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.