It’s the build-up to Christmas and every time I see someone I won’t see again until after the new year I wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year…if I’m speaking in English to a non-French friend. However, if it’s in French to a French friend then it’s a more generalised greeting “bonnes fêtes de fin d’année” which means happy end of year celebrations and is more like the American “Happy Holidays”. I could say “joyeux noël” (Happy Christmas) though it’s less common but I mustn’t wish them a Happy New Year. It’s considered bad luck to wish Happy New Year before midnight on the 31st.
This isn’t the only difference between British and French customs at this time of year, as with most aspects of life here, there are more than you would imagine being such close physical neighbours. The festive season focuses much more on New Year in France than Christmas. Whereas we Anglosaxons (as the French call us) send Christmas cards from the beginning of December, in order to arrive before Christmas, the French send New Year cards throughout the month of January. This means of course that cards aren’t an integral part of the Christmas decorations as they are for Brits, Aussies, Americans et al. Even after 18 years my French in-laws comment on how odd and quaint it is that I display the cards we receive!
Another noticeable difference is the office Christmas party, or lack of… In France most businesses will hold an apéritif in January, usually within the office, not in a restaurant, to wish the staff a Happy New Year. The only times I have come across a Christmas party, held in December, it has been a British or American company with international personnel. As for the raucous reputation of the office Christmas party (wearing your tasteless Christmas jumper), well forget it! That’s just not done.
The focus on New Year continues with most townhalls inviting the local community to a “Cérémonie de Voeux” sometime in early January which may or may not coincide with the traditional eating of the Galette des Rois. This ceremony usually takes the form of an apéritif to wish everybody good wishes (voeux) for the New Year.
So, dear readers, I’d love to hear about traditions in your countries at this time of year and I wish you all bonnes fêtes de fin d’année, enjoy yourselves wherever you are!
If you’d like to read more about Christmas traditions in France take a look at the posts below:
French school Christmas dinner
24 reasons to love Christmas in France
Christmas traditions in Provence – Santons
13 desserts: Christmas in Provence
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I never really thought about bad luck, wishing someone New Year earlier. But, as you said, I don’t use it together (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year) if I am sure to see person before New Year. I don’t do it with my brother and sister too, I always call them on the first day of new year.
It’s a far more relaxed and civilised approach, I find. No card stress. I’m not sure our UK friends understand when they get their cards in January though.
Very interesting! I wish we Americans would make a bigger deal about New Year’s because I am always behind getting out my Christmas cards! They become more like Happy New Year’s cards. HA.
I always enjoy your articles.
Bises,
Kimberly
Maybe you’ll spend Christmas here one year now that you’ve bought your dream house. NYE is great in France, French really know how to party. I think I’ve rarely been to bed before 4am often 6am
Office Christmas parties can be such fun, when I worked for a company and not for myself I missed them too, but over all I like the way French do Christmas. Happy Holidays to you too Diane!
I agree Lisa, it’s much calmer and way less commercial.
I like your way of thinking Janet, it is nice to extend the season even if it’s hard on the waist line and liver!!
I believe as long as it’s the first time you’ve seen that person in the year then you should say “bonne année” right up till the end of January. I love galette too….
I’m glad this rung true with you Richard.
Really interesting and informative post – thanks! I’ve never spent Christmas in France but I’ve had some memorable times on New Year’s Eve…
I don’t work for a French company but I think I’d really miss the American-style Christmas bash I’m used to. My old company in NYC would go all out and it was something all the employees looked forward to. Happy early Christmas to you and thanks for the linkup 😉
I love the under-statedness (is that a word?) of the French to the pre-Christmas celebrations. I think that the period is so much calmer coming up to the holidays than in other Anglo-saxon countries I’ve lived in. It also gives me a great excuse for sending out all my Christmas cards late so that they arrive after Christmas! LOL!!
I like the idea of having something to look forward to in January as it always seems a little flat and miserable by the end of that month. But when I’ve tried to organise anything for January there are plenty of people who say things like “oh I couldn’t possibly, I’m on a diet/detox). Party poopers!
