Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

French Christmas Traditions: Planting Wheat on the Feast of Saint Barbe (No Need for a Shovel)

Christmas wheat St. Barbe
(Last year's Sainte Barbe.)

Today, December 4th, is the feast of Saint Barbe, the first Provençal Christmas tradition takes place in France. Growing wheat. This morning I bought wheat grains for Annie and I.
Annie's wheat is always superior to mine. "Experience." she says, plus I think Saint Barbe is on her side.

Watering wheat 2nd step

Third step, moisten the cotton with a dab of water, but not gushing soak.

Sprinkle wheat grains
I have heard you can use moss on which to scatter your grains, which seems tres chic, though I have traditionally used cotton. Every other day you will need to moisten the cotton holding the grains, until you see that they're full-grown.

Also, the grains need to be by indirect sunlight.


French Christmas Tradition Growing wheat

The outcome of the wheat is said to be a symbol of the harvest to come. If the grains germinate and sprout beautifully, it is said that the harvest will be bountiful. If the grains shoots are immature and yellow, poor harvests are predicted. If nothing happens…well maybe you watered it too much, or didn't have it close to a source of light, or your grains were old, nevertheless, it isn't a good sign as far as symbols are concerned. 
It is also said that the shoots growth predict your good fortune for the year to come.



The sprouting grains of wheat are used to decorate the table at Christmas, and or the creche (nativity scene.) Plates of growing wheat are in shops, homes, schools… Everyone in France has a mini wheat field growing, even at the post office.
After Epiphany Annie use to take hers and plants it in a nearby wheat field, she said that is also, part of the tradition.
Kissing over the wheat

French Husband came in while I was taking photos of the wheat grain, he asked what I was doing…
After I told him he said, "You forgot the most important part!"
"What did I forget Smarty Pants?"
"The last step. You must kiss over the wheat for good fortune."
I shook my head no, "Annie never mentioned that."
"Its true."
I laughed!
I am not sure how true this part of the tradition is, but it sure makes the process more fun. And I never say no to kissing.
(I look like a horse ready to eat the wheat grains…)
What Christmas traditions are you following, or breaking?

 

Thank you for the loving comments yesterday… what true "santons" you are! Kind, generous and inspiring!

 

"Winners of the Santon Giveaway:
"Please send me your address and I will mail you a santon.

Comments

29 responses to “French Christmas Traditions: Planting Wheat on the Feast of Saint Barbe (No Need for a Shovel)”

  1. Laurie SF

    This Christmas gal likes to keep it au natural, earthy like, without the bling, by draping fresh greens, berries, and pears throughout each and every room and doorway. (Note to Santa Baby: bling okay for under the tree)

    Reply
  2. WR

    Corey! Today, you made me really life, you look like a horse, indeed! What will you say next? I like the passion that you put into that pucker so there!
    Love…

    Reply
  3. martina

    The nativity “set”; which is small santons from France, midsize thriftstore figurines and the family’s larger figurines, in a stable made by a friend’s father. Not everything matches, but it all is very loved and a tradition.

    Reply
  4. WR

    Ugh! I meant laugh! I could say that you put some life into my morning!

    Reply
  5. Zosia

    So far I made a simple Advent calendar for the kids and set 4 candles, one to be lit at the beginning of each week of advent. Closer to Christmas we will decorate the Christmas tree and maybe have a few boughs of greenery here and there.
    Any excuse for a kiss from the one you love is good :-).

    Reply
  6. peggy braswell

    I got the tree up yesterday + will decorate today. Isn’t Christmas the best! Now I have a new tradition, wheat growing + love the kissing part! xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

    Reply
  7. Lana Kloch

    can’t wait to try this tradition, corey. how wonderful. even the kiss made special by your husband imagination.
    you two make an awesome couple together. the love between you both is so evident.
    merci again for all you share.

    Reply
  8. Jenna

    I heard you have to kiss every morning and night over the wheat, maybe I’m wrong but I think I got it right.

    Reply
  9. kim

    hmmmmm. I’ll put up our small tree. I’ll pull out some decorations that my mother and sister made. Some candles. But my step-sons asked if we could have Hoisin Duck for Christmas dinner and I said, “sure!” So, the tradition I’m breaking is no turkey with all the trimmings this year and I can’t say I’m sorry about it, either.

    Reply
  10. Toni

    I really like the wheat tradition – what fun! Can you use American grass? It’s what we have handy.
    We have bought a Lego Advent Calendar for all of us to share this year. We are taking turns and so far, the little prizes are appropriate to each of us!

    Reply
  11. Debra

    wonder where I can by the seeds, great idea for the creche. I will keep on giving the gift of less clutter. My twelve yo came home from school yesterday, ran to the basement and said gleefully,”Yes! Mom, you’re making great progress!” What a gift he gave me!
    C, are you going to sell any of the satons on-line?

    Reply
  12. Myra

    Today I will share the gift of love and family with four of my grandchildren ages ranging from 12 to 23 months. We will travel to see their great grandmother on their dad’s side and their grandmother on their mom’s side who now live across the hall from each other in a senior living environment in Yuba City. I will pick the three older ones up after school with a hearty snack I have prepared to share on the ride down. The car will be filled with love and chatter and music to their Nona’s (me) ears. And…They will light up the hearts of their surprised grandmothers.
    Love, Myra

    Reply
  13. Carol

    No, regular grass seed will not work. They sell wheat grass seed at pet stores. I guess cats like to munch on it. I have always started it in potting soil but I am going to try the cotton base.

