Reasons why I enjoy French Christmas

1. The Santa Clauses hanging from people's balcony makes it look like there's a band of red and white cat burglars throughout the city.
2. The Holidays lights - which are never taken down - are finally lit. They say such happy things like "Bienvenue rue des Postes" and "rue Gambetta".
3. On the Friday before Christmas, shops close at 7pm but are exceptionally open on the Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
4. Candied chestnuts. The most divine candied creation that ever existed is only available in December and January. The bakery sells bags of brisures (broken bits) for cheap.
5. Trees! I know last year I talked about how Christmas used to make me feel uncomfortable but this year, we actually have a tree in our house which also serves as Hanukkah bush. It's really very pretty and smells nice.
6. Liebkeuchen - German ginger bread cookies coated in chocolate and sometimes stuffed with apricot jam. They are common in Alsace and at LIDL, the cheap German supermarket.
7. Not having to worry about political correctness to ruin the cheer. Everyone's happy. Everyone gives gifts. Everyone's on vacation. And there's a huge, very tacky ferris wheel in the middle of the main square.