Christmas in France: Key Phrases to Chat 🎄

Imagine walking through a French Christmas market, smelling mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, twinkling lights everywhere…

You want to join the conversation, but don’t know what to say.

Don’t worry!

Here are the essential phrases and words French people use every year.

The Key Word: Réveillon

Réveillon = Christmas Eve (Dec 24) or New Year’s Eve (Dec 31)

Typical questions:

“Vous fêtez le réveillon où ?” → fêter (to celebrate)

“Vous accueillez la famille ?” → accueillir (to host)

“Vous fêtez Noël le 24 ou le 25 ?” → fêter

“Vous me conseillez quoi ?” → What do you recommend?

“Les enfants déballent les cadeaux quel jour ?” → When do the kids open their presents?

“Vous avez fait vos achats de Noël ?” → Have you done your Christmas shopping?

“Vous voulez un paquet cadeau ?” → Do you want a gift wrapped?

“Vous cuisinez pour Noël ?” → Are you cooking for Christmas?

“Vos enfants croient au Père Noël ?” → Do your kids believe in Santa?

French has a simple trick: use préparer for almost everything !

Je prépare la bûche → I’m preparing the Yule log

Je prépare la maison pour la famille → I’m preparing the house

Je prépare le sapin → I’m preparing / putting up the Christmas tree

Je prépare le repas → I’m preparing the meal

Je prépare les cadeaux → I’m preparing the presents

With this one verb, you can talk about all your Christmas activities easily.

This year, don’t just watch Christmas conversations happen!

Use these phrases, ask questions, share your traditions, and dare to chat like a true French speaker 🎄

And if you want, we can meet for a coffee afterward to see how I can help you boost your French after Christmas.

Passe de bonnes fêtes, ❄️🌟🎁

Faustine