#AllAboutFrance
For me, the question always was – how late in January can you wish someone “Bonne année!”? Everyone seemed to have a different opinion. Sometimes I forgot that you’re supposed to wish someone a happy new year the first time you see them in the new year, even if January 1st already feels like a distant memory… oops. I miss the galette already and it’s not even January! Last year, we had an unofficial Christmas party among coworkers but the official school festivities were indeed in January.
Hi Phoebe. We spent our first 2 Christmases as expats by coming home to the US — but oh, that 3rd Christmas when we stayed “at home” in France was memorable for all the reasons your article and the comments evoke…the Christmas market (not so large in Clermont-Ferrand, but still impressive), the mulled wine and steaming churros in the bitter cold, learning what to say (and when) to our French friends… Thanks for the memory! We also found that Christmas is a season for some wonderful concerts, particularly of choral music.
Oh I like the expression “have a good slide”, after Christmas dinners (we do the 24th AND 25th) all I’m capable of is sliding into the new year (via my wedding anniversary which falls in the trêve des confiseurs)!
True, bigger French companies have the arbre de noël, I’d forgotten that as neither my husband nor I have ever worked for one that’s done that!
Surely only shops like H&M or Primark Emily? I don’t see Galeries Lafayette carrying them!
Oh yes, please let’s have that glass together in 2017!
Haha, thanks Carolyne!
It should be a Christmas to remember then Nadine as it’s your 1st here. Let’s hope it’s all positive memories!
It can be a very quiet time as it’s so family oriented. I don’t know any French who socialise outside the family over the actual Christmas days (24-25)
Ooh I haven’t seen dressed Apollo yet, I must take a look this weekend!
That sounds lovely Susan, I’m quite amazed, lucky you.
I don’t suppose many people really care, but I do have some friends who get cross with me if I wish them HNY early!
But it makes dry January extra hard!
Here in Luxembourg, the most common greeting over the “trêve des confiseurs” period 😉 is the local version of the German “Guten Rutsch!” meaning, literally, “have a good slide”. The idea is that you slide smoothly into the new year, giving yourself the best possible start. Thanks again for the fascinating #AllAboutFrance link-up!
I like the idea of having an office party in January. There are far too many celebrations here in the UK at Christmas, and sometimes it all gets a bit much! Better to spread out the festivities….
I didn’t know it was bad luck to wish people happy new year before the event! Good to know! Thank you!
We are finding our French village is slowly adopting more and more worldly Christmas tradition, this year they are hosting open houses for apéros, each participant on a different evening between now and the 22nd. On the 23rd we have apéros hosted by the Mayor in the newly refurbished halles and it has nothing to do with outsiders living in the village, we are the only non French!
I love Christmas anywhere! In France, I especially enjoy all the Christmas markets. The cities really really dress themselves up and set up ice rinks and little carnival-type rides for children. In Nice, the postboxes that go directly to Santa have appeared and the Apollo statue in Place Massena, who is usually nude, is dressed as Santa this year… I love it!
I’m so excited for Christmas this year! Sitting around and doing nothing but spending time with the family. It does get very quiet in our little village. Everyone seems to disappear to their families and we don’t see anyone until school starts again in January. We much prefer it though to Christmas in London.
Oh yes, this is my first Xmas in France and I had forgotten about their attitudes to New Years! Coming from New Zealand, everything is different about Xmas – but I’m loving wrapping up warm, drinking mulled wine and the markets. As opposed to getting ready for the summer holidays 😉
Hi Phoebe: your post should be the go-to for recent expats in France at this time of year, as the traditions are just a little different then our expectations. Happy holidays!
Well that all sounds very civilised and French. Great way to separate the religious from the secular traditions too which appeals to my atheist soul! Bonnes fêtes de fin d’année Phoebe. Looking forward to hearing all your adventures and hopefully sharing a glass of wine with you too soon
I think that some of the differences contribute to expats feeling homesick at this time of year. People get so fiercely attached to their own Christmas traditions that they find it hard to relinquish them. I struggle with mince pies and Christmas Carols but I have also adopted some French things, like the buche and the creche. That said, I have noticed a lot of Christmas jumpers in the shops this year…
Although the French businesses don’t generally have the traditional British office Christmas party, they do have the “Arbre de Noël”, in which the company’s children receive presents from Father Christmas. Associations often go for a Christmas meal in December, too. Have a lovely Christmas, Phoebe, and although we shouldn’t mention the N** Y***, have a great one anyway! #AllAboutFrance
The festive season is back and so are the holidays. I am very much excited for the holidays. Already started planning for Christmas celebration. So, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas in advance and yes, I will wait until 31st midnight to wish you Happy New Year. See ya!
