Spanish Christmas

Although in recent years the Anglo-Saxon tradition of Father Christmas is gaining ground in Christmas customs of purely Mediterranean origin, the following traditions continue to play an important role in celebrating the Spanish festive season.

The combination of both traditions means that the Spanish enjoy the Christmas period for a much longer length of time than their European neighbours, starting on the 24th of December with Christmas Eve and ending on the 6th of January with the celebration of “the three Kings”.

In reference to festive icons, the Santa Claus figure and the Christmas tree unite with the representation of the three Wise Men and the traditional nativity scene. There are many Spanish families who choose to celebrate the two customs together, as it is easy to find many homes where next to the Christmas tree a nativity scene can be found ( these are usually figurines that represent Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus). Also present giving is divided between Christmas Eve and the eve of the Three Kings, which takes place on the 5th of January.

The same happens in the decoration of streets and squares of all the cities and towns along the Spanish peninsular, with large trees crammed with coloured lights and striking nativity scenes can be seen in miniature of the Holy Family celebrating the birth of Christ accompanied by the three kings, shepherds and so on.

Many of these nativity scenes are considered true works of art, as in the case of the “Belén de Salzillo” or Salzillo’s Nativity; an extensive collection of figurines that date back to the 18th century. This was created by the Murcian sculptor, Francsico Salzillo and has been perfectly preserved throughout time and can be seen at the Salzillo museum in the city of Murcia (www.museosalzillo.es).

Other nativity scenes, although some not quite as old as that of Salzillo but nevertheless still spectacular, are displayed in Spanish villages and towns during the festive season.

Christmas Eve in Spain, as in most western cultures, is a family reunion where everybody gathers for a good meal mainly consisting of seafood dishes followed by lamb. Practising Catholics will end the evening by going to midnight mass.

Christmas dinner is equally important and is also celebrated amongst family. In the regions of the Costa Blanca and Murcia the typical dish of this day is “Cocido con Pelotas”, a stew made with meat, chickpeas and meatballs. Desserts usually consist of “turrones” or nougat and marzipan, both with Arabic origins made with a base of almonds and honey.

The celebration of New Year’s Eve in Spain is characterized by the festive atmosphere and the grapes that accompany the twelve chimes that signal the New Year. Whether you celebrate at home with the family, go to an organised New Year’s Eve party or simply go out onto the street to enjoy the festivities, you have to follow the tradition of eating grapes. That means you have to eat one grape for every clock chime that marks midnight of the 31st of December and the start of a new year.

One of the most special events at Christmastime in Spain is the “Cabalgata de Reyes” or the Twelfth Night Procession which is held on the eve of the Epiphany, the 5th of January. The Three Kings originate from the time of Jesus’ birth and offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Nowadays the religious popularity of these figures allow children to think that there behaviour is being monitored and that these beings are depending on it, the Three Kings will bring gifts once a year, on the eve of the 6th of January.

It is difficult to find a Spanish town without their own Twelfth Night Procession and that of Alcoy, Alicante is the oldest in the world and is considered an international tourist attraction. The celebrations start on the 4th of January with a speech from the royal ambassador who announces the arrival of their royal majesties from the east; Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar. Children go to listen to them and to post their letters to the Three Kings in saddlebags carried by donkeys pulled by the kings’ pages. That night the Three Kings will read all of the children’s letters before delivering the toys the following day. On the 5th of January, their Majesties finally travel around the streets of Alcoy riding camels and accompanied by all of their royal entourage: pages, shepherds and so on… More than a thousand people take part in the parade. The pages climb up the front of the houses, helped by huge ladders and they share out gifts to all the children in the city. The parade is accompanied by melodies especially written for this occasion and interpreted by three of town’s music bands.

El Día de Reyes or “King’s Day” has its own dessert, the “Roscón de Reyes” a ring shaped cake decorated with slices of crystallized fruit in a variety of colours and eaten with a cup of hot chocolate. The Cake is famous because during its preparation a small gift and a dry bean are hidden inside. Tradition dictates that whoever is lucky enough to find the surprise will be crowned king of the house, which is why all “roscones” are sold with a golden crown made of card. However the person who finds the bean will be punished by having to pay for the roscón!

As you may appreciate, Christmas in Spain has its own special flavour, full of traditions, age old customs mixed with those more modern but all are equally attractive and interesting. This article has only mentioned a small part of these but the idiosyncrasy and the cultural richness of this country means that in every corner of the map of Spain we find unusual variants of the aforementioned celebrations.

Whether you decide to see for yourself what Christmas is like in Spain or choose to spend the festive season at home, we would like to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.