2. Portuguese In Portuguese, "Feliz Natal!" is how you say "Merry Christmas." In Portugal, Christmas Eve is generally when most of the festivities happen, rather than on Christmas Day itself.

But it is the centrality of Christmas Eve itself—and the age-specific pleasures it promises—that I’ve come to appreciate as the main distinction between the French and American traditions.

9. Everyone Attends Midnight Mass sakchai vongsasiripat /Getty Images Much like the Christmas feast, French church services are packed on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day.

Annual event showcasing French Christmas traditions takes place on Sunday, Dec. 3 at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park’s Visitor Center in Monroe.

The French take culinary traditions very seriously, and Christmas is no exception. The main meal is typically enjoyed on Christmas Eve, and it's an all-out culinary affair.

Melinda French Gates Makes Christmas Ornaments with Daughter Jennifer — and Shares Her 'Greatest Joy of 2023' Anna Lazarus Caplan Fri, December 8, 2023 at 7:51 PM UTC ...

'The 12 Days of Christmas' What we think of now as a Christmas song was originally an old poem recited by French children in the 1700s. In 1780, an English version was published in a children’s ...

Best Christmas Market Cruise For Francophiles: CroisiEurope, M.S. Rhone Princess CroisiEurope offers guests a menu curated by French chefs, free Wi-Fi, a lounge and a daily shore excursion included.

Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia. Courtesy of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Christmas in the Colony At Colonial Williamsburg—the country’s largest outdoor living-history ...

Replacing a stark white French tip with a Christmas-inspired red polish color is an easy way to create an eye-catching manicure for the holiday. Add in classic pearls for an extra bit of luxury.

From homes and food to fashion and baby names, the French have a way of doing things that is undeniably cool. Even their holiday customs have a certain je ne sais quoi that we’re keen to emulate st.

Melinda French Gates and Jennifer Gates shared a sweet video of themselves getting ready for Christmas, which will be Jennifer's first as a mom. Skip to content PEOPLE ...