| Nearly every French home at Christmastime displays a
Nativity scene or creche, which serves as the focus for the
Christmas celebration. The creche is often peopled with little clay
figures called santons or "little saints." An extensive
tradition has evolved around these little figures which are made by
craftsmen in the south of France throughout the year. In addition to the
usual Holy Family, shepherds, and Magi, the craftsmen also produce figures
in the form of local dignitaries and characters. The craftsmanship
involved in creating the gaily colored santons is quite astounding
and the molds have been passed from generation to generation since the
seventeenth century. Throughout December the figures are sold at annual
Christmas fairs in Marseille and Aix.
The Christmas tree has never been particularly popular
in France, and though the use of the Yule log has faded, the French make a
traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the buche de Nol, which
means "Christmas Log." The cake, among other food in great
abundance is served at the grand feast of the season, which is called le
rveillon. Le rveillon is a very late supper held after midnight
mass on Christmas Eve. The feast has numerous courses ranging from soups, fruits, salads, meats, fish, chicken, cheese, breads, nuts, pastry, candy, and of course, plenty of wine.
The menu, however, varies according to regional
culinary tradition. In Alsace, goose is the main course, in Burgundy it is
turkey with chestnuts, and the Parisians feast upon oysters and pat de
foie gras.
French children receive gifts from Pere Noel who
travels with his stern disciplinarian companion Pre Fouettard. Pre
Fouettard reminds Pere Noel of just how each child has behaved
during the past year. In some parts of France Pere Noel brings
small gifts on St. Nicholas Eve (December 6) and visits again on
Christmas. In other places it is le petit Jsus who brings
the gifts. Generally adults wait until New Year's Day to exchange gifts.
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