French people getting ready for Christmas: buying real trees, in most cases, which never happens in NZ (because we don't have this type of trees?!). There are trees everywhere, being sold and bought, in every household and in the hallways of every apartment building, in shops... For each family, there is also at least one advent calendar, often more, meaning lots of chocolate. Also, small aperitif and/or dinner parties with friends. In my case, lots of coffee dates. There are so many last goodbyes to be done!