    Reply
  14. Jeannie

    I planted wheat this morning! Not because of Saint Barbe, but for my kitten. LOL! She thinks my houseplants are her winter green supply, so I am hoping the wheat will make her happy. Now, I am thinking maybe so good luck would be good as well. My tradition is to make Christmas gift boxes for my artist family members and handmade gifts for all. The gift boxes are filled with the things artists run out of or covet, but can’t bring themselves to purchase. I love doing these. Gifts by moi this year are knitted ruffle scarves and felted silk and wool scarves. I also started on the box for the local Head Start program. I love gift giving!

    Reply
  15. marlis

    In Germany, we also commemorate St. Barbara’s Day. By bringing in Cherry Branches and placing them in a vase. If they bloom on the 25th of December, that is a sign of good luck. I love the tradition of the wheat. My cat would go insane with lust! xo marlis

    Reply
  16. Franca Bollo

    My cat would be all over that grass. I’d wake up to nubs and green vomit.

    Reply
  17. Franca Bollo

    And the tradition? Standing on the hearth, hair brush in hand, singing along to Andy Williams’ rendition of “Jingle Bells.”
    “Je-je-je-jingle beeelllllls” You gotta swing it.

    Reply
  18. Marilyn

    We have broke tradition for many years by not having the traditional meal for Christmas, but having a meal representing another country. This year we actually are going with tradition for the first time in a very long time.

    Reply
  19. Diogenes

    Corey, I love the lamb Santons(?)in the next-to-the-last picture. I also like that Annie plants the wheat in a field, giving it a chance to grow. Finally, the Xmas tradition that I am following is ordering gifts on Amazon and not setting foot in the stores.

    Reply
  20. Diogenes

    I suspect our cats are related.

    Reply
  21. Judi

    I love that! Here, I grow wheat in that way for Easter…to hold the painted eggs, LOL.
    We always celebrate St. Nicholas Day. Since I was a child…and for my children…and now grandchild. Leave a container out (it used to be shoes) on the evening of the 5th. If you have been good and will have a nice Christmas, St. Nick will leave you nuts, an orange, a candy cane, some chocolates…and perhaps a tiny gift. If you have not been good – watch out! There will be coal left for you. When my mother was a child, St. Nick would come to their house and chase them around the pot-bellied stove, trying to hit them with a switch if they had been bad that year. But then, when he left, he would turn around and toss coins and candy to them. I’m glad I never tried that with my children….but one of them did get a tiny piece of coal among the candies….I don’t think she ever recovered!

    Reply
  22. TEXAS FRANCOPHILE

    Love traditions! In the market for crèche of Santons. Our tradition is homemade gumbo for for Christmas Eve, the n off to church. When we return……..open one present!

    Reply
  23. 24/7 in France

    What a lovely tradition! Wheat grass is also good for one’s health, as pointed out by my French husband 🙂

    Reply
  24. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi Debra
    If you cannot find any let me know and I can send you some. Seeds and postage would cost about three euros.
    C

    Reply
  25. Tongue in Cheek

    lol! Oh that is the secret to success!

    Reply
  26. Liz

    They grow wheat in Malta too this time of year and it ‘garnishes’ various cribs from massive ones (Neopolitan style) in churches, to home affairs. My son always brought home some anemic wilting wheat cum crib when at Kindergarten. They force it here, in the dark, so it’s white for some reason, not green. And the crib figures never stood up on it properly! Looks awful I think. At least with your post Corey I now know why! All these years in Malta and no one has ever come up with a reasonable explanation of what it’s all about! I used dried palm fronds chopped up to look like straw in our home crib. Can’t quite get used to this weed thing!

    Reply
  27. Catalina

    I’m so happy Corey! will put it in my “crèche” ! thank you, thank you! (in Spanish we say: happy as a worm (or caterpillar) don’t know why we suppose they are happy 🙂 )
    Didn’t know about this wheat tradition!
    In Venezuela, small towns in the mountain (the Andes) have this tradition: little Jesus is hidden in a house and all the neighbourhood goes from house to house to find him, singing nativity folklore songs (Venezuelan ones include drums, maracas and “cuatro”: small guitar) finally they find it in a house and then the party starts!: food, drinks and joy!
    I was there once and is such a happy time!

    Reply
  28. Amy Kortuem

    I would love to do this, but my cats would probably use it as a litter box. Bad kitties.
    Playing my harp on Christmas Eve at a local church. I’ve done it nearly every single year since I started playing. The few years I haven’t played on Christmas Eve, I’ve been a dithering, jumpy, nervous, bored and generally unpleasant girl to be around! (Just ask my Dad – he was the one who said, “Amy, I hope to God you get a Christmas gig next year…otherwise, just stay home. You’re driving me nuts.”)

    Reply
  29. Franca Bollo

    Our ancient lady, who once was a free-range cat, now only ventures outside to eat grass. She usually heads out around 2 am which means about 15 minutes later we are awaken by that sound … that unmistakeable sound. Then it’s the stand-off over who’s going do clean up.

    Reply

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