Christmas Traditions In Normandy, France
In Normandy, France, as in the rest of the world, the month of December is a festive time filled with celebrations of Christmas. This beautiful country has many rich traditions surrounding this prominent holiday. Though some have changed and grown over the years, the holiday season is still celebrated throughout Normandy with many time-tested traditions.
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History
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The first Christmas celebration reached France in the year 496. The first Christmas tree here was a fir, which was decorated and presented as the tree for the holiday in 1605. In the 16th century Nativity scenes began making an appearance. In Christmases past the children in Normandy would lay out their shoes in front of the fireplace on Christmas Eve. The next day they would find them filled with fruits, nuts and candy.
Time Frame
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Though the Christmas seasons spans most of December, the actual holiday is not always celebrated on Dec. 25. Many families give gifts to the children on Dec. 6, which is St. Nicholas' Day. Adults then exchange gifts on New Year's. The Christmas season in France lasts long past Christmas Day. After New Year's a visit from the wise men is celebrated. A special cake called "Le Gateau des Rois," or "Galette des Rois," is served which has a small item or fava bean baked inside. Whoever finds the special item in their piece of cake becomes king or queen for the day.
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Features
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Christmas today is celebrated throughout Normandy with a variety of festive events. Christmas markets pop up in almost every town, selling decorations, foie gras, local produce and hand made crafts. All across Normandy holiday events take place including concerts, Nativity plays and turkey fairs. Christmas Eve Mass is still a thriving tradition and popular for all families, whether Catholic or not. After Mass it is customary to hold a great feast at home.
Types
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Christmas in Normandy has many traditional foods attached to it. Glazed chestnuts are a particular seasonal favorite. Another Christmas-time tradition is the yule log cake, or buche de noel. This is a log-shaped cake made with many layers of cake and chocolate frosting. The finished cake is covered with more chocolate frosting and decorated to resemble a tree log. A popular decoration is the creche, or Nativity scene. Some Nativity scenes are so elaborate at churches that families will travel from one to the next just to view them.
Function
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A traditional French Christmas does not have Santa Claus but instead sees a visit from Le Pere Noel, or Father Christmas. He is a tall, thin man who dons a long robe with a peaked hood. Stockings are hung from the foot of the bed. Carols that may be heard ringing through the Normandy streets include "Um Flambeau, Jeannette Isabelle" (Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabelle), "Minuit Chretiens" (O Holy Night) and "Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant" (He is Born, the Divine Christ-Child).
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