Ah, the holiday season in France! It’s the most magical time: the lights illuminating the streets, the Christmas markets filled with the aroma of spices, traditional treats like the chocolate Yule log, and above all, the art of expressing one’s dearest wishes. Whether celebrated with family, friends, or even at school, this period offers every opportunity to practice one of the most emblematic grammatical forms of the French language: the subjunctive.
But beware: as soon as we speak of wishes, emotions, uncertainty, or what we expect from others, French grammar has an unavoidable requirement. And this requirement has a name… the SUBJUNCTIVE! It appears precisely where French expresses what has not yet been realized, what is possible, or what is desired. So, whether you’re organizing a New Year’s Eve dinner, writing your greeting cards, or making your New Year’s resolutions, this grammatical mood becomes essential.
In this article, we’ll explore the use of the subjunctive mood through French end-of-year traditions. This approach allows you to learn grammar in an authentic, cultural, and engaging context. The goal is to understand when and how to use it, so you can share the festive spirit like a true French speaker.
In short : what you need to remember
- The subjunctive is the mood of wishes, emotions, and uncertainty, which makes it essential for expressing intentions, hopes, and expectations during the holiday season.
- French Christmas and New Year traditions offer numerous authentic situations to practice the subjunctive: making resolutions, preparing for Christmas Eve, expressing feelings, or writing greeting cards.
- Understanding and using the subjunctive helps students grasp cultural and relational nuances, as it reflects how French speakers show politeness, kindness, and sincere wishes.
Reminder : How do you form the subjunctive mood?
To form the subjunctive, take the stem of the third-person plural in the present indicative and add the subjunctive endings:
-e / -es / -e / -ions / -iez / -ent
Important: if the stem is different in the present indicative for the first and second-person plural, it will also be different in the subjunctive.
Example with boire (to drink):
- il faudrait que je boive une coupe de champagne (I should drink a glass of champagne)
- il faudrait que tu boives une coupe de champagne (You should drink a glass of champagne)
- il faudrait qu’il boive une coupe de champagne (He should drink a glass of champagne)
- il faudrait que nous buvions une coupe de champagne (We should drink a glass of champagne)
- il faudrait que vous buviez une coupe de champagne (You should drink a glass of champagne)
- il faudrait qu’ils boivent une coupe de champagne (They should drink a glass of champagne)
And of course, since conjugation rhymes with exception, here is the list of irregular verbs:
- être (to be)
- avoir (to have)
- aller (to go)
- faire (to do/make)
- savoir (to know)
- vouloir (to want)
- pouvoir (to be able to)
- valoir (to be worth)
This list of verbs appears in many situations communication, especially when expressing Christmas and New Year’s greetings.
Furthermore, it’s worth remembering that the subjunctive mood isn’t simply a mechanical rule: it reflects a particular way of conceiving action. Students often notice that it appears precisely when reality is uncertain or depends on a desire.
Understanding this logic allows for more fluid use of the subjunctive, particularly in conversations where French speakers express expectations or make wishes. This grammatical awareness strengthens the ability to perceive the nuances of language beyond conjugation itself.
Understanding the cultural role of the subjunctive in French New Year’s greetings
In Francophone culture, New Year’s greetings hold a central place at the end of the year. Whether kissing under the mistletoe, sending cards, or exchanging messages, there is a genuine tradition of ritualistic expressions. The subjunctive mood allows for the expression of a whole range of emotions and benevolent intentions.
When students observe actual exchanges of New Year’s greetings, they understand that the subjunctive mood is embedded in a specific social context: wishing the other person success, peace, and a pleasant year. This way of expressing wishes reflects typically French refinement and politeness.
Learning to use the subjunctive mood in this context not only allows students to master a grammatical structure but also to acquire a fundamental element of intercultural communication. The study of wishes thus reveals how French speakers build a harmonious relationship with others, while inscribing their words in a deeply rooted tradition.
The subjunctive mood for expressing resolutions and intentions
The New Year period is often a time when everyone reflects on their plans and resolutions. It’s an excellent opportunity to practice the subjunctive mood, as these sentences express ideas that haven’t yet been realized or intentions that remain uncertain.
We might hear or read:
- « Je souhaite que cette année soit celle où je progresse vraiment en français. » (I hope that this year will be the one where I really make progress in French.)
- « Il faut que je prenne plus de temps pour apprendre de nouveaux mots de vocabulaire. » (I need to take more time to learn new vocabulary words.)
- « Je veux que mes résolutions deviennent une vraie habitude. » (I want my resolutions to become a real habit.)
In an article about the holidays, these structures allow us to connect grammar and cultural practices. The subjunctive mood gives a unique expressive nuance to resolutions, highlighting willpower, doubt, or hope. By working on real personal goals, learning the subjunctive mood becomes both concrete and motivating.
