Felíz Navidad

Spain celebrates Christmas in 3 parts:- 1. “Nochebuena” Christmas Eve 2. “Los Reyes” Three Kings Day 3.New Year’s Eve

1. “ Nochebuena “ (Christmas Eve) Family time at home Meal of cold seafood and cold meats Followed by baked fish and potatoes Then roast lamb or suckling pig Dessert = “túrron” (nougat with almonds) or “polvorones” ( ground almond biscuits with marzipan)

Children receive only one present on Christmas Eve At midnight, people go to church for midnight mass Most towns display a “belén” (nativity display)

2. “Los Reyes” (Three Kings Day) 6th January                                                                                                                   Children leave straw & barley in their shoes the night before to feed the camels which the Three Kings ride The Three Kings empty the shoes and leave presents

Processions in the streets and sweets are thrown Eat “Rosca del Reyes” (cake with plastic toys or charms inside)

Tradition to wear red underwear !! 3. New Year’s Eve Tradition to wear red underwear !! Fireworks and fancy dress in the evening Eat 12 grapes at midnight

Other activities in the lead-up to Christmas 8th Dec “Immaculada” (beginning of the religious celebrations 21st Dec “Hogueras” (bonfires) 22nd Dec “El Gordo” (Lottery). The largest in the world 28th Dec “Santos Inocentes” (Same as “April Fool’s Day and people play practical jokes on each other)