1. How the French celebrate christmas

2. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Joyeux Noël! Bonne Année! The celebration of Christmas in France varies by region. Most provinces celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December, which is a bank holiday. However, in eastern and northern France, the Christmas season begins on 6 December, la fête de Saint Nicolas, and in some provinces la fête des Rois* is one the most important holidays of the Christmas season. In Lyon, 8 December is la Fête de lumières, when Lyonnais pay hommage to the virgin Mary by putting candles in their windows which light up the village.

3. Traditions 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. There's also Père Fouettard who gives out spankings to bad children (sort of the equivalent of Santa Claus giving coal to the naughty). There is also a law in France that Father Christmas must respond to each letter he receives!

4. French Vocabulary Match the words to the pictures un cadeau Sapin bougie Papa Noel neige

5. 1 It has lights, tinsel, and a star on top. a) un bonhomme de neige b) le gui c) l'arbre de Noël d) une peluche Christmas Vocabulary Quiz You may want to use a dictionary to find the correct answer. Find out what the other words mean too!

6. 2 Rudolph is one. a) un santon b) un ruban c) un renne d) un ange

7. 3 Stand under this so that I can kiss you. a) la veille de Noël b) un ruban c) le gui d) la bûche de Noël

8. 4 He lives at the North Pole. a) Père Fouettard b) Papa Noël c) la Saint-Sylvestre d) la Messe de Minuit

9. 5 une carte de Noël a) Christmas carol b) Christmas present c) Christmas card d) Christmas tree

10. 6 Snowball a) le pain calendeau b) une boule de neige c) un bonhomme de neige d) un santon

11. Photographs Champs Elysees in Lights Bûche de Noël (Yule log) French Christmas Markets

12. The End