7 countries, 7 traditional Christmas feasts

Christmas is celebrated in many ways in many corners of the globe, and the cuisine that marks the holiday is as diverse as the people feasting on it.

Food traditions are comforting at a time when many people have had a challenging year. And Christmas dishes are particularly special in many households.

The typical Christmas meal may be different by destination, but the idea of indulging in a feast, be it on the day itself or the night before, isn't.

Here's a look at how locals celebrate Christmas through cuisine in seven countries. We asked hospitality experts about these traditions, and they shared their perspective on what's typical for them as well as their families and friends.

The French enjoy their lavish holiday meal on December 24, says Francois Payard, the renowned pastry chef who grew up in Nice.

Locals sit down for dinner around 8 p.m., he says, and savor a first course of seafood. That usually means a lobster thermidor - a baked dish of the cooked crustacean mixed with mustard, egg yolks and brandy - or a shrimp scampi.

Then it's on to a large capon - a male chicken that's renowned for its tenderness - and a medley of sides including mashed potatoes and chestnuts sauteed with butter and topped with sage. "Chestnuts are a fixture in any Christmas meal for us," says Payard.