Holiday greetings from sunny Spain! Feliz Navidad
The Christmas season is a big deal throughout the Spanish-speaking world. It’s a great time to learn more about the special words and traditions we use at this time of year.
I’ve compiled a short list of useful terms and traditions so you can keep practicing your Spanish, and learn more about La Navidad.
- Nochebuena: We celebrate the 24th at night with a big feast, usually at our grandparents’ home. We’ll eat more during la nochebuena than during any other night of the year. Árboles de navidad (Christmas trees) and belenes (Nativity scenes) are seen in every Spanish house. After dinner, the whole family likes to sing villancicos (Christmas carols).
- We have some very special desserts that are served just in this season. Here in Spain, we enjoy turrones, mazapanes, polvorones, mantecados. The main course at dinner is usually pavo relleno (turkey). After this, there is always a brindis (toast), with cava (
sparkling wine) sidra (cider) or champán (champagne).
- Navidad: We call December 25th Navidad. It’s the most important religious day of the year. Throughout Spain, with our country’s strong Catholic tradition, many churches offer special misas (masses) on this day. There is an extra special misa at 00:00, called Misa del Gallo (Rooster mass), when Jesus’ birth is worshiped.
Nochevieja: This is a very special and fancy night in Spain, where we go all out! We celebrate la nochevieja with another big dinner (again!), and then with the tradition of las doce uvas (12 grapes). We have them synchronized with Puerta del Sol, one every one second. Each grape gives us good luck for each month in the year to come.- Día de Reyes (Three Wise Men’ Day): This starts on January 5th at night, when good children receive their regalos (presents) from Melchor, Gaspar y Baltasar. They are the Three Wise Men who gave special presents to newborn Jesus in Belem. They come in camellos (camels), for whom Spanish moms place water and milk next for them to recuperate from their long journey. For the Reyes Magos themselves, they give Roscón de Reyes, a delicious Christmas cake, prepared only during this time of the year.
One of the most famous songs for this time of year is Mecano’s Un año más (One more year), about the year to expire.
Best regards for you. I hope you have a wonderful time with your loved ones.