A Tale of Two Tables: How do the French celebrate the Holiday vs Americans
When December arrives, both sides of the Atlantic transform into landscapes of twinkling lights and festive cheer. Yet step into a French home on Christmas Eve and then into an American one on Thanksgiving, and you’ll discover two vastly different philosophies about how food and wine should anchor our most cherished celebrations.
The American Feast: Abundance and Tradition
In America, holiday meals are monuments to plenty. Thanksgiving tables groan under the weight of a golden-brown turkey, often weighing 15-20 pounds for a family of eight. But the bird is merely the centerpiece of an empire: creamy mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole crowned with marshmallows, green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and at least three types of pie waiting in the wings.
Christmas dinner follows a similar pattern—perhaps a glazed ham joins or replaces the turkey, but the philosophy remains: more is more. The meal happens in one glorious, overwhelming wave, typically served family-style with everyone helping themselves to generous portions of everything simultaneously.
As for wine, it’s often an afterthought in many American households. A bottle of red and a bottle of white might appear on the table—perhaps a California Cabernet or a Chardonnay— but beer, cocktails, and soft drinks frequently share equal billing. Wine isn’t necessarily woven into the meal’s fabric; it’s one beverage option among many.
The French Réveillon: Elegance and Ceremony
Now, transport yourself to a French Christmas Eve—le Réveillon de Noël. Here, the meal isn’t just dinner; it’s a carefully choreographed performance that can stretch for four, five, even six hours.
The French approach their holiday feast as a series of distinct courses, each deserving its own moment of appreciation. The meal might begin with oysters or foie gras, progress through a delicate fish course, arrive at the main event (often capon, turkey, or game), pause for a perfectly aged cheese course, and culminate in the traditional bûche de Noël—a rolled sponge cake decorated to resemble a yule log.
But here’s where the French and American experiences truly diverge: the wine. In France, wine isn’t merely present at the holiday table—it’s the liquid thread binding the entire experience together. Each course has been considered in relation to its wine pairing. The oysters might be accompanied by Muscadet or Champagne, the foie gras by a Sauternes, the main course by a grand Burgundy or Bordeaux, the cheese by something more robust.
This isn’t pretension; it’s simply how the French conceive of a proper meal. Wine and food are partners in a dialogue, each elevating the other.
Philosophy Over Practicality
The differences reflect deeper cultural values. American holiday meals celebrate generosity and togetherness—the idea that abundance itself is a gift we share. There’s something deeply democratic about everyone diving into the same dishes at once, filling their plates according to appetite and preference.
The French model prizes refinement and the art of savoring. By spacing courses across an evening, by carefully considering which wine enhances which dish, the French aren’t being fussy—they’re extending pleasure, creating space for conversation between courses, allowing appreciation for each element of the meal.
Common Ground Yet both approaches share something fundamental: they understand that holiday meals transcend mere sustenance. Whether you’re passing mashed potatoes around an American table or waiting for the cheese course in France, these meals are about connection, tradition, and taking time away from everyday life to celebrate with those we love.
The American table says, “Look at all we have to share with you.” The French table says, “Let us take our time and savor this together.” Both are expressions of love and hospitality—just spoken in different dialects.
The Wine Question
Perhaps the most striking difference is how wine functions in each culture. In America, wine at holiday meals is often treated as special-occasion drinking—something we might enjoy but isn’t essential to the meal’s success. In France, a holiday meal without thoughtful wine pairings would feel as incomplete as forgetting to cook the main course.
This reflects broader cultural relationships with wine. For Americans, wine is often celebratory or sophisticated. For the French, it’s simply part of eating well—as fundamental as seasoning the food properly.
So which approach is better? That’s the wrong question. Both the American abundance and French elegance offer their own particular magic. Perhaps the real luxury is having experienced both: the warmth of an American table piled high with comfort foods, and the elegance of a French meal where time itself seems to slow down between courses, glass after thoughtfully chosen glass.
This holiday season, whatever your table looks like, the team at Le French Wine Shop and its sister business, Vin sur Vingt 51st street are inviting you to two unique culinary events, in the form of a 5 course wine dinner:
Thurs. Nov. 6th at 7pm - Let us pair your Thanksgiving Dinner
Enjoy a revisited Thanksgiving 5 courses menu with wines from our shop to match the flavors of this holiday.
📍 Vin sur Vingt Bistro 51st - 230 East 51st , New York NY 10022
Tues. Dec. 9th at 7pm - Holiday Dinner a la Francaise
Enjoy a 5 courses Holiday dinner French Style with a selection of refined French wines to match this occasion.
📍 Vin sur Vingt Bistro 51st - 230 East 51st , New York NY 10022
Thurs. Dec. 11th at 7pm - Champagne & Burgundy Wine Dinner
Come join us for an elevated 5 courses dinner French Style with a Champagne and Burgundy wines.
📍 Vin sur Vingt Logan-Circle 1529C 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005