Creme de Citron Blog

Joyeux Noël! Christmas in France

20/12/2012

I have had a busy few weeks telling you about the way Christmas was spent in a few different countries, mostly regarding the food. Not in a purely traditional way but as it is experienced by some families: Faela (Ireland), Sanna (Finland), Lauren-Anne (Australia), Jenn (USA) and Camila (Brazil).

Now, it is time for me to tell you how Christmas is spent with my family back in France.
Despite the fact I have only spent Christmas twice in France over the past eight years, I have vivid memories of the delicious food we eat for this event.
You might want to get something to eat while reading this or be prepared for some serious stomach grumbling.

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Feliz Natal! Christmas in Brazil

16/12/2012

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Eight days until Christmas today! And also the fifth Christmas in the Six Christmases project (explained here). It is cold outside and also quite a bit rainy, but here is a lot of virtual sun for you all: it is Christmas in Brazil!

I recently got in touch with Camila, my cousin's wife. She is from Brazil, and in particular from the amazing region of Pantanal, and moved to Paris in France a few years ago. Beside her job there, she also bakes and sell some amazing cakes, you can see them here on her website: Bolos Decorados e Cia.
So I asked Camila about the way she spends Christmas in Brazil with her family, regarding the food mainly.

On Christmas Eve, all the family stays together at the grandmother's house and each person brings a different food item: it can be turkey, fruits, desserts, cakes, etc.
Then, the family eats appetizers for a long time: Italian cheeses, salted pistachios, pates, nuts, dried fruits, etc. And they drink wine and soft drinks.
When it is almost midnight, they pray to thank the year they lived and the fact that they are all together.
Following the prayer, they start having the Christmas dinner.
At midnight, they celebrate by embracing each other and wishing 'Feliz natal' to all (Merry Christmas in Portuguese).
They continue eating and open their gifts. The presents have been left under the Christmas tree upon arrival but for the kids, Santa rings the doorbell and leaves them at the door.

Now let's talk about what the dinner consists of.

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Christmas in the USA

9/12/2012

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Today, let me tell you about the fourth Christmas as part of the Six Christmases project (explained here). This time, it is Christmas in the USA seen from the point of view of my American friend Jenn.
Jenn is from Philadelphia but has been living in Ireland for the past ten years. She also has a food blog called Diary Of A Cookbook Addict. You might see her around on my photography website along with her husband and cute little boy as I had the chance to do a lovely family portrait session for them a little while ago.
Even though Jenn is mostly spending Christmas in Ireland nowadays, she still has beautiful stories about what her and her family would do back home in the USA.

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Joyeux Noël! Christmas in France

Feliz Natal! Christmas in Brazil

Christmas in the USA

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