2. THE CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS-SPAIN
Christmas Presents
Spanish tradition has it that the Three Kings, los Reyes Magos, are the ones who
on the morning of January 6th, el Día de Reyes, bear presents for all the children,
they changed the ritual by Papa Noel because they said that the children so had
more time to play with gifts.
Most Spanish people keep their fingers crossed for a Christmas windfall, courtesy
of the world-renowned lottery draw, El Gordo, literally The Fat One. This is a long,
drawn-out event that unfolds on the morning of December 22nd.
As the top prizes come out, TV and radio coverage centres on the search for the
many winners and for the particular lottery shop where the winning ticket was
bought.
3. CHRISTMAS-SPAIN
Food and Drink
Christmas sweets are the main seasonal staple. The nougat, is essential.
The marzipan figurines, are also popular, together with los polvorones, soft crumbly
cakes made with lard, flour and cinammon.
The main meal takes place on Christmas Eve, la Nochebuena, and consists of a
major dish of meat or seafood, such as lamb or cod, which varies according to the
region or the family's preferences.
The 'lucky grapes', are the law on New Year's Eve, - literally 'Old Night'. A tradition
introduced in the early 20th century, it's said to bring good luck if at each stroke of
the bells at midnight you take one grape and make one wish, for the New Year.
4. CHRISTMAS-SPAIN
Quirky Customs
Celebrations stretch from December 22nd, when the big lottery draw takes place, to
January 6th, when the presents are unwrapped. Then, between Christmas Eve and
New Year's Eve, there's still time to fit in another celebration. The equivalent of April's
Fools Day takes place in Spain on December 28th, Holy Innocents' day.
Nativity scenes with figurines are laid out on a table at home, with no limit to their
degree of elaboration. Life-size figures are also on display in public squares and there
are silent, living representations in public halls.
But in Cataluña there's a surprising addition to the crib: el caganer, which means, for
want of a more offensive translation, the defecating shepherd.
5. CHRISTMAS-FRENCH
Christmas Presents
In some parts of France, Christmas comes early when Father Christmas, brings small
gifts and sweets for children on December 6th, the feast day of Saint-Nicolas
(celebrated in the North and Northeast).
In other parts of the country, children place their shoes by the fire and wake up on
Christmas Day to find them filled with presents from le Père Noël and fruit, nuts and
small toys hanging on the tree. Christmas Day is mainly a day of celebration for
children.
While they all open their Christmas presents, on this day, not all parents do - some are
patient and wait until New Year's Eve, la Saint-Sylvestre, which is more of an adult
celebration.
6. CHRISTMAS-FRENCH
Food and Drink
After Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve people gather at home or in a restaurant for a
feast called le réveillon.
This usually consists of oysters, snails, seafood, smoked salmon, or le caviar as a
starter, followed by goose, or some other roasted bird for the main course, all washed
down with wine.
8. CHRISTMAS-GERMAN
Christmas Presents
Christmas starts early in Germany. On the night of December 5th-6th, St. Nicholas Day,
children leave their shoes or boots outside the front door.
That night, Santa Claus, visits and fills them with chocolates, oranges and nuts if
they’ve been good. Nikolaus also has a sidekick, in the form of his servant Knecht
Ruprecht, who leaves bundles of twigs in the shoes if the children have been naughty
and are listed in his ‘black book’.
In some parts of the country, it’s believed the Christ Child, das Christkind sends a
messenger on Christmas Eve, an angel in a white robe and crown, bearing gifts.
There's also a figure called der Weihnachtsmann, who looks like Santa Claus and also
brings presents.
In some homes, it's traditional for parents to prepare a room for Christmas and then lock
it up. A bell is rung as a signal for children to enter the room where they are delighted to
find the tree lit up with presents awaiting them underneath it. There are also fruit, nuts,
marzipan, chocolate and biscuits to eat, carols are sung, the Christmas story is read
and children open their presents.
9. CHRISTMAS-GERMAN
Food and Drink
The Germans often have special baking evenings for making spiced cakes, cookies
and gingerbread houses. The German Christmas tree pastry, das Christbaumgebäck,
is a white dough which is moulded into shapes and baked to make tree decorations.
On Christmas Eve, there's an evening feast, generally of carp and potato salad - meat
is avoided for religious reasons.
On Christmas Day the family tucks into suckling pig or roasted goose, white sausage,
macaroni salad, and regional dishes, der Christstollen, long loaves of bread with nuts,
raisins, lemon and dried fruit, der Lebkuchen, ginger spice cookies, das Marzipan and
der Dresdner Stollen, a moist, heavy bread filled with fruit and marzipan.
10. CHRISTMAS-GERMAN
Quirky Customs
Germans know it's New Year's Eve when they watch a short British cabaret sketch from
the 1920s on primetime TV. Strangely, 'Dinner for One or the 90th Birthday' has become
a German New Year's tradition, even though it is unknown in Britain, where it was
created!
