Christmas offers many traditions in France.
After midnight mass in Provence, the family gathers around the table to have a light meal of the, “13 desserts,” to represent the 12 apostles and Jesus. The desserts are:
Almonds for the carmelites with bare-feet.
Figs for the Franciscans.
Raisins for the Dominicans.
Walnuts for the Augustines.
Apples
Pears
Clementines
Dried apricots
Black nougat
White nougat
Dates
Pate of quince
Before retiring to bed, the children put their *sabots before the fireplace or around the Sapin de Noel (Christmas tree,) in hope that Pere Noel, will come to fill them with many little sweets.
Though now it seems, instead of a real wooden sabot, most people go to the pastry shop, and buy a “chocolate” wooden shoe, that is pre-filled with sweets.
As the Children’s Christmas song says:
Petit Papa Noel
Quand tu descendras du ciel
Avec des jouets par milliers
N’oublie pas mon petit soulier!
Raymond Vincy 1946
*A Peasant’s wooden shoe, called sabot were used, now any shoe will do!
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