Santons and the Provençal crèche: a vintage French Christmas scene
In Provence, a Christmas crèche is often more than a stable. Santons, small figures of painted clay, gather around the Nativity as villagers of the region: the baker, the shepherd, the miller, the woman carrying a bundle of wood. The word comes from the Provençal santoun, little saint. Customs vary from town to town and household to household, and there is no single correct arrangement.
For display, a deep shelf, a dresser top or a low chest works better than a mantel above a lit fire. Clay santons are fragile at the hands and hats; dust them with a soft, dry brush and store each one in tissue in a lidded box. Older figures sometimes carry an impressed or painted mark under the base. Attribute a santon to a workshop only by that mark, since the same models have been made by many hands.
French Christmas decor with greenery in copper and confit pots
Greenery is the simplest and most convincing part of French Christmas decor. Cut boughs of fir, holly, box, bay and olive last a week or more in water; arrange them loosely, the way they grow. A copper stockpot from the kitchen, 8 to 12 in (20 to 30 cm) across, holds a generous armful. Place a glass or plastic liner inside so water never sits on the tin lining. More vessels are among our French country accents.
A glazed pot à confit from the Southwest, yellow or green glaze on the upper half and bare clay below, makes a natural vase for tall branches. The bare lower half is porous and wicks water onto a table, so stand the pot on a saucer or cork mat, or use a liner. Keep all greenery at least 12 in (30 cm) from candle flames; fir dries quickly after ten days indoors.
Candlelight, brass candlesticks and old electrics: the safety checks
Brass candlesticks in pairs or uneven groups give the warm, low light that suits a country room in December. Check that each candle stands straight: many sockets take a standard taper of about 7/8 in (2.2 cm), but older sockets vary, and a leaning candle is a common cause of fire. A glass or brass bobèche, the drip pan, protects the socket and the cloth. See antique brass and bronze and our candlesticks and candelabras for the forms.
Old electrics are the second risk. A vintage French lamp or chandelier may still have cloth-covered cord, a two-pin plug and no ground; have it rewired to US standards before use. Put candles out when you leave the room, and keep them away from curtains and from a crèche landscape of dry moss.
Setting the Christmas table: linen and the thirteen desserts
The table is the center of a French country Christmas. A white or natural linen cloth, ironed damp so the folds stay crisp, takes candlelight better than a printed one. In Provence, the meal of Christmas Eve is often described with a table laid with three white cloths and three candles, ending with the thirteen desserts. Lists differ by family and town, and no list is official; the questions below give common examples.
On a farmhouse table 30 in (76 cm) high and 34 to 36 in (86 to 91 cm) wide, leave 12 in (30 cm) down the center for candles and dishes, and keep a runner of greenery flat and low so guests can see each other. Our page on French country dining tables covers sizes, and the French country kitchen guide covers the dresser where the desserts wait.
What to compare
| Form | Suggested Use | Decisive Check |
|---|---|---|
| Brass candlesticks, pair or group | Dining table and mantel | Socket size and a stable base |
| Copper pot with fir and holly | Kitchen counter or hall | Liner so water never touches the lining |
| Glazed confit pot with branches | Dresser top or floor by the door | Saucer under the porous lower half |
| Santon crèche on a tray | Deep shelf away from the fire | Dry dusting and boxed storage after the season |
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Frequently asked questions
What is French country Christmas decor?
French country Christmas decor relies on what a country house already holds: brass candlesticks, copper pots and glazed earthenware filled with garden greenery, linen on a farmhouse table and, in Provence, a crèche of clay santons. The look relies on natural materials and low light.
How should you display and store santons?
Display santons on a deep shelf or a dresser away from heat and from the reach of small children, on a tray of moss and stones. Dust them with a soft, dry brush, never water. After the season, wrap each figure in acid-free tissue and store the set in a lidded box in a dry room.
Can antique copper pots hold Christmas greenery?
Yes, with a liner. Set a glass jar or plastic container inside the pot and put the water in that, so moisture never sits on the tin lining or on bare copper. Dry the pot fully before it returns to the kitchen.
What are the thirteen desserts of Provence?
The thirteen desserts are a Provençal Christmas Eve custom that ends the evening meal. The selection varies by family and town but often includes dried figs, raisins, almonds and walnuts, white and dark nougat, an olive-oil bread called pompe à l'huile, fresh fruit and local sweets. No single list is official.
Sources & further reading
- Canadian Conservation Institute — CCI Notes 9/3: The Cleaning, Polishing and Protective Waxing of Brass and Copper — Cleaning, polishing and waxing brass candlesticks and copper pots without removing metal.
- Canadian Conservation Institute — Caring for ceramic and glass objects — Care of ceramic objects such as clay santons and glazed confit pots: dry dusting and safe storage.
