Here at The French Bedroom Company, we absolutely love Christmas and everything it brings, and we’ve been dreaming up ways to make it extra French and traditional.
Le Réveillon de Noel
Le Réveillon de Noel is a tradition that takes place on Christmas Eve in France. Le Réveillon de Noel is essentially a large and long feast to celebrate the arrival of Christmas. The name comes from the verb révellier, which means to wake up or revive and is an opportunity to get all friends and family together. The appetiser comprises of seafood such as oysters and smoked salmon. The star of the main course will typically be the traditional Christmas turkey; however, goose or lobster are also popular. To finish off this festive feast, dessert is a “buche de Noël”, or a “Yule log” – absolutely scrumptious.
French table decoration
When it comes to table decorations, unlike most countries around the world the French have a slightly different style - oozing pure class, elegance, and timeless sophistication, like everything they do! When creating your French style dining table keep it simple, the French tradition is for a wreath to be the centre piece. This is usually made from green foliage with pretty ribbons and contain four candles – which are lit to represent each week before Christmas. Keep the colour palette small and to a minimum – greens and silvers are elegant and classy. For finishing touches, Candelabra’s look stunning teamed with some foliage, our Pair of Acanthus Finials in a distressed grey finish are perfect for your French Christmas table. Or for something a little different, why not try the rustic Festoon French Urn.
The Crèche
A popular tradition in France is the Crèche, also known as the Nativity scene. Depicting the traditional nativity scene, Crèches can be seen in gardens, windows, and churches – and they range from very stylish and traditional to over the top. We love the idea of a Nativity in the window at Christmas.
Shoes by the Fire
A gorgeous French Christmas tradition that we adore is putting shoes by the fire. Unlike hanging a stocking up for Santa with the obligatory milk and mince pie (and of course a carrot for Rudolph!), French children leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope that Father Christmas will fill them with presents.
The burning of the Yule Log
The burning of the Yule Log is an old festive tradition in France, where families burn a log in their homes from Christmas Eve until New Year's Day. Traditionally the log was then used to make the wedge for a family's plough, bringing good luck for the coming harvest. More popular these days though sees families tuck into a chocolate version of the Yule Log rather than the wooden one.
As we sign off our final blog for 2021, we want to take this opportunity to say thank you for your support this year and we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
