christmas in spain
TRANSCRIPT
IES MARÍA DE MOLINA
CHRISTMAS IN SPAIN
IES MARÍA DE MOLINA
24 CHRISTMAS EVE
The first big family gathering takes place on the 24, but, before that, the real Spanish Christmas kicks off on the 22nd with “El Gordo” (The Fat One): the biggest lottery drawing which takes nearly four hours and is broadcast live in the morning.
The Fat One (2014)
The fortunate winners appear on TV drinking Champagne, while the rest of us watch them “jealously”.
IES MARÍA DE MOLINA
24 CHRISTMAS EVE
Christmas trees are traditional in Spain as a decoration, but our most traditional decorations are the Nativity Scenes that come from our Catholic background.
They are miniatures which depict life in the town where Jesus was born. They are popular in houses, churches and even in some institutions.
IES MARÍA DE MOLINA
24 CHRISTMAS EVE
Christmas carols are sung accompanied by traditional instruments such as the “zambomba” (a type of seasonal drum), the “carraca” (a ratchet like noisemaker), the tambourine and the guitar.
ZambombaCarraca
Tambourine (pandereta)
Guitar
IES MARÍA DE MOLINA
24 CHRISTMAS EVE
“Nochebuena” or Christmas Eve is the main family gathering. People usually meet with friends in bars for a few drinks before having dinner.
The menu varies in different parts of Spain and family traditions, but what is found in every house is “turrón” and “polvorones”, typical Christmas sweets, and also “Cava”, which is the Spanish Champaign.
Children may receive a Christmas present from Father Christmas due to the American influence, although that is not a Spanish tradition.
Polvorones
Turrón
After dinner, some very religious families go to Midnight Mass (“Misa del Gallo” -mass of the rooster)
IES MARÍA DE MOLINA
28th Holy Innocents (“Los Santos Inocentes”) is our
April Fool’s Day. People play practical jokes on one
another; there is always a fake piece of news in
newspapers or on TV news, but we are expecting it.
New Year’s Eve (“Nochevieja”) is a big celebration all over Spain. People tend to have dinner at home and, after midnight, they go out to celebrate in the streets, pubs or clubs.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
IES MARÍA DE MOLINA
NEW YEAR’S EVE
When the clock in La Puerta del Sol in Madrid strikes 12, we eat 12 grapes, one on each stroke, to bring good luck to the New Year.
Puerta del Sol in Madrid
Some people wear red underwear as well. After the grapes, we drink a glass of Cava and wish everybody happy New Year.
IES MARÍA DE MOLINA
5th-6th JANUARY
“Los Reyes Magos” is the most exciting night for children. They have written letters to the Magi (The Three Kings/Wise Men from the Bible), in which they tell them how well they have behaved and ask for gifts.
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5th-6th JANUARY
There are parades in every single town -5th January-. Families come out to watch as the Three Wise Men parade on camels, horses or floats, depending on the city, throw sweets to the children and tell them to have an early night.
IES MARÍA DE MOLINA
5th-6th JANUARY
This is the Feast of the Epiphany (“Día de los Reyes Magos) -6th January-, when the Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem. For Spanish children this is the most important day of the year, when they wake up to find that Los Reyes Magos have left gifts for them in their houses… a nice present if you have behaved and a piece of coal if you haven’t.
IES MARÍA DE MOLINA