<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (November 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (November 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> In France and some other French - speaking countries, a réveillon is a long dinner, and possibly party, held on the evenings preceding Christmas Day and New Year's Day . The name of this dinner is based on the word réveil (meaning "waking"), because participation involves staying awake until midnight . </P> <P> In Germany, the primary Christmas dishes are roast goose and roast carp, although suckling pig or duck may also be served . Typical side dishes include roast potatoes and various forms of cabbage such as kale, brussels sprouts, and red cabbage . In some regions the Christmas dinner is traditionally served on Christmas Day rather than Christmas Eve . In this case, dinner on Christmas Eve is a simpler affair, consisting of sausages (such as Bockwurst or Wiener) and potato salad . Sweets and Christmas pastries are nearly obligatory and include marzipan, spice bars (Lebkuchen), several types of bread, and various fruitcakes and fruited breads like Christstollen and Dresdener Stollen . </P>

Where does the tradition of turkey on christmas originate