Writing greetings and cards: an excellent exercise
Writing greeting cards or messages for the holidays is an authentic activity, often done in French as a Foreign Language (FLE) classes. It allows students to practice written French by using the subjunctive mood naturally. Students discover that the French language has a very rich vocabulary for expressing traditions, hopes, and wishes.
Here are some typical examples:
- « Je souhaite que la nouvelle année t’apporte bonheur et réussite. » (I wish you happiness and success in the new year.)
- « J’aimerais que cette période soit remplie de chaleur et de joie. » (I would like this time to be filled with warmth and joy.)
- « Il est important que chacun profite de ce moment. » (It is important that everyone enjoys this moment.)
These activities help students learn to structure sentences, choose the right verbs, and understand the logic of the subjunctive mood in social interactions. They also remind us that language is a tool for connection and sharing.
In the classroom, this activity also becomes a time for exchange where everyone shares some of their traditions, enriching the group’s intercultural understanding. In French culture, writing a card seems more personal and symbolic than a simple digital message. Using the subjunctive mood in this authentic situation not only helps to master grammar, but also to grasp the emotional value that these greetings represent for native speakers.
Christmas Eve (December 24th and 25th): A perfect time to practice the subjunctive
Christmas is a time for wishes and expectations, making it an ideal playground for practicing the subjunctive!
Wishes for the atmosphere
With family or friends, we all have expectations about how the festivities should unfold. Here are a few examples to express a wish or expectation:
- Je souhaite que tout le monde soit à l’heure pour le dîner. (I hope everyone will be on time for dinner.)
👉 Souhaiter que + subjonctif - J’aimerais que l’ambiance soit chaleureuse. (I would like the atmosphere to be warm and welcoming.)
👉 Aimer que Conditional + subjunctive
Organizing the dishes
Preparing a Christmas Eve dinner is a team effort. To talk about what is necessary or required, we often use the impersonal expression il faut que:
- Il faut que nous achetions la dinde avant demain matin. (We must buy the turkey before tomorrow morning.)
- Il est important que tu goûtes absolument la fameuse bûche de ma grand-mère. (It’s important that you absolutely try my grandmother’s famous Yule log.)
Emotions around gifts
Opening presents is full of surprises and emotions!
- Je suis content(e) que tu viennes à notre réveillon cette année ! (I’m so glad you’re coming to our Christmas Eve dinner this year !)
👉 Être content(e) que - Nous sommes surpris que le Père Noël existe vraiment ! (We’re surprised that Santa Claus really exists !)
👉 Être surpris que
Thus, the entire Christmas Eve becomes a veritable language laboratory. Every moment—setting the table, the arrival of guests, the conversations around the meal—offers a situation where the subjunctive mood can appear naturally. By observing these interactions, students realize that the subjunctive isn’t just for textbooks: it truly structures how French speakers express their emotions, expectations, and wishes during this festive season.
New Year’s Eve (Saint-Sylvester’s day and greetings): wishes, plans, and uncertainties
December 31st is synonymous with celebration, but above all, with resolutions and plans for the future, often tinged with doubt or determination.
New Year’s greetings
When midnight strikes, the French wish each other “Happy New Year”. The subjunctive mood is perfect for expressing these wishes and hopes:
- Je veux que cette nouvelle année apporte la joie, la santé et la réussite. (I want this new year to bring joy, health, and success.)
👉 Vouloir que - Je doute que tu fasses vraiment tout le sport que tu as promis ! (I doubt you’ll actually do all the exercise you promised!)
👉 Douter que - Nous espérons **qu’**il vienne plus souvent nous voir. (We hope **that** he’ll come to see us more often.)
⚠️ Note: With espérer que, we use the indicative mood: Nous espérons qu’il viendra.
The purpose of the evening
Why do we celebrate New Year’s Eve? So that the guests have a good time! We use pour que or afin que to express purpose:
- On décore la salle pour que la fête soit la plus belle possible. (We decorate the room so that the party is as beautiful as possible.)
- Nous mettons de la musique afin que tout le monde danse. (We put on music so that everyone dances.)
Beyond traditional expressions, this period also allows students to observe how French speakers use the subjunctive to express more personal expectations:
- J’aimerais que cette année soit plus paisible. (I would like this year to be more peaceful.)
- Il est possible que nos projets évoluent. (It is possible that our plans will evolve.)
These uses show that the subjunctive is not only relevant to festivities, but also to how we imagine the future. New Year’s thus becomes a special time for reflection, formulating intentions, and developing a more refined sensitivity to the nuances of language.
Your grammar challenge!
The subjunctive mood is the language of feelings and wishes! It’s how the French express their most sincere desires.
What wish do you have for the year 2026 using a subjunctive mood expression?