Holiday Season in France

Santa Claus Kids don’t generally look to Santa Claus for their presents They look to Pere Noel (Father Christmas), St. Nicholas, and Pere Fouettard (Father Spanker- for the misbehaved children)

La réveillon This is the grand meal that French families have after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. This meal is more important than a Christmas day meal. They generally eat seafood (fruits de mer), goose(l’oie), or another type of roasted bird.

Le jour de Noel and le 6 décembre Christmas day, most children will open up their gifts The 6th of December is le jour de St. Nicholas (children may receive small gifts or candy from him) Please remember St. Nicholas was a real man who would bring gifts to the orphanages because the children didn’t have parents to give them any

Le 31 décembre La Saint-Sylvestre is celebrated on December 31st by the adults Most adults will choose to open their Christmas gifts on this day

La culture juive La Fete de Hanoucca (the Hanukkah season) also called La Fete des Lumieres Celebrated le 6-14 decembre (think of Adam Sandler- they have 8 CRAZY nights!)

LES LUMIERES The eight candles represent the length it took for the Macabees to reclaim the Holy Jewish temple by the Greco-Syrian king The ninth candle on the menorah is used as a lighter candle for the rest of the 8 candles

Fried foods! During this time period, Jewish people eat more fried foods than the norm This is because of the story about the lamp that the Macabees had only having enough oil for 1 night but burned for 8 instead Laktes are common (fried potato pancakes)

Milad un Nabi

Birth of the Prophet Muhammad Celebrated le 24 decembre It has been said that Muhammad did not believe in celebrating births or deaths Stories are told during this day about Muhammad and how he forgave his enemies

What do they do? Donate Exchange gifts Eat sweets

Festival of Mawlid Children get a chance to ride ponies and do other fun activities Classes of reading the Qur’an