Hi Robin, thanks for commenting, I really appreciate it. I’m happy to hear that you learnt a new thing! 🙂
Phoebe, what an interesting article! I had no idea that the French approached the holiday season differently either. It is great hearing about the different customs and I will definitely remember the bad luck custom and be careful not to wish our French friends happy New Year before the 1st.
Most French are surprisingly tolerant (despite their reputation) and forgiving of foreigners and their ignorance!!! Thanks for sharing this post Jacqueline.
Kids have an amazing capacity to accept things as they are don’t they, when it suits them!! My in-laws are from the east of France where they also celebrate St Nicolas at the beginning of December though it’s not as important as Christmas. Apparently it was though when my MIL was young.
Love your depth of feeling towards the ugly sweater!!! Thanks for sharing that Linda!
Thanks for popping by Julie 🙂
I agree that UK can go a bit mad and I think the whole Christmas push starts too early there but I do like lots of the British customs too. Thanks for copmmenting Gemma.
I had no idea that wishing someone a happy new year before January was considered bad luck. None of my French friends ever corrected me! I’m sending this post onto all my French teacher friends. Thank you!
Hi Phoebe, that’s really interesting – I had no idea the French celebrated the holidays this way but every country does things slightly differently of course. Over here we have an Anglo-Dutch household so we celebrate Sinterklaas as well as Christmas. The kids don’t seem remotely phased by first Sinterklaas and then Santa Claus coming down the chimney to leave them presents 3 weeks apart. 😉
I enjoyed hearing the different traditions, i.e. not displaying cards in some countries or not wishing happy new year (bad luck) until 12/31. The one I love though is the ugly sweater–where this is NOT done is where I want to be. I don’t own an ugly sweater (at least I don’t think I do) and don’t plan to either. But I’ve sure seen some out there.
Visiting from Blog Formatting. Happy Holidays to you!
How interesting it is to see different customs for the holidays! Thanks for sharing!
really interesting – I didn’t appreciate the differences, particularly the focus on January.
I think we go a bit Christmas Crackers in the UK and I’ve always like being in other places where there is less commercialism and all out xmas full on-ness.
Brilliant Lisa! I hope you post some pictures of your sweaters on your blog!!!
Thanks Susan!
Thanks for your comment Lorelle, I’ll certainly have a look at your post. I lived in Vietnam for a few years where we had great fun celebrating the lunar new year too. So many different traditions…such fun!
It must have been great in 1989 when you were allowed to openly celebrate again Delia. I remember that year well as I was living in Sofia, Bulgaria at the time that Ceausescu fell and some colleagues from Bucarest were evacuated to Sofia on Christmas day! I’ll never forget it and I’m sure you won’t.
Thanks for commenting Carol 🙂
Thanks for sharing the differences between cultures at christmas time.
Thanks for sharing – I love learning about the different traditions when I read your blog. We are celebrating Christmas today with my extended family – and you will see us all with our “Ugly Christmas Sweaters”!
Hi Phoebe – How great to learn about other cultures and festivities. Have a very merry Christmas.
Phoebe, I love learning about the differences with Christmas and New Year. We also have Chinese New Year celebrations here which are fabulous to attend.
My latest post shows a bit about Christmas here in my local area in Australia –
I love the many traditions and differences in celebrations, it makes it so great that we are unique in our own ways! I know in Romania we used to celebrate Christmas and the New Year separately, well, this after 1989, because before we were not allowed to celebrate Christmas.
Here in Canada we mostly say Happy Holidays because there are so many traditions and cultures and not everyone celebrates Christmas. Happy Holidays works for everyone 🙂
Thanks for sharing your Norwegian and Pagan customs Linda, and bonnes fêtes to you too!
