In France, there are several different Christmas traditions. Children leave their shoes in front of the fireplace, hoping that Pére Noël (Father Christmas) will fill them with presents. When Pére Noël comes, he hangs nuts, fruit, candy, and small toys on the Christmas tree. Also, all letters written to Pére Noël are responded to with a postcard; a law was passed in 1962 declaring this.
Le Réveillon, a huge Christmas feast, is another important French tradition. It normally takes place in the early morning hours of Christmas day, after the families have attended midnight mass. The food eaten during Le Réveillon is different in each region of France.
One of the French decorations is the Christmas tree, but the crèche, a Nativity scene, is much more important. The crèche is often filled with clay figures called santons (“little saints”).
Mistletoe is often hung above the door of a house during the holiday season.
Overall, Christmas is a very important holiday in France.
