How the French do things at Christmas.

France is famous the world over for its attention to mealtime detail. None more so than the Christmas Eve celebration of “Le Réveillon de Noël”. Whilst we celebrate things on the same day, we don’t always celebrate in the same way. Here are a few differences I have noticed, from a design point of view, and ways I have adopted to re-create the French tablescape at your home.

What I have observed and what struck me most, is how the table feels alive rather than styled. We’ve replaced the traditional red and green for the lovely soft muted tones of nature. Linens in shades of soft ivory, muted sages of mistletoe, deeper green hues from branches of foraged pines and touches of gold and crystal to set an elegant tone. Beeswax candles, flickering against vintage glassware are all a part of the joy and cast that holiday glow. Simplicity wins here, but it all comes together with elegance, designed for that long meal that can go on well after midnight. Comfy chairs are a must!

French design looks effortless, so it’s no wonder that it boggled the mind when I first arrived. Effortless, doesn’t mean that there’s no attention to detail, in fact, quite the opposite. Fewer decorations, better materials and space for the food and conversation to take center stage, not the decorations.

After the meal is over, the kids leave their shoes out. The tradition dates back well before Père Nöel existed. Before, he was Saint Nicholas and there was no such things as stockings. Shoes were practical containers to be filled with fruits, small toys and treats. Personally, I’ll be leaving my wellies out, not my gym shoes… not sure I want anything edible going in those…But the tradition stuck and so this year shoes it is…

Père Nöel comes bearing gifts with a donkey, instead of reindeer, so instead of leaving cookies children leave carrots. I think our members have some seriously good carrot Karma already with the donkeys of Hee Haws. Sugar cubes and apples are always welcome as well. Small gestures of kindness for the loyal, big-eared bundles of love that deliver your presents each year.

No table would not be complete without a Buche de Noel, which is now known as the Yule log. Back in the day, this log was carefully selected and burned as a symbol of good fortune, protection and warmth in the winter months. When hearths were not in every home and the ritual shifted, it became a cake, a sweet symbol of light in a dark season.