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Christmas in Spain
Christmas in Spain has a unique atmosphere that combines deep traditions with a lively social spirit.
It is primarily celebrated as a family holiday and the main evening is Nochebuena (December 24), when families gather for a lavish dinner filled with seafood, jamón ham and sweets such as turrón. Turrón is a sweet made from almonds, honey and egg whites and comes in dozens of varieties – from rock hard (Alicante) to soft and creamy. It is mainly a family evening full of meetings, the atmosphere is traditional, relaxed, but gifts are not given. Somewhere they also organize Christmas mass.
One of the biggest Christmas phenomena is the famous El Gordo Lottery, drawn on December 22 - watched by almost the whole country. It is the oldest and largest lottery in the world. On this day, the whole of Spain falls silent and everyone watches the TV, where the children from the San Ildefonso school sing out the numbers drawn. Winning the "Fat Man" is a national event for the Spanish.
In December, the streets and squares are lit up with lights and belénes, which have a strong tradition in Spain. In Catalonia, they have a tradition that often surprises foreigners. In addition to Mary and Joseph, a character called Caganer is added to the nativity scene. It's a figure in traditional dress, white pants, shirt and red cap, with his pants down and... defecating. Figures of politicians or celebrities in this unflattering pose are also commonly sold today. Although it may sound provocative, the Caganer has a positive meaning - it is a symbol of fertility and abundance, fertilizing the soil to make it fertile for the next year, bringing luck and prosperity and reminding that all people are equal, regardless of status. It is often hidden somewhere in the nativity scene and children like to look for it.
But for many children, the main bearers of gifts are not Santa Claus or Jesus Christ, but the Three Kings (Reyes Magos), who arrive on January 6. On January 5, there are traditionally large parades through the cities, where the kings scatter tons of candy, and on the morning of January 6, children find presents. If they were naughty, they could get coal instead of presents - but it's actually black sugar.
In recent years, under the influence of other countries, the 24th-25th is also celebrated more. December, but Three Kings remains the most important Christmas days in Spain.
Christmas in Spain is not just about one day, it is a marathon of celebrations that lasts from mid-December until January 6th. If you are expecting a quiet holiday in front of the TV, Spain will lead you astray - it is a time full of noise, traditions and bizarreness.
Did you know that…. On New Year's Eve, the Spanish don't eat sandwiches, but 12 balls of grape wine? With each stroke of the midnight bell, they must eat one marble to ensure good luck in each month of the coming year.
