New Year’s Day Etrennes tradition
As the year draws to a close, the daily grind blends with the excitement of the holidays. December begins with Christmas markets and the frenzy of last-minute gift shopping before the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.
However, once Christmas and the grand New Year’s festivities are over, another tradition deeply rooted in French culture takes over on January 1st: the distribution of the Étrennes (New Year gifts).
On New Year’s Day, many French people take a moment to thank those who make their lives easier: concierges and housekeepers receive a few banknotes discreetly slipped into an envelope. Postmen (and postwomen) and firefighters, for their part, make their rounds earlier in December to offer Advent calendars, allowing families to thank them in turn with a small contribution.
That said, these Étrennes are not a sign of extravagance. They express gratitude for their unseen work and mean “Thank you for being there throughout the year.” This tradition is comparable to Boxing Day, which takes place on December 26, the day after Christmas, and was originally a day dedicated to distributing gifts to those in need.
But this custom is much older and far more symbolic than one might think.
Étrennes’ ancient roots
The tradition of the Étrennes originated in ancient Rome, a culture deeply connected to omens and the rhythm of the seasons. The Romans indeed believed that a year beginning under auspicious circumstances would bring good fortune.
The Roman New Year originally began on March 15 (the Ides of March), the date of the consuls’ investiture. However, in 45 BC, Julius Caesar ordered a significant reform of the Roman calendar: the New Year was now celebrated in January, rather than March, in honor of Janus, the god of beginnings, transitions, and endings, usually depicted with a double head. Thus, at the start of the new earthly cycle, on January 1, the Romans would gather sprigs of vervain from sacred groves dedicated to Strenia, the goddess associated with health, prosperity, and renewal, and offer them as auspicious gifts (strena). The Latin word strena, meaning omen, sign or blessing, gave rise to the French words étrennes and the English words strennians.
This custom became deeply rooted in Roman life. But as Roman society grew more complex, the meaning of gifts evolved. People began exchanging figs, dates, and hone, foods laden with symbolism: sweetness for the coming year, abundance, and the hope of a peaceful life. Later, these gifts transformed into coins, medals, and other precious objects.
When the Roman Empire expanded into Gaul, bringing its customs with it, New Year’s gifts became a familiar and eagerly anticipated ritual throughout the region. Although popular, the tradition of giving New Year’s gifts was not universally accepted in France during the early centuries of Christianity, as ecclesiastical authorities considered it a surviving pagan rite linked to a Roman goddess. In the 6th century, the Church formally forbade this custom, fearing it would lead the faithful astray from Christian teachings. Despite these prohibitions, the custom persisted. After all, human beings are drawn to traditions that celebrate gratitude, good fortune, and renewal!
However, from the Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century, New Year’s gifts remained highly prized by the aristocracy. Under the reign of Louis XIV, this ritual reached a theatrical splendor. Courtiers vied with one another to impress the Sun King with sumptuous presents, objects so luxurious that they became as much instruments of political strategy as tokens of devotion. Giving New Year’s étrennes meant being seen, appreciated, and, ideally, rewarded. The gift-giving season transformed into a kind of social ballet: extravagant, ceremonial, and quintessentially French!
Etrennes, forbidden in the name of morality
The French Revolution of 1789 brought an abrupt end to these displays of generosity. Revolutionaries denounced New Year’s étrennes as a source of corruption and favoritism, particularly among civil servants who might be tempted to “reward” the most generous. This suspicion persisted well into the 20th century. A Parisian police ordinance from 1955 (surprisingly still in effect) still prohibits municipal employees, such as garbage collectors and sewer workers, from soliciting tips. In practice, however, many Parisians continue the tradition out of pure gratitude. The amount may be modest, but the gesture is imbued with a warmth that regulations cannot diminish.
Democratization of the custom
With the Revolution over, tempers cooled, calm returned, and traditions gradually took root. The custom of New Year’s gifts spread throughout all social classes. Families gave them to their relatives, godchildren, and servants. For many, these gifts were essential support, sometimes even more important than their monthly wages. For children, these gifts were often the highlight of the holiday season, long before Christmas presents became the norm in France.
New Year’s Day étrennes, a vanishing but still meaningful tradition
Today, New Year’s Étrennes have lost their sacred aura and political significance. They are now merely a symbolic gesture of generosity, a moment to thank those who help make life a little sweeter.
Yet, this custom is fading. In large cities, in particular, people often don’t know their neighbours. Younger generations, less attached to traditions, may even abandon them altogether.
Nevertheless, every New Year’s Day, countless envelopes circulate discreetly. A small gift, a fleeting smile, a sincere “Bonne Année – Happy New Year”: these gestures perpetuate the tradition!
Wikimedia Commons: Janus by Giuseppe Savo is CC BY-SA 4.0 – Credits: Freepik Header – Christmastide
