Combining the warmth and down-to-earth spirit of a country Christmas with the Provencal flair of France, a French Country themed fête is a truly charming way to host a get-together.
The Menu
Christmas in France is celebrated with an elaborate meal. The night starts with the apero where guests drink champagne and nibble on foie gras and warm toasts. About an hour later, you can invite your guests to the dining table for the main dishes (gift distribution usually occurs before the meal).
To follow a French style of dining, serve your meal in this order: a mise en bouche, followed by oysters and or escargots, crudities, cold meats, trou Normand, meat or poultry with cooked vegetables, salad and cheese and finally dessert. Most of thesecourses are prepared with simple and easy recipes.
The Trou Normand is served halfway through the meal to stimulate your digestion. Traditionally, this apple sorbet is soaked with Calvados in a champagne coupe. Unless you wish to eat for 8 hours, it is best to plan a six-course meal. Oysters and foie gras are a must. A whole fish is quick to prepare, while a roasted turkey with chestnuts and a log cake for dessert is also very popular.
For a taste of French cooking, give these recipes a try:
Anchovy Toasts and Gougeres
Excargots with Pernod Butter
Rilettes
Seared Sea Scallops with Citrus Fennel Slaw and Olive
Salmon En Papillote with Fennel and Roasted Peppers
Apricot Glazed Rack of Lamb
Baked Carrots with Cumin, Thyme, Butter and Chardonnay
Mini Tatin Apple Tarts with Caramel
The Look
The basic Christmas decorations are the same in France as they are in North America: Christmas trees, mistletoes, pine twigs and cones. But the tableware never features the kind of holiday designs we’re familiar with here!
For your table, aim for an elegant look done with earthenware dinnerware. If you short on chairs, long wooden benches provide an easy solution.
Arthur Quentin is a popular store for authentic French Country tableware in the Montreal area, however, you can reproduce the look at any price point. A few styles you might like to try:
For a Natural Black and White Look
• Tulipes Noires dinnerware by Gien with La Rochere’s Bee glasses and Nature Black Wood flatware by Sabre.
• Look for natural colour linen. White “tête à tête” (face-to-face) highlights the place settings. They look like table runners in a shorter and wider version.
• Use black wood cake stands, chandeliers and brown rattan baskets to accessorize.
A cream 19th century classic design
• Pont Aux Choux is a scalloped border dinnerware with a "Grains of rice" motif by Gien. The look is still current and chic today.
• Accessorize with La Rochere’s Friendship (Amitié) glassware and add a dash of colour with the red Natura flatware by Sabre
• A cream tablecloth forms the base for a simple light blue linen cloth on top.
• Spread around several single flower arrangements, each on a small metallic vase
For a festive array of colours
• Traditional tableware has a scalloped border. Mix and match the bold coloured plates and bowls by Niderviller: vanilla, red, orange, pink and green. In Toronto, French Country carries the Casa Stone line in pastels and the Bee glasses.
• Patterned plates like Oiseau de Paradis by Gien would add drama to your table. Drawings of birds, insects, flowers and market food are typical of the style.
• A red tablecloth with a recurring orange floral motif takes an inviting glow under the candle lights. Lay out several votive holders to maximize this effect.
The Music
A French Country party calls for traditional interpretations. You can listen to O Holy Night by a chorale that sings all the French Christmas classics.