The French celebrate Christmas Day with a variety of traditional customs. The most important tradition is the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, during which families gather to attend church and sing carols. After the Mass, families often gather for a lavish meal, where the main dish is usually roast goose or turkey. In addition to the traditional Christmas dinner, families often exchange gifts and spend time together. French children may also receive gifts from Father Christmas, a figure similar to Santa Claus in the United States.