Korrekturen

Christmas is over, the garlands have been packed away, and the holidays are already behind us.

But, in order to finish this period of lights and emotion in a nice way, I offer you a journey into the Spanish Christmas traditions: Everything starts at the beginning of December.

As in lots of other countries, the cities get dressed with lights and people put Christmas trees, Nativity scenes and wreaths in the houses.

December 22 marks the beginning of the celebrations.

It’s the day of the drawing of the big Christmas lottery, which is very famous in Spain and which millions of people participate in every year.

Then comes the Christmas dinner (Noche Buena) on the evening of December 24, where all the family comes together to enjoy typical dishes like suckling pig, lamb, turkey, seafood, turrón (Spanish nougat), marzipan and polvorones (little Christmas cakes).

Christmas has a limited importance in Spain, the biggest celebration taking place on January 6 for the Three Kings Day.

But even so, Santa Claus comes to the houses and leaves a little present for the nice children.

Christmas meals continue on December 25, and then we take a break until New Year’s Eve.

On December 28 people celebrate the Santos Inocentes (Innocent Saints), the Spanish version of April’s Fools Day, with pranks and jokes made by the children (and not only…) On December 31 comes New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja) which is celebrated with another family dinner and finishes with the tradition of eating twelve grapes following the twelve ringing that announce the beginning of the New Year.

The last (and most important) celebration is the one of the Three Kings Day that has in Spain the same importance as Christmas in other countries.

It’s usual to go and watch the parade that is organised in almost every city and village in the country on January 5, and then to go sleep while the Three Wise Men come to deliver presents in the houses.

In the morning of January 6, people wake up to open the presents, enjoy with all the family the traditional Roscón de los Reyes and finish the holidays in a merry way.