Las Navidades en España
Las Navidades = Christmas Period The Christmas period in Spain goes on from about the 13 th December until the 6 th January. During this period all the shops have their Christmas decorations and the atmosphere everywhere is festive
el 13 de Diciembre It is Saint Lucia’s day and it signals the start of the Christmas period Traditional Christmas markets are set up, where you can buy Christmas trees, holly, misletoe, all that you need to decorate the Christmas tree, the house and to make the all important Nativity Scenes.
Luces callejeras = Street lights Street lights appear all over the towns just like so many other places in the world
El Belén = Nativity Scene This is traditionally the most important decoration in houses and towns. They try to recreate the life in villages at the time when Jesus was born, although scenes are not always true to the story.
El Belén en casa = Nativity scenes in the house The sizes of these nativity scenes can vary enormously. Families can compete to see who makes the best, most intricate, most lavish, biggest, brightest ones
Nativity scene always has: El Nacimiento = The Crib AND Los Tres Reyes Magos = The Three Wise Men, The Three Kings, or The Magi.
Normally “Los Tres Reyes Magos” will be placed at opposite ends from the crib. From the 24 th December they will be made to advance little by little until they arrive at the crib on 6 th January.
El Belén en la ciudad = Nativity Scene in the town It is very common to see Nativity Scenes in towns. Again they vary in sizes, and in some the statues can be life size. You can also see living ones.
El árbol de Navidad = the Christmas Tree This tradition has only been added in the last few decades and it is continuing to grow among the households in Spain.
El 22 de Diciembre EL GORDO = THE FAT ONE The biggest lottery around …….. It was first intoduced in Spain in Prizes total 1.8 billion Euros AND CHILDREN START THEIR HOLIDAY
Los niños del Colegio San Ildefonso - Madrid
El lote de Navidad = Christmas Hamper Traditionally every employer gives each employee a hamper, varying in contents and sizes
El aguinaldo = Christmas pay Employees are paid double that month to help them with the expense.
Los villancicos = Christmas Carols Spanish traditional carols are very different to English ones. Of course we also have Jingle Bells, Silent Night and others sung in Spanish
La Zambomba Traditional Christmas instrument to sing carols
La nochebuena = Christmas’ eve Family and extended family get together for a special dinner Food varies from region to region although turkey, goose or chicken is normally present
El turrón = traditional Christmas Sweet
La Misa del Gallo = Midnight Mass
Los regalos de Navidad = Christmas presents This is NOT necessarily the main date for presents. It varies how few or how many presents are given on this date, if at all.
Papá Noël = Father Christmas If presents are given, they are either given in the night of the 24 th December OR in the morning of the 25 th December
El 25 de diciembre ¡Feliz Navidad! Happy Christmas! A repetition of Christmas Eve
el 28 de diciembre El Día de los Inocentes = Fools Day Newspapers, TV, and everyone participates in playing some kind of prank. Kids might hang paper men on people’s backs in the street
el 31 de diciembre La Nochevieja = New Year’s Eve Many people see the New Year at home and then go out to parties Some will go out to restaurants or discos and see the new year there WHEREVER………..
They will eat 12 grapes (one per chime) to bring them good luck and then have a toast with “cava” - sparkling wine produced in Spain
¡Feliz Año Nuevo! Happy New Year! The whole family gathers to celebrate the New Year
Los Reyes Magos = The Three Kings Traditionally, once the Christmas festivities are over people can concentrate on present buying. On the 6 th of January we give presents to remember that The Three Kings gave presents to Baby Jesus.
Stores enlist the presence of the Three Kings so that children can give them their letters. The Three Kings will bring the children the presents for which they ask.
El 5 de enero La cabalgata de Los Reyes Magos = The procession of the Three Kings
There is a procession in each town It signifies that The Three Kings have arrived in town from Orient loaded with the toys the children have asked for. They also throw loads of sweets to the expecting children
El 6 de enero ¡Feliz Día de Reyes! Happy Epiphany! Children wake up to presents They will also have sweets if they have been good and coal if they have been bad They will then go round to extended family to give and receive more presents
Families will gather to celebrate the day with a meal The traditional Three Kings ring will be eaten for dessert Inside there is a figure of a king and a bean. Whoever gets the figure will have good luck but whoever gets the bean will have bad luck
Christmas festivities are finished Children go back to School on the 8 th January The SALES start