Put the small dishes in the big ones. This is how we could describe the Christmas Eve meal in many families. Sunday December 24, 2023, many people will gather around the table to wait for the arrival of Santa Claus and all his gifts. It’s an opportunity to taste exceptional dishes. According to data collected by Statista as part of Consumer Insights, certain products are particularly popular among the French when it comes to Christmas meals. For 60% of those questioned, the must-have for the end-of-year celebrations is the Yule log. Another flagship product of New Year’s Eve, even if its production is increasingly controversial, foie gras continues to be enjoyed massively (58% of respondents). If we could imagine that turkey would be one of the products favored by the French for the festive meal, this is not really the case. Only 29% should eat it even though it is, for example, the flagship product among our British neighbors, with 62% of consumers.
Wine, champagne… Alcoholic drinks will accompany the Christmas meal
To accompany the meal, the French are keen to drink good wine. In fact, 41% of those questioned will find themselves around a bottle of wine, and 40% around a bottle of champagne or crémant. Just before tasting the coveted log, many gourmets will enjoy a cheese platter. During the aperitif, the canapes and petit fours should also please those with a sweet tooth. Finally, oysters and clams will also be placed on the Christmas table because 33% of respondents said they ate it on New Year’s Eve. As a reminder, if poorly stored, oysters can be synonymous with food poisoning. To avoid having your Christmas spoiled by this seafood, it is recommended to keep them at a temperature between 10 and 15 degrees. You can also keep them in your fridge, but not just anywhere. They must be placed in the vegetable drawer. If foie gras, Yule log or even oysters continue to appear on the end-of-year holiday shopping list, salmon, guinea fowl or even chestnuts see their prices decrease.