Bonnes fêtes de fin d’année Phoebe 🙂 The Norwegian custom is to wish people either God Jul (which is our version of Merry Christmas) or to add on “og Godt Nyttà ¥r” (and Happy New Year). Businesses have Christmas parties in the months leading up to Christmas (because the locations are fully booked otherwise). Most people celebrate on Christmas Eve with good food and drink, and gift exchange. For most, it’s a secular family holiday. Personally, I celebrate three times (Solstice, Christmas Eve with family, and January 12th to end my holidays). It’s one of the many perks of being Pagan. New Years Eve is another feast with food and drink, plus fireworks.
That’s an interesting remark Deanna, I hadn’t heard that before. I wonder which cultures feel that way? Can anyone enlighten us?
I’m glad I stirred up happy memories for you Delmy. Thanks for commenting.
This is very interesting to me! I love to learn about different traditions in other cultures…thank you for enlightening me! When I read how it is bad luck to wish a “Happy New Year” before the new year, it reminded me that some cultures do not say, “See you later” because they feel it is bad luck since we may [i]not [/i]see them later!
I love reading about different cultures and their celebrations, especially for Christmas & New year. I enjoyed every different one while living in Brussels, Belgium. As close as they are from each other, each one is uniquely meaningful and beautiful. Your post brought great memories!
Just go for the generic “bonnes fêtes” or “joyeuses fêtes” it saves any embarrassment! :p
Sounds like a good result! The main reason I like cards before Christmas is I like using them as decorations, but honestly we get less and less each year so soon they’ll just look like a sad little display and not be worth putting up.
Thanks Phoebe, I should know these things by now, so this is a very good lesson to learn. I’ll stop wishing everyone a happy New Year tout de suite!
Thanks Rosemary! You’re right about the spouses not being included, it is certainly very rare. I love it that those of us living in France have assimilated certain customs into our lives…the ones that suit; the ones that make life easier!!
A couple of years ago we sent our cards in the New Year as we ran out of time before Christmas – we added a short letter and found we got far more replies than previous years. With the Christmas rush left behind them people actually had the time to read what we had written and reply … and bearing in mind we have not sent our cards yet for this year I do see a repetition of this occurring!
I have introduced the New Year tradition of being able to send cards right up to 31st January to my Australian friends. I never seem to get my act together soon enough to have cards arrive in time, though I make a special effort with presents for my immediate family. I tend to forget the cards though, which you have made me realise the importance of. Oh well, maybe next year!
When office parties exist in the New Year in France, they virtually never include spouses. That is true of work celebrations in general. I find it very odd.
Great post to include in next week’s blogger round-up!
Thanks Rosie, same to you too! I’m not sure I actually prefer the French way but I love combining the 2 and getting the best of both worlds. Doing cards for new year certainly takes the pressure off the build-up to Christmas.
Hello Viking! Thanks for telling us about Sweden, interesting to hear that you also use the “end of year” thing. I agree that differences make the world a better place. 🙂
Yes that’s another thing, thanks for pointing it out. Decorations can stay up throughout January in public places though it’s pretty rare in private homes.
I love discovering littles differences like these; it makes the world a more interesting place. Thanks for your input Jennifer.
I do think I prefer the French way of doing things and I think I have finally (after 6 years) remembered how to say “bonnes fêtes de fin d’année” ! It also means I don’t feel guilty about not having sent my Christmas cards …. I’ll just explain that we have gone French 😉
“Bonnes fêtes de fin d’année, Phoebe and wishing you all the best for 2014.
Isn’t it great that we have different traditions and ways of celebrating, it makes for a much more interesting world. We have a similar way of greeting in Sweden, where some say “God Jul och Gott Slut” (Happy Christmas and a Happy finish (of the year)). A lot of people then add “Gott Nytt à …r” (Happy New Year) to complete the string of good wishes 🙂
A very interesting read. We’ve sometimes been in Burgundy in January and are always amazed to see Christmas lights up long after they would have been taken down in the UK.
How interesting! I had no idea the French approached the holiday quite differently from us 🙂