Christmas Traditions

Spain is a much more religious or practicing country than France. Christmas time appears to be much more similar to how it goes in the states, but with a few essential differences.

1. Santa Claus is nothing compared to the "Three Magic Kings." For the Spanish, yes, it is a big deal that Christ was born on the 25th. The 24th (called "Noche Buena," or "the Good Night" in Spanish) and the 25th ("Noel") are both celebrated with family and food. Santa also commonly brings one present for children the night of the 24th, but the big gift giving event is on January 6th, the supposed date of the arrival of the three kings to the manger. Technically, it makes much more sense. The three kings traveled from afar to bring gifts to the baby Jesus....plus, three people can bring more gifts than just one! Walking down the street, you can thus see a few stuff Santa Claus dolls hanging out side windows, appearing to be climbing through the window; however, there are many more three little men hanging one after the other.

2. Grapes at midnight. At midnight on "The Old Night" (aka New Year's Eve), Spanish tradition says you stuff a grape into your mouth with every stroke of the clock. Meaning you end up with 12 (seeded--they don't have seedless grapes here) grapes in your mouth and everyone looks ridiculous trying to eat so much at once. You end up with grape juice all over your face as you do the usual cheek kisses to wish everyone a happy new year.

3. They party bigger. I would say a typical night out in the states ends around 2 or 3am as bars close. Here on a Sunday morning, walking to church at 11:30, it is almost sure that I will cross some young adults still out from the night before, having just left the bar or (depending on my route) still hanging around outside the bar they ended up spending their last few hours in. As such, for New Years the party can last days. And you are shaking your head in disbelief saying, "Those crazy young Spaniards," but it's not just the young ones that party it up. Grandparents likewise make it out to clubs to dance and drink; the adult generations have their own bars and clubs they frequent and keep very much in business on weekends and for holidays. I doubt I know anyone who will finish their New Year's Eve celebration before 6am on January 1st.

4. Christmas break is longer. If you've been following along then this should be a "no duh" point, but I'll spell it out for you: as the Three Magic Kings come on January 6th, obviously they're not going to recommence school on January 4th or 5th. Christmas break this year lasts until January 9th.