For Liam, it is the caroling that brings the Christmas season to life. For Aurélie, it is a Christmas Eve surrounded by family and carefully chosen presents. For Muriel, the holiday spans two days — and so does the celebrating. With the Christmas season in full swing, foreigners living in Paris shared their favorite memories, and also described what they like best about French traditions.
« Singing carols is my favorite tradition, » says Liam, from Britain. « It brings people together in a unique way. » From « Silent Night » to « Jingle Bells, » he said, these songs evoke memories of Christmas past and present.
In the Netherlands, lucky children get to open gifts early — on Dec. 5, St.Nicolas Day. “Christmas is more about family gatherings and meals,” says Muriel. “We celebrate Christmas over two days, the 25th and 26th.”
In Greece, gifts are not opened until New Year’s Eve. And they don’t have a specific dish for Christmas. “It could be anything from turkey to salads and meatloaf. It really depends on the family”, says Myrto.
In Canada, the Christmas season starts early. “We start decorating our homes right after Thanksgiving in October, with Christmas trees, lights,” says Dominic from Toronto. Those lights are far more vibrant than in France. “We use a variety of colors like blue, orange, and sometimes even crazy, vibrant colors, » he notes.
But Canada has nothing to match the famous Christmas market in Strasbourg in eastern France. « It was magical, and I had never seen anything like it in Canada, » Dominic adds.
Culinary specialities
For many foreigners interviewed on a recent day, holiday food powered happy memories. For Aurélie, in Lebanon, there is a special dessert called ‘Meghle’. It traditionally made for the birth of a child and also for Christmas, symbolizing the birth of Christ. “Instead, we enjoy Lebanese dishes like tabbouleh. It’s a bit of a culture shock to see the traditional French Christmas meal with foie gras and oysters. », says Aurélie.
In the Netherlands, there’s no typical Christmas meal too, adds Muriel. However, one popular tradition is ‘gourmetten’ where they cook small pieces of meat and vegetables on a plancha. “It’s very communal and fun. » Muriel says.
Christmas memories
Beyond culinary habits, the new season brings back many memories. Myrto recounts this unique tradition, like what we know from Halloween. It’s all about turning your neighbor’s upside down to raise money: « We take a triangle instrument and go around singing Christmas carols to our neighbors.”
And what Aurélie likes best, now that she knows French culture, is the mix of traditions. In Lebanon, she sings Christmas carols in Arabic, often using melodies from iconic English and French songs:” It’s a beautiful blend of cultures, » she says. Myrto agrees and enjoys sharing French traditions with her Parisian friends: « The first time I went to the Marché de Noël at Jardin des Tuileries, it was magical.« , she says.
The anti-French British
Some British individuals prefer not to spend Christmas in Paris due to the differences from their own traditions. . »In England, we have well-established traditions like Christmas pudding, crackers, and family carol singing. », Jake says. For him, Paris doesn’t match him childhood memories
Josh shares this sentiment: « I love visiting Paris, but for Christmas, I prefer to stay in my home country. » He says that there’s something special about spending Christmas at home, and he thinks Paris is more touristy.
As the holiday season unfolds, these traditions, treats, and timeless joys remind us of the magic of Christmas. It’s these sweet, funny stories that make Christmas truly unforgettable.
Astrée Olivier