La Vie En France
ChRISTMAS GIFTS I
t is tradition to offer « offrir » a Christmas present « cadeau de Noël ». In France the tradition is to give the presents on the evening of the 24 December and to open them « ouvrir les cadeaux » after midnight. Children often have to wait until Christmas morning «le matin de Noël » by which time Father Christmas « Le père Noël » will have called. Christmas presents « cadeaux de Noël » are generally wrapped « enveloppés » in wrapping paper / gift wrap « papier cadeau » which is brightly coloured « brillant » or « de couleur vive », sometimes surrounded by a ribbon « ruban » or « bolduc ». In France on Christmas Eve « la veille de Noël », the children place a slipper « un soulier » or a pair of slippers under the Christmas tree « le sapin ». Before the appearance of the consumer society « la société de consommation » the gift was often something to eat (apple « une pomme » orange « une orange » or sugar candy « une cane en sucre »). In Catholic families the
by Sue Burgess
presents were brought by the baby Jesus. But since the 20th century adoption of the American custom, the presents are delivered by Father Christmas «le père Noël». Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, that shouldn't stop you joining in the fun and enjoying yourself. Christmas is very much a family affair in France « une affaire de famille », with the emphasis on the family getting together to celebrate with large meals rather than on giving presents. The French prefer to say that a present was offered « offrir» rather than bought « acheter» So it’’s better to say « mon ami m’a offert un cadeau» rather than « mon ami m’a acheté un cadeau». New year gifts are called « étrennes» and were generally gifts of money such as money given to service providers (for example refuse collectors « les éboueurs»). Here is a little Christmas vocabulary quiz. Match the French on the left with the English on the right.
Vocabulary / Vocabulaire Noël
Christmas carols
Les chants de Noël
Christmas decorations
Les décorations de Noël
Boxing Day
Le gui Christmas Offrir des cadeaux
Gift wrap
Le lendemain de Noël
To give presents
Les fêtes
mistletoe
Le papier cadeau
The holiday season / the festivities
La Veille de Noël
A garland / streamer / tinsel
Une guirlande
Christmas Eve
And if you don't like studying vocabulary, there is always a good Christmas film. « Home Alone » (Maman, j'ai raté l'avion) « A Christmas Carol » (Le Drôle de Noël de Scrooge) « Miracle on 34th Street » (Miracle sur la 34e rue) « The Santa Clause » (Super Noël) « The Grinch Who Stole Christmas » (Comment le Grinch a volé Noël !) « A Charlie Brown Christmas » (Un Noël à la Charlie Brown)
JOYEUX NOËL À TOUS 28 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, December 2021
