Christmas Decorations

Christmas decorations are important in France since December is the middle of Winter, when the only trees that bear leaves are the evergreens, and few flowers are in blossom because of the cold.

Decorations are used everywhere, in the streets, in homes, in shop windows, in school... they bring colour and cheerfulness to the cold, and often grey Winter environment. This page is about some of the traditional items used as decorations.

Street decorations in France are on another page.

Le sapin de Noël - Christmas Tree

In France, one of the most important decorations at Christmas time is the Sapin de Noël (Christmas tree). It is used in homes, streets, shops, offices, and factories.

The idea of the Christmas came from Alsace in the 14th century. In those days, people decorated Christmas trees with apples, paper flowers, and ribbons. Alsace was then part of the German empire, but now it is a province in France.

The Sapin de Noël was introduced to France by a German Princess called Hélène de Mecklembourg. She brought one to Paris after her marriage to the French heir to the throne, the Duke of Orléans. The Christmas tree symbolizes what creation has to offer: light and the movement of angels, the gifts of the orchards and fields, forests and sea, all topped off by the star that points to Heaven.

La couronne de bienvenue -
The Christmas Wreath

The wreath is hung on the door to say to neighbours, family and friends "soyez la bienvenue chez nous" (Welcome to our house). Originally, this was an anglo-saxon tradition which was later adopted by the Drench.

The wreath is round shaped, like the sun to represent the sun hanging at the door.

In the past, the Christmas wreath had four candles which represented the four weeks before Christmas, called Advent. Each Sunday, one of the candles was lit as a count down to the special day, in preparation for the birth of Christ.

The crown is often decorated with holly, the spiky leaves representing the Passion of Christ, and the red berries the blood of Christ.

Le houx - Holly
La Lierre - Ivy

These both bear leaves and, in the case of holly, glowing red berries during the Winter. They are easy to find in the countryside, and often grow in peoples' back yards. When picked and taken inside the house, they remain fresh looking for some time, so they have become part of the set of decorations that are used over the Christmas season.

Tradition says that holly owes its importance to the services it gave to the Holy Family. In order to escape from King Herod's massacre of the Infants, mary and Joseph left for Egypt with the baby Jesus

Holly - le houx

Ivy - la lierre

Miracles helped them on their way: escorted by lions, wolves and leopards, the blessed Family traveled in safety. The palm trees offered their fruit as food. When Herod's soldiers approached, the holly tree stretched out its branches to hide Mary, Joseph and the Holy Child. To thank the holly tree, Mary declared that it would remain evergreen, as a symbol of immortality.

Tradition also says that in order to have a prosperous year, you have to decorate the house with holly at Christmas!

Le gui :  Mistletoe

Mistletoe is a traditional plant of the season. It is a parasite that grows in tree branches, so its green leaves and white berries are easy to spot when the trees have no leaves in Winter, as the photo shows!

This plant has a long history. For the ancient Celtic Druids, it was considered sacred because of its miraculous properties - in healing, protection against all sorts of evils, and witchcraft.

Le Calendrier de l'Avent
The Advent Calendar.

Advent is the period of four weeks preparation leading up to the birth of Christ. The Advent Calendar is a tradition where you can count down the days before the great feast of Christmas. Behind each window or door, there are pictures or little chocolates or lollies.