1. Christmas in Spain
In Spain, the 22 of December, all children are in his houses because they are the holiday
of Christmas.
In this time, is usually decorates the
houses with the “nacimiento”, we put
a small manger where Jesús was born
with María and Jose, your parents, a
mule and a bullock to warm the
child. The people of Belén, pastors,
bakers… visit the child too and the
three wise men that give gold,
frankincense and myrrh to Jesús.
The day of birth is celebrate the 24 of
December, Christmas Eve, all
families, parents, cousin,
grandparents… meet and have dinner a typical food of these dates, lombard, shellfish
and turkey. Finally we toast with champagne and sing carols. At midnight we go to
church where is celebrate “la misa del gallo” in honor of the birth of Jesús.
The 25 of December it´s Christmas and the people have eat nougat and have fun with
the families and friends.
A few days later, the 31 of December,
is the last day of the year. The families
and friends meet and have dinner
again. Twelve to five p.m many
people have a plate with twelve grapes
because at twelve o´clock p.m in the
television, radio or in the Puerta del
Sol of Madrid the twelve chimes ring
and we eat one of grape for each of
them. When we eat the grape number
twelve is the new year, we toast with
champagne and we go out to celebrate.
On the following days, the children look forward to arrive of the three wise men,
Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar that the 5 of January walk all the street of Spain, greet
and pick the letters of children where they write the gifts to want in this night.
The 6 of January, the people open your gifts to enjoy them the last days of Christmas.
María del Amo
Felipe.