In keeping with northern European traditions, Saint Nicholas visits local French schools to bring good cheer and some treats! Luckily, his partner Père Fouettard, who usually hands out coal to naughty children, is away looking after his sick donkey today.

Twenty-one thousand letters to Santa Claus were sent this year in Marseille. As if he didn't have enough on his plate, Saint Nick will send a handwritten response to each one, as long as their senders are on his "nice" list (and indicated their return address)!

Despite the cold weather, people are flocking to the opening of the Colmar Christmas market in Alsace. In this video, tourists talk shopping and vendors explain why they like to work at the Christmas market.

It takes a lot to decorate the 31-meter high Christmas tree on Strasbourg's Place Kléber: ten technicians, two bucket lifts, 75 thousand lights. Luckily, the operation is being managed by Antoinette Pfimlin, who has 20 years of experience decorating giant trees in a hard hat.

What is the French traditional holiday fare? You'd be surprised... While the classic turkey with chestnut stuffing is still on the menu, some people are getting off the beaten track, pairing classic dishes with ethnic food. Foie gras samosas, anyone? Or how about imitation caviar truffles?

Some Alsace residents take Christmas decorating very seriously. From two men who go all out with phantasmagoric light displays to a woman who opts for a subtler, 1940s décor, you'll find some different takes on what it means to be in the "Christmas spirit" in this video.

Human rights are an important world issue, and children's rights are no exception. In this Yabla exclusive, Marie and Sakhoura list the key points of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This video describes a Christmas celebration at the Secours Populaire, an organization in France that helps underprivileged children and families, without passing judgment on their plight. Here they are celebrating Christmas with a big snack, gifts, chocolates, and a magic show.

The actress Aïssa Maïga talks about her work for UNESCO, which has partnered with Always to promote literacy among women and girls in Senegal and other countries.

Over sixty musicians have come together as part of UNICEF's Paris-Africa project, which provides support to victims of the recent drought in East Africa. Their efforts have culminated in this beautiful single, Des Ricochets (Skipping Stones).

The youngest of six children, Nâdiya was born and raised in Tours to Algerian parents. Not long after turning 16, Nâdiya earned the title of French champion in the 800-meter track and field competition. Now, in her thirties, she is one of France’s biggest R&B stars. Sung with the passion of the young mother that she is, Parle-moi (Talk to me) tackles the difficult topic of child abuse.

B-Girl “Frak” talks about growing up in Beaubreuil, a neighborhood in Limoges with an unfair reputation for being full of people who want to burn your curtains.

During the 2006 World Cup, and despite criticism from several right-wing politicians, footballers Lilian Thuram and Patrick Vieira invited eighty former squatters from Cachan to see the France-Italy match.

Our delightful young guide takes the opportunity to explain why she loves her neighborhood of Python-Duvernois. We meet some of the locals, including an aspiring Michael Schumacher and some young footballers.

Le Journal reports on the birth of first male heir in the Japanese royal family in over forty years. Spoiler alert: His name is Hisahito, and he's doing quite well these days.