French traditions for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
Can you believe we are nearly into 2025 already? I’ve always heard that time flies when you’re having fun, so I must be having a blast, haha! As with everyday, I try to frenchify my life any chance I get. New Year’s is a fun way to incorporate some French traditions.
I’ll share some of the traditions that I know and love and hopefully it will inspire you to add some of them to your celebration and traditions as well.
Le Réveillon
Not shocking at all, but the French love to celebrate ringing in a new year with their favorite, luxury foods during “Le Réveillon.” This name comes from the French word, “le réveil” which translates to “the awakening.” Le Réveillon is a feast lasting until after midnight. Some traditional foods included in Le Réveillon may include:
- Les Huitres (Oysters) – These are served raw on a bed of ice with a squeeze of lemon or other simple dressings to accentuate their flavor. Oysters universally symbolize abundance and celebration and are often included in many French festive occasions.
- Foie Gras (duck or goose liver) – Velvety smooth, foie gras is a very popular delicacy in French cuisine. It is often served in the form of terrines, pâtés, or slices and accompanied with toasted brioche, baguette slices or crackers. This is one of my favorite treats to enjoy while in France as it isn’t easy to find where I live.
- Fromages (Cheeses) – Not that it isn’t obvious, but a meal (in France) isn’t a meal without cheese, right? Charcuterie boards are a given and often display a variety of cheeses from Brie to Roquefort and anything in between. Assorted fresh and dried fruits, jams, chutneys, nuts and meats are important necessities of the charcuteries as well. Cheese may also be a part of Le Réveillon in the form of a pastry, most notably known as “gougères.”
- Les Poissons (Fish) – French celebrations often include seafood such as lobster, shrimp, caviar, smoked salmon, etcetera. With France having such a vast coastline, seafood is fresh and exquisite and often enjoyed during special dinners.
- Bûche de Noël (Yule Log) – Although some may associate the Bûche de Noël with Christmas, the French view it as a winter dessert. It is made in the shape of a log and often dusted with powdered sugar to resemble snow as well as other decorations made of meringue in the shape of mushrooms, berries, etc. Anything resembling what one may see in nature next to a fallen log.
- La Galette des Rois (King’s cake) – Some kick off the new year with this festive treat that often contains a hidden trinket known as a “fève.” Whoever finds the “fève” is to be crowned King or Queen for the day. This cake can be served any time in January, but often on January 6th during the mark of Epiphany.
- Champagne – How can there be a New Year’s celebration without a toast of champagne? Champagne is associated with celebrations, excitement, joy and prosperity. The clinking of glasses, locked eyes, a smile, and a “Santé” (or Cheers) are exchanged when toasting one another.
Just for fun, I’ll share our NYE dinner menu…
- Apéritif
- Foie gras from www.dufourgourmet.com
- French baguette
- Tarte flambée
- Filet mignon au poivre
- Pommes de Terre Dauphinoise
- Roasted asparagus with Hollandaise sauce
- Assorted fromages
- Mousse au chocolat
- Champagne
Kissing Under The Mistletoe
Although many Americans associate mistletoe with Christmas, the French bring out the mistletoe on New Year’s Eve. Mistletoe is often part of the festive decorations and when the clock strikes midnight, couples kiss “sous le gui” (under the mistletoe). Wishes for hope and happiness in the year ahead are also exchanged between family and friends at the stroke of midnight. Starting the year on a positive note such as this sets the tone for a prosperous and hopeful future.
New Year’s Greeting Cards
I am accustomed to greeting cards being sent for Christmas and New Year’s combined, and sending them prior to Christmas. The French, however, typically send greeting cards for New Year’s in the month of January to wish the receiver(s) good fortune, health and joy in the new year.
Presidential Greetings
Although not something that we can adopt to frenchify our New Year, but each New Year’s Eve, the President of France addresses the French people reflecting on the last year and the hopes for the coming year. This speech has been televised each year from the Elysée Palace since 1960 when, then president Charles de Gaulle, commenced this tradition.
New Year’s Resolutions
Like many other cultures, the beginning of a new year signifies a time to re-start, re-charge and re-energize. Making resolutions and setting goals are synonymous with starting anew, so many ponder their resolutions in hopes to make their lives better.
Do you have any resolutions for 2025? I’d love to hear them in the Comments below.
Allons faire un tour…
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