In France, Christmas is a time for family and for generosity, marked by family reunions, gifts and candy for children, gifts for the poor, Midnight Mass, and le Réveillon . There are many traditions, and they are strongly integrated into the celebrations of most French families.

From a special meal on Christmas Eve, to the exchange of gifts, traditions vary across different regions of France, as well as among different families. The celebration of Christmas in France varies by region. Most provinces celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December, which is a bank holiday.

French children put their shoes in front of the fireplace, in the hopes that Père Noël (aka Papa Noël ) will fill them with gifts. Candy, fruit, nuts, and small toys will also be hung on the tree overnight. For this activity, we placed pine boughs, candy canes, and small toys into our shoes for Père Noël!