Christmas in the United States vs. Christmas in France: what are the differences? 

At the end of each year, the much awaited Christmas party remains a special moment for children and adults alike. It is indeed the moment to spend pleasant moments of communion and sharing in family. The celebration and the different traditions around this holiday vary, however, depending on the region and the country.

Whether in Europe or in America, there are similarities, but also differences between Christmas in the United States and Christmas in France. These points of divergence are remarkable as well at the level of the personal decorations in the houses as at the level of the illuminations in these two countries or of the atmosphere before the D-day.

Christmas decorations at home

The first point that makes the difference between Christmas in the United States and Christmas in France The most important category is undoubtedly that of decoration.

Most French people opt for a simple and sober decoration. There are those who choose not to make any interior decoration and who are content with putting a wreath symbolizing Christmas on their front doors. Other French people prefer to buy small trees, not always authentic, accompanied of course by tree bags, which they decorate in a classic way and without extravagance and which is placed in a corner of the living room.

The last category concerns the French who give some importance to the interior decoration of their building according to the theme of the Christmas party and who decorate it with large and real trees decorated with all kinds of garlands and other glittering balls.

The Americans are known to do everything with a certain excess. Indeed, inside the American house, we take care of’absolutely decorate everything. From the living room, through the kitchen or even the dining room’At the entrance of the rooms, the gigantic Christmas trees, the Christmas ornaments, the stars and electric garlands are hung almost everywhere. L’In France, Christmas has become a commercial holiday celebrated by almost all families, regardless of their religion; the exterior of houses is also decorated with luminous snowmen and all sorts of decorations in keeping with Christmas. There are even contests between neighbors to choose the prettiest and best decorated Christmas house.

It may seem exuberant and whimsical, but celebrating a Christmas in the United States has a special importance with a certain connotation’American is practically a way of life.

The illuminations in the cities

The outdoor illuminations are also a point of interest The difference between Christmas in the United States and Christmas in France.

Indeed, in France, the majority of cities light up from December to immerse you in the Christmas atmosphere. The importance or not of decorating cities for Christmas is evaluated by municipalities. The Champs-Élysées, the windows of the capital's department stores as well as the regions of Alsace and Lorraine are the most illuminated places in France during the Christmas period.

In the United States, on the other hand, the illuminations in the cities are almost a matter of state. Indeed, just after the end of November and the celebration of the famous Thanksgiving holiday, all parties are busy making the cities and neighborhoods into heavenly and magical places.

L’tree lighting

In France or in the United States, the Christmas tree is not the only one’is not as important. In fact, the French decorate and light their tree in a dark way with just a few electric garlands. In the United States, however, the’Christmas tree lighting is an art.

The trees in the’are huge and present everywhere.

They are decorated with the greatest attention in family. All the decorative accessories are hung there to make it as majestic as possible. There is even, in New York City, in Rockfeller center, a gigantic and imposing tree that is decorated with a Christmas tree’illuminates beautifully and overlooks the city.

This is another point of difference between Christmas in the United States and Christmas in France.

Shopping centers and their windows

L’The illumination of the cities during Christmas is also highlighted by the windows of department stores and shopping malls.

In the United States, most shopping malls put on their most beautiful Christmas decorations at the end of November. To the’indoor as well as outdoor’outside, everything is lit and decorated with excess to immerse the customer or passerby in the fervor of the holiday.

In this respect, the French are not equally on the leash. The stores and shopping malls take out the big game and compete of’It is a time for families to get together and share decorating tips and ideas’illuminations during the holiday season. In Paris, for example, the stores in the district of’Opera where you can see the windows of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps are the most illuminated.

L’Christmas atmosphere before the big day

The main difference between Christmas in France and Christmas in the United States lies in the’religious importance of the festival.

In France, Christmas has become a commercial holiday celebrated by almost all families, regardless of their religion’The most important thing is the presence of a sign’Children in the family. Before the big day, there is still a certain amount of excitement in the streets, toy stores and shopping centers.

In the U.S., it is’is a celebration of Christmas’It may seem exuberant and whimsical, but celebrating Christmas has a special importance with a certain connotation and religious tradition. C’Christmas is a holiday that allows families to get together and share ideas and tips on decorating and decorating’pleasant moments. During the whole month of Christmas, we feel the Christmas spirit’The festive atmosphere is absolutely everywhere, whether it is in the greeting cards, the Christmas music in the shopping malls or the sweaters specially designed for Christmas’In the United States, however, the occasion.

The Christmas meal

Most French Christmas meals are held on Christmas Eve or December 25 at noon. On the menu, the gastronomic specialists of France are obviously present with a little festive touch and sometimes the 13 desserts to remind Jesus and his 12 apostles.

In the United States, the typical Christmas meal is a special moment that does not require a lot of time’The Christmas turkey is not exempt from the’extravagance and excess. According to the different states, the dishes are varied and composed of the specialties of the regions as well as cookies swap which constitute the very emblem of Christmas. All this s’This, of course, adds to the famous turkey that is so popular in the United States’on all the tables for Christmas.

It is undoubtedly a big difference between Christmas in the United States and Christmas in France.

The Christmas turkey

Among the Christmas traditions in the United States is, of course, the turkey. C’is the dish par excellence if you want to celebrate Christmas the American way. It is also found on the tables, in France, during Christmas meals.

The way of stuffing the turkey can, however, be different from the traditional way of stuffing’one region to another.

In short, the celebration of Christmas is global. There are, however, differences in the preparation and celebration whether you celebrate it in the United States or in France.