We want to celebrate Christmas, but do you know which the are Spanish Christmas customs? Whether it is your new or future home, or just to know, we bring you here the most famous rites in the Christmas season. You can start celebrating like a whole countryman!
The Christmas lights
Madrid is known for the custom of placing a large lighting decoration in all major avenues of the city. The main attraction is the tree of lights in the Puerta del Sol and the sphere of light between Calle Alcalá and Gran Via. It also has music to make a whole show. Every year the motifs change, so that every year it is a surprise for all the locals and tourists.
Christmas Tree
Although the Christmas tree is not an originally Spanish tradition, it has been adopted to put it in the houses, whether natural, plastic, small or big trees. Spaniards usually take the holidays of the beginning of December (the feast of the Immaculate and the Constitution) to decorate the tree and have it ready for Christmas.
Nativity or birth
The installation of the nativity scene in Spain is one of the most deeply rooted traditions for Christmas. This is the representation of the birth of baby Jesus according to the Catholic church. The nativity scenes can be made up of basic figures (the child, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph) or there are more elaborated ones that include more actors and even the installation of an entire village.
Nougat and marzipan
When we think of Christmas, we think of food, and Spain is not an exception. Among the culinary traditions for this time of year, we find the nougat and marzipan. The first one is a mixture of honey and almonds and it can be hard or soft. The second one is a mass of baked almonds which can be molded to give it the shape you prefer.
The day of the Holy Innocents
December 28th is the day of the commemoration of innocent saints and people are used to make jokes that day. In fact, stores usually have a department dedicated to these items during the Christmas season. No one is left without making (or getting) a joke!
The 12 Grapes of New Year’s Eve
To receive the new year, Spanish people have the customs to say farewell and make wishes. They eat one grape for each bell at 12:00 midnight on December 31th. The real challenge is to eat 12 in 12 seconds, can you?
Churros and chocolate on January 1st
Even that to eat churros with chocolate you don’t need a special occasion, it’s a tradition to get them and eat it on January 1st as the breakfast of the new year. What better way to start the day (and the year) than with one of the Spanish delights?
The Three Kings Parade
And although we already talked about this topic in our blog, the Three Kings’ Parade is one of the most typical Spanish events. Every locality organizes its own parade and you will be able to see it on January 5th. In the parade you can see the 3 Three Kings who, according to history, gave gifts to the baby Jesus for his birth, and now they bring gifts to the children on January 6th.
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