In the United States, Christmas is a time for family unit, friends, and giving. Americans typically celebrate Christmas on Dec 25th with a big feast and lots of presents. But, did you know that other countries have their own unique way of celebrating Christmas?

Spain is one such land. In fact, Christmas in Espana is quite a care for. Celebrations in Spain starting time equally early on as December 22nd and last until the 6th of Jan, making it 15 days of festivities! Without any exaggeration, Castilian Christmas is perhaps the well-nigh traditional, family-oriented celebration in the whole earth.

During this fourth dimension, Spaniards relish traditional Spanish food and drinks, go to church services, sing carols, and exchange gifts. Read on to learn more about the uniquely Castilian elements of Christmas!

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Essential Spanish Vocabulary for Christmas Celebrations

Earlier y'all can fully appreciate the Spanish way of celebrating Christmas, information technology helps to know some mutual words and phrases from Spanish holiday vocabulary.

The nearly important phrase to recollect is Feliz Navidad, which means Merry Christmas in Spanish and tin be literally translated as Happy Christmas.

Native

Translation

Merry Christmas!

Here are a few essential things to say or understand during your holiday season in Spain:

Native

Translation

Happy New Year!

¡Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo!

Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

Here are some useful phrases that will assistance yous go around native Spanish speakers:

Native

Translation

¡Deseo una feliz Navidad!

I wish you a merry Christmas!

¡Que tengáis buenas fiestas!

Have a neat holiday season!

¡Subamos el árbol de Navidad!

Let's put upwards the Christmas tree!

Let'southward sing a Christmas ballad!

¡La Navidad es maravillosa!

Christmas is wonderful!

And, of grade, Christmas wouldn't exist possible without these two:

Native

Translation

Santa Claus

Nearly Important Spanish Christmas Traditions and Customs

Spain is a state filled with unique and colorful traditions, and Christmas is no dissimilar. Hither are a few of the most important customs that you should know almost:

Nochebuena – Christmas Eve

On Dec 24th (Christmas Eve), Spaniards gather together for a big feast. It is an incredibly special repast called Nochebuena, and in most Castilian-speaking countries, people have keen care in preparing it.

It normally consists of a roasted turkey, served as the master dish, accompanied by several side dishes such as salad, seafood paella, white asparagus, and sautéed mushrooms. For dessert, a traditional Spanish block called bizcocho is typically served.

In add-on, you will definitely find a ready of Christmas sweets on the tabular array – Yemas de San Leandro (a dessert made with egg yolks and sugar), Roscón de Reyes (a sweet bread with a surprise within), turrón (a blazon of nougat made of toasted sweet almonds and honey), and, of course, marzipan (a traditional dessert of almond and saccharide paste).

And, of course, no Nochebuena banquet is complete without cava – a sparkling wine produced in Spain. Cava is typically served chilled and pairs well with the savory dishes that are served during Christmas Eve dinner.

Portal de Beléns - Nascence Scenes

The Portal de Beléns display is an iconic part of Spanish Christmas celebrations. Information technology'southward a traditional Birth scene equanimous of tiny figures that depict the nascency of Jesus. The figures usually include Mary and Joseph, the babe Jesus, shepherds, animals, and even the Iii Wise Men (los Reyes Magos, likewise known as The Iii Kings).

Furthermore, the traditional Nascency scene in Catalonia has an extra grapheme – the caganer, who always has his pants down taking a poop.

The Portal de Beléns is a representation of the journeying of the Iii Wise Men, and it'southward an essential office of Christmas celebrations in Spanish-speaking countries. The scene tin exist found in about every home and public identify during the Christmas period.

El Dia de los Reyes Magos – The Day of the Three Kings

January 6th is historic as El Dia de los Reyes Magos, or The Twenty-four hour period of the 3 Kings. This is the solar day that the three wise men arrived to visit Baby Jesus. On this day, children often receive gifts from the 3 kings, who bring presents for all good children in Spain.

On the evening of January 5th, children usually go out a box about their beds with hay and food for the camels of the 3 kings. When they wake up in the morn, they notice that their presents accept been replaced by new ones from the three wise men!

The Caga Tió – A Special Present Giver

The Caga Tió is a special figurine that plays an important role in Spanish Christmas celebrations. The Caga Tió (Pooping Log) is basically a log with two sticks for legs and arms, dressed up to look similar a niggling former man. He wears traditional Catalan dress – a red hat, a woolen scarf, and a belt – and is placed by the fireplace on Christmas Eve.

Traditionally, children are encouraged to requite the Caga Tió a rousing functioning of songs and dances. Afterwards, they will hit the log with sticks in order to "encourage" him to drop off – "poop out" – presents like candy, fruits, nuts, or other small gifts.

The Caga Tió is an incredibly fun custom that all Spanish children look forward to during the vacation season!

Midnight Mass

Midnight Mass is another interesting attribute of Spanish culture. Information technology'south an important religious event that takes identify in most Cosmic churches throughout Kingdom of spain on Christmas Eve. It's a beautiful way to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and it is something many Spaniards volition attend, fifty-fifty if they don't usually go to church building.

The midnight mass normally starts around xi:30 pm, and it can last up to 2 hours. During the mass, a special sermon is said, and traditional songs are sung.

Villancicos – Spanish Christmas Carols

Spanish carols, or villancicos, accept been an of import function of Castilian Christmas celebrations for centuries. Villancicos are typically sung in either grouping or solo grade during the holiday flavour equally a way to bring people together and spread festive cheer.

Villancicos come in many varieties – some are playful and humorous, while others are more solemn and religious. Some of the most well-known villancicos include:

  • A Belén pastores,
  • Ya es Navidad,
  • A las 12 de la noche,
  • Navidad, Navidad, hoy es Navidad,
  • Una pandereta suena.

Listen to a few villancicos, and you'll discover that Spanish Christmas carols can be quite blithesome and uplifting!

El Gordo – The Fat Lottery

Another traditional Christmas custom in Spain is the El Gordo – a Spanish Christmas lottery. On December 22nd, millions of Spaniards buy tickets and then assemble effectually their television to lookout the drawing. It'south a very exciting event, and many families buy multiple tickets in the hope of winning ane of the prizes!

Nearly everybody in Spain plays la Lotería de Navidad, but the second-largest depict of the year is the El Niño lottery, which takes place on January sixth – which, equally you already know, is as well The Iii Kings' Solar day.

12 Grapes on New Twelvemonth'due south Eve

On New year's day's Eve, Spaniards often follow a tradition that has been around since 1895. The tradition is to eat 12 grapes – one for each chime of the clock at midnight – while making a wish. It'southward believed that the concluding grape will bring proficient luck in the coming yr.

To make it even more than heady, many people like to eat the grapes in a particular way – they put each grape in their mouth merely before a chime and chew it at the same time. This makes for an intense but fun experience!

The Lesser Line

Spanish people take corking pride in their distinct way of celebrating Christmas, and y'all'll be sure to find plenty of joy and cheer during your vacation flavour in Spain. From the delicious food to the beautiful nativity scenes, there's naught like a Spanish Christmas!

From all of us at Langster, ¡Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo! Happy Christmas!