Christmas in France
As a school competition, each grade decorated their hallway for Christmas. The sixth grades theme was Christmas around the world. Our group decorated using some of the customs and traditions of France. We learned much about France.
In France, Christmas is celebrated on December 25. On Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel (the equivalent of our Santa). In the morning they find sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys in there shoes, and hanging on the Christmas tree, as well. In some regions there's also Père Fouettard who gives out spankings to bad children (sort of the equivalent of our Santa giving coal to the naughty).
In France, Christmas is celebrated on December 25. On Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel (the equivalent of our Santa). In the morning they find sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys in there shoes, and hanging on the Christmas tree, as well. In some regions there's also Père Fouettard who gives out spankings to bad children (sort of the equivalent of our Santa giving coal to the naughty).
In 1962, a law was passed decreeing that all letters written to Santa would be responded to with a postcard. When a class writes a letter, each student gets a response.
In cathedral squares, the story of Christ's birth is re-enacted by both players and puppets.
In Southern France, a log is burned in people's homes from Christmas Eve until New Years Day. A long time ago, part of the log was used to make the wedge for the plough as good luck for the coming harvest. Thus, the traditional Christmas cake is a chocolate yule log.