Christmas

Christmas in Paris

Paris is one of the most beautiful places to visit for Christmas. Especially the illumination on Champs Elysées is breathtaking. As many as 135,000 lights are prepared for the event, and the street goes on about 2.5 km up to the Triumphal Arch

Some famous department stores are also crowded with many people not only for Christmas shopping but also for their elaborate window decorations. They say it usually takes one year to make up a plan for the design and three weeks to set it up. So no wonder Paris attracts many people all over the world.

On Christmas Day, around eleven thirty, more and more people are arriving at Champs Elysées for the coundown fireworks. When the year breaks, people get more excited and begin to shout "Bonne Année!" or " Happy New Year!" with champagne. But remember here in Paris the subway is closed at one o'clock!, and only a few main lines are available. It's terrible if you are stuck in the crowded train or miss your train and have to walk home. I'm one of the persons who have experienced such a nightmare on New Year's Day....

 

Christmas in Provence

SANTON : Christmas is a big event here in Provence for every family too, and I'd like to show how their Christmas is. In the south of France, people prepare a beautiful set of dolls as well as a Christmas tree. It's called SANTON.

The origin dates back to 1223. In those days people celebrated the day at the church, but in 1791 all churches in France went under control of the French government, and people were not able to have the event at the chuch anymore. Then they created the dolls to enjoy the day at their houses. At first they made the dolls with dough.They also used paper and clay, and at last it was developed into the present style (below). At midnight on the Christmas eve, they place the figure of Jesus in the stable, where he was born. Around him are people who came to the town to support him. It is very fantastic.

Also, in the South, Christmas festivities begin on November 4th. According to their Cathoric calender, it's the day of Saint-Barbe. People put some moss on a cup saucer and saw some grains of wheat there. In about 20 days you will find some sprouts shooting. It's a symbol of prosperity, and they place it in Creche or on the table on Christmas Day.

*Creｃhe : the basket in which baby Jesus was placed : or a miniature stable for the birth of Jesus which is decorated on Christmas Day.

 

The 13 desserts : Every family in Provence is busy setting the table for Christmas. They have their own tradition about what they have or eat on Christmas Day, but there is one very important thing for all people. There should be 13 kinds of desserts on the table.

The number 13 represents Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles. First, you have to have dried grapes, almonds, hazelnuts and dried figs. And then dates, chesnuts, black and white nougat follow. For fresh fruit, you'll find oranges, mandarines, apples, pares, and a bunch of grapes. You also can't miss preserved fruit, quince pastries and calissons (almond sweets). In addition to these things, a patisserie will prepare a cake and a special bun named La pomp (below) which is seasoned by olive oil . Imagine how it is to have all these things on your table. It's very gorgeous.

La pompe and nougat

many kinds of nuts and more and more things are served.

Christmas Shopping : In the morning on the eve you can find many SANTON shops on the street. People come to find a new one to add to their collection every year. There are many kinds and sizes of SANTON, so you can enjoy just looking around the shops. It's really fun.

It's fun to go out for shopping.

Go to Church: At night people go to church, and there they have an interesting ceremony. They sing many songs. The priest gives a sermon. Children read their letters to the God. And again people in the church shake hands with each other praying for peace. They say it's our neighbors that we first have to make peace with to make world peace. At the end of the ceremony, the priest gives people a piece of bread which represents the body of Jesus Christ. It means he is always sharing with people. It's a really sacred moment.

Christmas Dinner: After all the events are over, people head for their houses and enjoy their wonderful dinner for Christmas. Here are some photos of my Christmas dinner.

Canape

Main dish my mother prepared. It's chicen with peach sauce.
Very delicious!!

Foigras. Very rich taste!!

And dessert cake.

Fire in the fireplace warms us during the meal.

Christmas Gifts: Then we eat and eat, talk and talk, waiting for the midnight to arrive. It is the hardest time for me on the day, or in the year, because I'm really full and really sleepy after all these things. And when the time comes, we place the Santon of Jesus in the center of Creche. And finally we exchange our gifts with each other as the last event of the day.

More photos are in Gallery.

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