Christmas in France blends elegance, tradition, and thoughtful giving. The French appreciate high-quality, meaningful gifts that celebrate craftsmanship and culture. Popular Christmas gifts in France include good chocolate, local wine, skincare, perfume, and handmade items. Food baskets filled with French treats are also becoming more popular.
Most people in France open gifts on Christmas Eve, after the big holiday meal known as Réveillon. It’s a warm, personal part of the celebration.
When choosing a gift, think quality over quantity. A box with wine, cheese, or sweet snacks is a classic choice. For something extra festive, you can add candles, tea, or local sweets that feel cozy and thoughtful.
French Gift-Giving Traditions
French traditions around gift giving are shaped by both religion and culture. Christmas gifts are personal, well-chosen, and usually wrapped with care. Many French families exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. However, some regions, especially in the north and east, celebrate Saint Nicholas Day on December 6th, offering small gifts and treats to children.
In France, gifts should be high-quality, nicely wrapped, and often include a handwritten card. Presentation matters just as much as the gift itself. That’s why Christmas hampers work so well, they look great, feel special, and are full of useful items. French gift-giving is more about the thought behind the gift than how expensive it is.
With services like Walwater Gifts, you can send well-packed Christmas hampers across France, from Paris to Marseille, Lyon to Bordeaux. Whether you’re sending something simple or more luxurious, the packaging and content still feel polished.
What to Give Someone in France
In France, people appreciate gifts that are tasteful, practical, and a little indulgent. Keep it simple but well chosen.
Here are some ideas:
- Gourmet treats like macarons, honey, or foie gras
- Regional wines or small-batch liqueurs
- Nice skincare or soaps from Provence
- Custom candles or monogrammed items
- Good teas, notebooks, or other cozy extras
- For women, beauty sets, chocolate boxes, or luxury teas are all safe picks. Just make sure it’s something that feels thoughtful, not flashy.
- For men, try whisky, charcuterie, or leather items. A well-curated food basket always feels thoughtful, especially when it reflects French taste.
- Another fantastic idea is a Christmas gift basket for friends with a blend of food, drink, and keepsakes. Food gift baskets for Christmas are always welcome for family gifting, offering something for everyone. French people appreciate gifts that show attention to detail, so take the time to choose practical and tasteful items.
What Are the French Christmas Present Traditions?
Christmas in France is more about family gatherings and shared meals than about piles of presents. However, gift exchanges are still an essential part of the celebration. Presents are typically placed under the Christmas tree and opened on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, depending on the region.
A key figure in French holiday folklore is Père Noël, or Father Christmas, who brings gifts to children. In parts of France, kids still leave their shoes by the fireplace on Christmas Eve. Père Noël fills them with small treats, chocolates, little toys, or sweets. It’s a simple tradition, but one that means a lot.
That spirit of giving, modest, thoughtful, and warm, fits perfectly with today’s food hampers. These baskets, packed with wine, desserts, and festive snacks, are a hit with families. They’re easy to share and fun to open.
Want to send something from afar?
Walwater Gifts puts together hampers that match French tastes. Whether it’s for family, friends, or work contacts, there’s a gift box that fits.
In France, people care about quality. They don’t want over-the-top gifts. They want something that feels personal. A well-chosen hamper with good food and nice wrapping does the job.
Skip the stress
Walwater delivers across France. No customs issues. No long delays. Just good gifts, sent on time.
Walwater Gifts
Our Uniquely Designed Gifts story began in 2008 when the business started with Baby Gifts only, especially Sweet Chocolate Bouquets. After a few years, we expanded the business presence by opening a second operation center in Europe. Walwater Gifts offers a beautiful and impressive collection of Gifts and Specialty Items.
About Us
Walwater Gifts uses the highest quality products, every order is treated with respect and attention to detail to ensure a perfect gift. We continuously strive to improve our products and services and create every gift with the same pride and enthusiasm as if it were our very own.
Recent Posts
Follow Us
Sign up for our Newsletter
Sign Up for exclusive offers
We proudly accept
