Fun, stylish and easy entertaining. This reflects the Quebecois Christmas and defines one of the province's most loved experts, Kim Vallee. Kim's bio says it all: "I developed my own casual luxury style. I like to inject the French flair into the easy going North American lifestyle. My entertaining style is influenced by modern European living." This is the holiday way in Quebec. This and poutine. Here are some fun 'steps' to a Quebecois holiday:
Step 1
Plan a taffy pull, which in the past was held on November 25 in honor of Saint Catherine, the patron saint of single women. This gathering provides an excuse for single women to meet eligible men.
Step2
Display a "crèche," or Nativity scene, with "santons," or plaster figures, depicting Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.
Step3
Step3
Sing traditional Christmas carols with English, French or German influence.
Step4
Step4
Make Christmas treats such as chocolate madeleines, iced cookies made with unsweetened cocoa and grated orange rind and prepared in shell-shaped molds.
Step5
Step5
Plan a midnight feast, or "réveillon" (which means "awakening" in French), for Christmas Eve after the mass or other religious services have ended. Invite family and friends to attend.
Step6
Step6
Cut down or buy a Christmas tree and decorate it with ornaments. Expect Santa Claus ("Pere Noel" in French) to leave gifts for the children under the tree. Plan to give gifts to friends and relatives.
Step7
Step7
Make an advent wreath and light candles to signify the coming of the Christ child.
Step8
Step8
Eat turkey, goose or beef for Christmas dinner, or opt for "tourtière," which is a traditional meat pie containing potatoes and onion. Serve desserts such as rice pudding with almonds, plum pudding, or the delicious chocolate Yule log, buche de Noel.
Step9
Step9
Mark the end of Christmas with "La fête du Roi," a holiday celebrated in Quebec on January 6. Prepare a cake with a bean hidden inside. Whoever gets the bean will be the king or queen, according to tradition.
Quebec Christmas
Quebec Christmas
5 comments:
what a great post!!
salutations de Magog Québec xxx
The architecture is stunning and this city shines at Christmas. WOW. I've always wanted to try poutine. Who wouldn't? It does contain cheese curds after all.
- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife
I've always wanted to go there - even more so tonight after seeing these pictures!!
You've got my head spinning again with all these places i'll never go to, and all this amazing SNOW. I did go to Quebec this summer for the first time. It looks magical in the winter.
Thank you for reminding me about Sainte-Catherine's day. When I was a child we celebrate it at school every year. It was fun.
You found wonderful pictures. They illustrate perfectly the Quebec spirits and traditions. Thank you for including me in your story. I feel honored.
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