Holiday Season in France

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)

Santa Claus

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.

La réveillon

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 jour de Noel and le 6 décembre

La Saint-Sylvestre is celebrated on December 31st by the adults

Most adults will choose to open their Christmas gifts on this day

Le 31 décembre

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!)

La culture juive

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

LES LUMIERES

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)

Fried foods!

Milad un Nabi

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

Birth of the Prophet Muhammad

Donate Exchange gifts Eat sweets

What do they do?

Children get a chance to ride ponies and do other fun activities

Classes of reading the Qur’an

Festival of Mawlid