is only about croissants and the Eiffel Tower. They have no idea what they are missing. French Christmas Celebration Part 2

In France, Santa Claus is known as (Father Christmas). While he shares the same spirit of generosity as his global counterparts, he has his own unique French flair. His outfit is a red cloak with a white fur-trimmed hood, and he doesn't travel with reindeer but with a donkey named Gui (the French for mistletoe). On Christmas Eve, French children do not hang stockings by the chimney. Instead, they carefully place their best shoes ( les souliers ) by the fireplace or under the Christmas tree, filled with carrots and treats for Père Noël's donkey. When he arrives, Père Noël typically deposits small gifts and sweets directly into the shoes. Bigger presents appear under the sapin de Noël (Christmas tree). In many French homes, the family tradition is to open the gifts not on Christmas morning, but after the Réveillon feast on Christmas Eve. While other nations might focus on Christmas Day