1. Holiday Season in France

2. 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)

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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!)

7. 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

8. 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)

9. Milad un Nabi

10. 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

11. What do they do?
Donate
Exchange gifts
Eat sweets

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