Celebrating New Years Eve in France

In France, the New Years celebration begins on the evening of December 31 (le rà ©veillon du jour de l’an) and carries through January 1 (le jour de l’an). Traditionally, its a time for people to gather with  family, friends, and community. New Year’s Eve is also known as La Saint-Sylvestre because December 31 is the feast day of Saint Sylvestre. France is predominantly Catholic, and as in most Catholic or Orthodox countries, specific days of the year are designated to celebrate specific saints and are known as feast days. Individuals who share a saints name often celebrate their namesakes feast day like a second birthday. (Another noted French feast day is La Saint-Camille, shorthand for la fà ªte de Saint-Camille.  Its celebrated on July 14, which is also Bastille  Day.) French New Years Eve Traditions There arent too many traditions specific to New Years Eve in France however, one of the most important ones is kissing under the mistletoe (le gui) and counting down to midnight. While theres no equivalent to the ball dropping in Times Square, in larger cities, there may be fireworks or a parade and theres usually a big variety show on television featuring France’s most famous entertainers. New Years Eve is most often spent with friends—and there may be dancing involved. (The French like to dance!) Many towns and communities also organize a ball which is often a dressy or costumed affair. At the stroke of midnight, participants kiss one another on the cheek two  or four times  (unless they are romantically involved). People may also throw des cotillons (confetti and streamers), blow into  un serpentin (a streamer attached to a whistle), shout, applaud, and generally make a lot of noise. And of course, the French make les rà ©solutions du nouvel an (New Years resolutions). Your list will, undoubtedly, include  improving your French, or perhaps maybe even scheduling a trip to France—et pourquoi pas? French New Years Meal Theres no single food tradition for the French New Years celebration. People may choose to serve anything from a formal meal to something buffet style for a party—but no matter whats being served, its sure to be a feast. Champagne is a must, as are good wine, oysters, cheese, and other gourmet delicacies. Just be careful not to drink too much or you may end up with a serious gueule de bois (hangover). Typical New Years Gifts in France In France, people dont generally exchange gifts for the New Year, although some do. However, its traditional to give monetary gifts to postal workers, deliverymen, the police, household employees, and other service workers around Christmas and the New Year. These gratuities are called les à ©trennes, and how much you give varies greatly depending on your generosity, the level of service you got, and your budget. French New Years Vocabulary Its still customary to send out New Years greetings. Typical ones would be: Bonne annà ©e et bonne santà © (Happy New Year and good health)Je vous souhaite une excellente nouvelle annà ©e, pleine de bonheur et de succà ¨s. (I wish you an excellent New Year, full of happiness and success.) Other phrases youre likely to hear during New Years celebrations: Le Jour de lAn—New Years DayLa Saint-Sylvestre—New Years Eve (and the feast day of Saint Sylvester)Une bonne rà ©solution—New Years resolutionLe repas du Nouvel An—New Years mealLe gui (pronounced with a hard G ee)—mistletoeDes confettis—confettiLe cotillon—a ballLes cotillons—party novelties such as confetti and streamersUn serpentin—a streamer attached to a whistleGueule de bois—hangoverLes  Ãƒ ©trennes—Christmas/New Years Day present or gratuityEt pourquoi pas?—And why not?