Spain celebrates several Christmas traditions including eating 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve for good luck, the Christmas lottery called "El Gordo" held each year on December 22nd, and Saint Stephen's Day on December 26th when families gather for lunch. The Day of the Innocents on December 28th is like April Fool's Day with tricks played. On January 6th, families eat "King's Cake" which sometimes contains a figurine of a king or bean inside determining who pays for next year's cake. Catalans have the tradition of the "Caga Tio" or Christmas log that children hit with sticks hoping for gifts.

1. CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
IN OUR COUNTRY

2. New Year’s Eve
It is a celebration around the world. It is celebrated at 00:00 on
the 1st of January, it means that a new year has begun. In
Spain when the clock strikes twelve we eat twelve grapes, one
every second. Then we toast for the new year.

3. El gordo: Spain’s Christmas lottery
The tradition started in 1812. It is
celebrated every year on
December 22. It is
very popular and known
around the
world.

4. Saint Stephen day is celebrated the day after
Christmas in three communities in Spain. Friends
and family join for lunch. It’s typical to eat
Canelloni and a meat meal called “Escudella”.

5. Day of the innocents
It is Spain’s version of April Fools day but it
takes place on December 28. In the past,
children used to go from door to door asking
for sweets. Bakers used to put salt in their
cakes on this day to tease children. Now we
do tricks like sticking paper cut-outs on
people’s backs.

6. King's twist
It is a Christmas cake that is eaten with the
family on 6th January. Roscón means 'roll
of ring shape', it is very tasty.
It is a cake made with cream or chocolate,
candied fruit and sponge cake. Inside
there is a king and a bean. If your piece
contains the bean, you have to pay it the
following year. If it contains the king, you
are the king and you get a paper crown.
“TORTELL DE REIS”

7. “CAGA TIÓ” (CHRISTMAS LOG)
“Caga tio” is Catalan tradition. The tió is a little trunk . Children hit it with a stick and then
the tió gives them gifts.
Ivan
Sergio

8. Santa Claus Run
It is celebrated on December 17.
It’s a charity run. People dress as
Santa Claus.

9. Manger
Christians decorate houses and squares with a model about
the birth of Jesus. In the manger there are Saint Joseph, Virgin
Mary, Jesus, a donkey
and an ox and sometimes an
angel, shepherds and the three
kings.

10. The christmas tree is a decoration object, it is
decorated with colorful lights, Christmas balls,
ornaments or bows.
CHRISTMAS TREE
HISTORY
Its history begins when Christians in north of
Europe discovered that the barbars celebrated
the birthday of their God by decorating a
perennial tree.