Christmas in the Lowcountry will always evoke images of stately historic homes decorated with greenery, red ribbons and the soft glow of candlelight. But much of the beauty of the holiday season in Charleston is found in the diverse global traditions carried on by families from all over the world who have chosen to call this beautiful place home. Whether your family celebrates El Día de la Inmaculada Concepción, savors Greek Christopsomo Christmas bread, or an Italian Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes, there are countless ways to mark the holiday season while honoring your cultural heritage.
Here is a glimpse into the special global traditions Lowcountry families embrace right here in Charleston. The Arnaud family, of Charleston, celebrates Épiphanie in Paris, France, with homemade Kings' cake, or " galette des rois." French holidays are royally fun Marie Laure Arnaud was born in Paris, France, in a military family.
After meeting her husband, a medical student, while completing her education in the city of Lyon, the couple got married and had three children, all boys. "We came to Charleston for one year since my husband came to work on a project at MUSC," shared Arnaud. "We loved Charleston immediately, and after MUSC proposed that my husband work permanently as an assistant professor, we decided to stay.
" Arnaud and her family still embrace French traditions, celebrating Christmas, Épiphanie, honoring the day the Magi visited the infant Jesus, and La Fête Nat.