tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post472453846332527927..comments2023-10-24T12:39:03.746+02:00Comments on Uh Oh Spaghettios: Something PC about ChristmasRebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768568719894187436noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-45412416182725094372008-01-11T07:10:00.000+01:002008-01-11T07:10:00.000+01:00When I lived in Alsace, I absolutely loved the "ma...When I lived in Alsace, I absolutely loved the "marche de Noel" in the town center--all these stands selling crafts, gingerbread, mulled wine, everything lit up in the darkness and the chill. That was my favorite part of Christmas in France--and now that I think about it, almost completely secular (even though these Christmas markets tend to be located in front of the biggest church in town).Sarah @ Baby Bilingualhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13907207816628137938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-29694920142834022192007-12-24T16:50:00.000+01:002007-12-24T16:50:00.000+01:00Thanks for all your comments everyone. And Happy H...Thanks for all your comments everyone. And Happy Holidays!Rebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15768568719894187436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-71414420860444799612007-12-23T18:05:00.000+01:002007-12-23T18:05:00.000+01:00Very well put. A lovely post. Thanks!Very well put. A lovely post. Thanks!Elisabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06397908781677596824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-28073942324026831092007-12-21T15:00:00.000+01:002007-12-21T15:00:00.000+01:00Yes, I like the fact that "Christmas" here is more...Yes, I like the fact that "Christmas" here is more of a family celebration as well, but I must admit that the old-fashioned part of me does miss the carols and the stuff we used to do in my family growing up. But I did come from a Christian background, so it's something I was used to. I do like that in general here people simply wish you "bonnes fêtes de fin d'année" and don't necessarily always say Joyeux Noël -- I know it's important to be sensitive about that.<BR/><BR/>Bonnes fêtes, en tout cas, et Bonne Année 2008 !The Late Bloomerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08337578942279132688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-64264608737815705702007-12-21T13:17:00.000+01:002007-12-21T13:17:00.000+01:00I grew up in a non-religious family with lots of J...I grew up in a non-religious family with lots of Jewish friends and neighbors, and sometimes the Catholic-ness of everything bothers me too. What's with announcing the saints at the end of the weather report? (B says the people with that name just get to feel special and it doesn't mean anything more than that) I was also shocked to find out that my brother-in-law's girlfriend was the first Jew that my in-laws have ever known. My MIL started stressing about the ingredients in every dish when she found out the girlfriend doesn't eat pork. B didn't even know that Jews don't celebrate Christmas. He just took it at as a given that everyone does. I started to get mad at him for his cultural insensitivity, but then I realized it's not his fault. I learned about Hannukah when I was 4 and our new neighbors were Jewish, but I think Christmas in France is like les bises: they don't know any other way and don't understand that it's not the same everywhere else. That being said, I find the French lacking in holiday spirit. I'm the only one interested in holiday foods and decorations and music. For the prevalence of everything Christmas, the actual celebration with my in-laws is no different from any other big family get-together. Btw, are there reformed Jews in France? I heard that almost all Jews here were Orthodox. But maybe someone mis-informed me.Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07100259488053106803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-14822130864125434232007-12-21T09:11:00.000+01:002007-12-21T09:11:00.000+01:00This post made me realise that the reason I enjoy ...This post made me realise that the reason I enjoy French Christmas so much more than American Christmas is precisely because it's more of a cultural holiday than a religious holiday. <BR/><BR/>Nobody here sits around talking about the birth of Baby Jesus, in fact most people who celebrate Christmas here in France don't even believe in Jesus.<BR/><BR/>Interesting.Madame Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-32542844001900113782007-12-20T19:00:00.000+01:002007-12-20T19:00:00.000+01:00By george, I think you've got it. The French have...By george, I think you've got it. The French have a much more sane approach to the whole thing. And you seem to, as well.<BR/><BR/>Bonnes fêtes de fin d'année. Happy Solstice. Etc.wcshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00551283829616757577noreply@blogger.com