Learn French words and expressions
about the festive season!
The festive season is fast approaching: Christmas and New Year’s Eve are just around the corner!
The French have a real talent for using expressions in their day-to-day exchanges, and this is intensified during this special period. For them, these celebrations are a magical time, marked by deep-rooted traditions, a convivial atmosphere and warm moments with family and friends.
Whether it’s Christmas or New Year’s Eve, the vocabulary associated with these festivities is particularly rich and poetic. In this article, I’ll take you on a ride on our sleigh to discover the expressions you need to know for the festive season in French.
A few words about Christmas in France
In France, Christmas is above all a family holiday celebrated on December 24 and 25. On Christmas Eve, families gather around a large festive meal to share traditional dishes such as turkey with chestnuts, foie gras, and the famous dessert, the Yule log. Homes are decorated with a Christmas tree adorned with garlands of lights and baubles. Catholic homes often feature a nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus.
Christmas markets, particularly those in Strasbourg and Colmar, attract millions of visitors every year. They feature handicrafts, decorations and culinary specialties.
A few words about New Year’s Eve in France
The New Year, or New Year’s Eve, is celebrated in a more festive atmosphere and with friends. New Year’s Eve, on December 31, is often marked by lavish dinners, dancing and fireworks displays in some cities. At midnight, the French exchange kisses and hugs to wish each other a Happy New Year, and wish their loved ones happiness, health and success. Champagne is often on hand to mark the occasion.
The first few days of January are devoted to New Year’s greetings, when cards and messages are sent to wish everyone a happy new year. The galette des rois, eaten on January 6, extends the festive spirit with a bean hidden inside.
Proverbs and expressions about Christmas!
- “Noël au balcon, Pâques au tison” – This proverb reflects popular French wisdom. It means that if Christmas is so mild that it can almost be celebrated outside (on the balcony), then spring is likely to be cold, still requiring a fire (with a firebrand).
- “Croire au Père Noël” – This expression goes beyond its literal meaning. It’s used to describe someone who is naive, who believes in things that are unlikely or too good to be true, just as a child believes in the existence of Santa Claus.
- “Tirer les marrons du feu” –It means accomplishing a difficult or risky task, often for the benefit of another, as in La Fontaine’s famous fable.
- “Être le dindon de la farce” –A humorous and tasty expression, it describes a person who is deceived or mocked, just as the turkey is at the center of the meal, but not for the right reasons.
- “Se prendre une châtaigne” – In winter, this expression is often used. It means to receive a shock, a jostle or a blow (sometimes electrical).
New Year’s proverbs and expressions
- “Tourner la page” –This means leaving behind the events and worries of the previous year to start a new year with optimism.
- “Prendre de bonnes résolutions” –An expression used to describe the commitments we make at the start of the year, such as quitting smoking or taking up sport.
- “Trinquer à la nouvelle année” –Raising a glass at midnight is a time-honored tradition. This expression evokes the moment when we celebrate the arrival of the new year by raising a toast.
- “Compter les douze coups de minuit” –This expression is linked to the transition to the new year, when each bell rings to mark the beginning of January.
Winter and festive expressions to use all season long
- “Faire un froid de canard” – A typical expression to say that it’s freezing cold.
- “Être blanc comme neige” – It means to be innocent, blameless, like freshly fallen snow.
- “Mettre les petits plats dans les grands” – Means preparing a meal or a party with great care and effort to impress your guests.
- “Avoir des étoiles dans les yeux” – Describes the intense wonder or joy often visible on a child’s face during Christmas.
- “Être givré” – Figuratively speaking, it means to be a little crazy or eccentric, but in the context of the holidays, it can be reminiscent of winter magic.
As we wrap up our festive journey through French words and expressions, it’s clear how deeply language reflects the magic and traditions of this special time of year. From family gatherings at Christmas to the joyful celebrations of New Year’s Eve, the vocabulary and expressions associated with these holidays capture the warmth, wonder, and conviviality that define the season.
Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in French culture or simply add a touch of festive flair to your language skills, these expressions are sure to bring your conversations to life. So, as the French would say, “Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année !”—May your holiday season be filled with happiness, laughter, and plenty of linguistic discoveries!