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Thanksgiving Day and Feeling Grateful

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

As my American friends are celebrating their Thanksgiving, I am celebrating my life and all that I feel grateful for too. Who says we cannot adopt a different country's celebration and tweak it for ourselves?!

Thanksgiving is not originally an Australian or French tradition but it is growing in popularity because being grateful is always in style and worth celebrating. American Thanksgiving is celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of November.

The Pumpkin and Thanksgiving

If Thanksgiving is not one of your traditions maybe you don't know why the pumpkin is associated with the day? Northeastern Native American tribes grew squash and pumpkins and gave them as gifts to the first settlers and taught them all the different uses for pumpkins.

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Advent in France

Advent in France - Advent calendar

What is Advent and How is it Celebrated in France?

As I've grown older, traditions have become more important to me including those surrounding Christmas. As a child, Christmas traditions were not really observed by my parents. But as a parent myself, I've loved adopting some traditional Christmas practices and decorating our home with pretty twinkling lights and, of course, a beautiful tree.  

One of the more recent traditions I've embraced is celebrating Advent. This post will cover what Advent is, how it is celebrated in France and gift Advent calendars. I also share ideas on how to make your own calendar. In next week's post we will share everything you need to know about Advent Wreaths, what they are and how to make your own beautiful Advent wreath.

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French Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

Advent is derived from the Latin word for "coming" adventus, and is celebrated in the Christian church calendar. It celebrates the period of preparation for the birth of Jesus. 

Advent begins on the Sunday nearest to November 30, which is St Andrew's Day, and is the beginning of the liturgical year. However, counting down the days on an Advent calendar ignores the St Andrew tradition and rather than counting down from the nearest Sunday to November 30, the calendars start on 1 December and counts down to Christmas Day. 

It's a tradition now that each year I share our own advent calendar on social channels including Facebook and Instagram. Our calendar has stunning Christmassy photos from across France and in case you've missed them or want to see them again - here's the photos in all their twinkling, decorative colour. 

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Armistice Day in France

Armistice Day in France

Armistice Day in France

Armistice Day in France is a public holiday and day of remembrance commemorating the end of World War I. Known as L’armistice de la Première Guerre Mondiale in France, it occurs on 11 November annually.

I've written about other public holidays and national days of celebration in France, and the Remembrance poppy on Remembrance Day but not about Armistice Day in detail. Armistice Day is very important in France and our village and others all around us solemnly celebrate it. Here's more on what's Armistice Day, when is Armistice Day celebrated and what happens in France on Armistice Day. 

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Remembrance Day or Armistice Day in France

Armistice Day

Remembrance Day is a traditional memorial day which evolved out of Armistice Day and is also known as Veterans Day in the US or Poppy Day. It's an annual observance day on the 11th day of November.

Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, Veterans Day or Poppy Day?

It can be a bit confusing with the four different names but the explanation of the four names is simple enough. It is a day of honouring the war dead following the Armistice at the end of World War I. The day was initially called Armistice because the armistice was signed by the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne to end the hostilities "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month".  The naming of the day was changed from Armistice Day by many countries during the Second World War to Remembrance Day (in commonwealth countries) and to Veterans Day in the US.

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Father’s Day In France

Father at Musee Rodin, Paris

Father’s Day In France is called Fête des Pères

Father’s Day in France is celebrated on the third Sunday in June.  This day of celebration honours the role fathers, and father figures play in raising children and what a fabulous photo above of a father and his children enjoying a day out.  I took this photo only weeks ago in the sculpture garden of Musée Rodin, Paris.

This dad had pencils and paper ready for his children to draw the sculptures and colour pictures of the artwork around the museum. What a champion dad!!

French History of Father’s Day

St Joseph’s Day is said to be the origin of the modern Father’s Day, celebrated on March 19, this day of Saint Joseph, the foster father of Jesus was more a religious celebration.  In 1952 an offical degree was made to recognise fathers and Father’s Day is now celebrated on the third Sunday of June each year in France.

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La Chandeleur or Candlemas: A French Tradition

La Chandeleur or Candlemas is celebrated in France

La Chandeleur is also known as Candlemas and the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus and the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is a French tradition.  It commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the temple.

In France this commemoration is linked to eating crêpes or pancakes and is called Pancake Day.  It is celebrated on the 2nd of February and there are a couple of rather strange rituals that surround the way you cook your crêpes.

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French Christmas Traditions

Christmas carol singers at Notre Dame, Paris, France

France is a country rich with traditions and cultural customs. Christmas in France, called Noël, is no exception, boasting many age-old traditions. Some French Christmas traditions are even on the weird, but good, side of life.

French Christmas Traditions

If you’re in France in December then understanding a few traditions will help you plan your holiday. Or, if you are living an expat life like us, then knowing the cultural customs of Christmas in France helps you fit into local life. We've compiled some Christmas Traditions for you below. 

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