Christmas is just around the corner. Joyeux Noël! as we say in French.
French people usually leave work earlier on Christmas Eve because they are going to celebrate Christmas that evening. If you were in France, you would hear Joyeux Noël! everywhere you go: from the sellers/cashiers in shops, the colleagues, the waiters at the restaurants or simply your neighbours! On Christmas day, people call their family and friends to tell them Joyeux Noël!
The 25 December is a public holiday in France.
