: Many religious families attend a church service on Christmas Eve, often by candlelight. Russian Christmas and New Year
: Unlike the Anglo-American tradition of stockings, French children leave their shoes or slippers by the fireplace or under the tree for Père Noël (Father Christmas) to fill with gifts.
: This is the traditional Christmas Eve feast. Families gather for a multi-course meal that can last for hours. Typical dishes include oysters, foie gras, and roasted poultry like turkey or goose.
In Russia, the main winter celebration is , while Christmas is primarily a religious holiday observed later. Exploring Russian Christmas Traditions and Celebrations