Christmas is so close now, I just can’t wait for the great family time, good food and fun ! The cities are all decorated and lovely. Have you all finished your Xmas shopping ? I was tagged by That’s Beauty Kristin to do this Christmas Tag, go check out her great blog !

1. What is your favorite Christmas Movies?

My favorite Christmas movie is the Nightmare before Christmas but when I was little I loved Home Alone it’s just too funny!

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

When I was a little girl I opened my presents on Christmas morning, but since I became a teen, we started opening our presents on Christmas Eve. Who can wait so long till the morning anymore?

3. Do you have a favorite Christmas memory?

Getting to sing Christmas mid night mass at the Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica in Marseille. This is a very special Basilica that has protected the city of Marseille and its sailors from storms and hardships. Being able to sing with my choir there was a magical and spiritual moment.

Another great Christmas memory was going with my Mom and Sisters to celebrate Chritmas with my Aunt and Uncle in Africa : Burkina Faso. It was truly a wonderful trip and I’ll be blogging about it so stay tuned. 🙂

4. Favorite festive food?

I love sugar cookies and decorating them for Christmas, nothing makes it more festive than that! But of course Christmas dinner and most especially Christmas Eve 13 deserts a tradition in Provence – south of France.

You have to eat 13 deserts all chosen from traditionally available food in Provence or it will bring bad luck. This is such a fun tradition to do every year. Here is a list of the 13 deserts :

The first four of these are known as the “four beggars” (les quatre mendiants), representing the four mendicant monastic orders:Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustinian and Carmelites.^[3]

• Raisins (Dominicans)
  
• Walnuts or hazelnuts^[4] (Augustines)
  
• Dried figs (Franciscans)
  
• Almonds (Carmelites)
  
• Dates, representing the foods of the region where Christ lived and died^[5]
  
• Dried plums from Brignoles
  

Fresh fruit

• Oranges or tangerines
  

Sweets

• Biscotins (biscuits) from Aix;
  
• Calissons d’Aix,^[6] a marzipan-like candy made from almond paste and candied melon.
  
• Candied citron
  
• Casse-dents of Allauch (biscuit)
  
• Fried bugnes
  
• Oreillettes, light thin waffles^[2]
  
• Pain d’epice
  
• Pompes à l’huile or fougasse à l’huile d’olive, a sweet cake or brioche made with orange flower water and olive oil^[5]
  
• Quince cheese/quince paste (Pâte de coing)^[6]
  
• Yule log (cake)
  
• Two kinds of nougat, symbolizing good and evil^[1]
  
  • Black nougat with honey (Nougat noir au miel), a hard candy made with honey and almonds
    
  • White nougat (Nougat blanc), a soft candy made with sugar, eggs, pistachios, honey, and almonds
    

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5. Favorite Christmas gift?

My favorite Christmas memory was getting a Rainbow Brite Bicycle with a rainbow on the seat and colorful tassels on the handles.

6. Favorite Christmas scent?

My favorite Christmas scent has to be the Christmas Tree ! Pine scent it the best in the world but you can’t enjoy all year round so I take advantage of it like a maniac during Xmas. A close second is the cinnamon spices that remind me of Christmas.

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

We love going to the French Christmas outdoor markets. You can buy souvenirs and presents while drinking spiced wine. If I am in Provence then of course we’ll stop at the Santon markets which sell small statues to make the Christmas Crèche or nativity scene. We make one every year in my family.

8. What tops your tree?

A golden star every year ! What else ?

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

I wanted a unicorn and I would settle for a horse. But sadly never received it !

10. What’s the best part about Christmas for you?

The best part about Christmas for me is getting back with my family and spending quality time with them. My family is spread out all over the world so any time some of us can get together and enjoy togetherness it’s special.

I tag of you readers and subbies ! Merry Xmas to all !