Feliz Navidad
"Merry Christmas" (Happy Natitvity)
|
 |
On 21 December, Hogueras (bonfires) are lit to mark the winter solstice. It is traditional for people to jump over the flames for good luck. This fire-jumping is very popular in Granada and Jaen. |
| |
Christmas Eve is called La Noche Buena which means The Blessed Night. |
| |
Christmas dinner is eaten after midnight. They eat 'Pavo Trufado de Navidad' which is Christmas turkey served with truffles. |
| |
The traditional day for presents is not 25th December but instead Dia de Reyes (day of the kings) on 6th January. |
| |
Father Christmas does not give presents to the children. Instead the Three Wise Men - Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar - who bring Christmas presents to children during the night of Twelfth Night (5th January). |
| |
Twelfth Night is called Noche de Reyes (Night of Kings), children place their shoes on the doorstep or near a window and fill them with carrots and barley to feed the camels of the three wise men on their way to visit the baby Jesus. During the night, the Wise Men arrive and fill the children's shoes with small gifts and sweets. |
|
5th January - Cavalcades (Twelfth Night Parades)
Every year , on the evening of January
5th, the famous Cavalcades take to
the streets. The Three wise men throw sweets,
confetti and gifts into the crowds.
|
| |
6th January - Roscón de Reyes
Families in Spain eat the “Roscón de Reyes” as a dessert on 6th Januaryto celebrate the arrival of the 3 Wise Men. It´s made of flour, butter, eggs, salt, lemon, and orange Blossom water, and is decorated it with some crystallyzed fruits. |
| |
On New Years Eve, Spanish
families gather and
celebrate with a big lunch. They eat
“embutidos” (sausage), other cold meats and chees. For dessert they eat traditional
sweets such as “mantecados” and “turrón” (a kind of nougat made of almonds) and chocolate. At
midnight they celebrate the new year with a glass of champagne and eat 12 grapes. They eat the twelve grapes, one by one, keeping time with the clock as it strikes midnight.
|
|
Advent
Calendar - Day 15
