Navidad

CHRISTMAS IN SPAIN - LA NAVIDAD Navidad comes from “natividad” which means nativity. Christmas in Spain is not as commercialised as in England and the build up does not start until much later (usually mid December). It is still a very important religious festivity and the most important aspect is to get together with the family and going to church. It is not traditional to exchange gifts on Christmas Day but this is changing. The correct word for a Xmas card is “tarjeta de Navidad”. Cards are only sent to close family members. And the greeting usually written inside is “Feliz Navidad” or “Felices Pascuas”. Pascua means literally Easter, but it has become the accepted word for any religious festivity. “Felices fiestas” is like saying “season’s greetings”.  Christmas trees are as popular as in the Uk, and the real ones are still very much appreciated. They are usually sold in Xmas markets along with other decorations and the “belen” (nativity scene). Most families have a “belen” on display in their home. There is usually some public displays in every town, city and village. And inside most churches too. Christmas Eve is “la nochebuena” and it is traditional to have a meal with the family at dinner time and it is still very popular to go to Midnight Mass “la misa del gallo”. The most beautiful of these candlelight services is held at the monastery of Montserrat, high in the mountain near Barcelona, which is highlighted by a boy's choir describes as performing the Mass in "one pure voice."  On Christmas day the most important event is the family meal. It used to be stuffed turkey, but these days you could have any other roast. After the meal the typical Spanish Christmas sweets are served to accompany the coffee. The most popular one is “turron” which is a nougat-like sweet made with almonds and honey. This is the original variety that was introduced by the Arabs during the Moorish occupation. These days you can buy them in all sort of flavours, including chocolate. Other common sweets are “polvorones” (made with almonds, dry and very sweet) and “mazapan” (marzipan). The typical drink during this period is catalan cava, which is a Spanish sparkling wine similar to champagne. Although Papa Noel (Father Xmas) does exists and comes to bring some presents under the Xmas tree while we sleep, these presents are usually small ones. Boxing Day (San Esteban) is a bank holiday in Catalonia only. NEW YEAR - AÑO NUEVO In the evening of New Year’s Eve (la Nochevieja) most families eat together at home before going out to a party. Most celebrations usually start about 11pm and will go on till 7 or 8 in the morning.  Just before midnight everyone lines up 12 grapes and a grape is eaten for each stroke of the clock at 12am. Each grape is supposed to represent one month of the new year. It is good luck when you can eat them all. Then there are kisses and hugs and everyone wishes each other “Feliz Año Nuevo” or “Próspero Año Nuevo”. LOS REYES MAGOS  The main difference between the Spanish Christmas period and the British version is the importance of the 5th and 6th of January. So the Spanish Christmas holiday continues for a further week. This is to celebrate epiphany, when the Three Wise Men (Melchior, Gaspar and Baltasar) went to Betlehem to pay homage to the baby Jesus. On the night of the 5th January everywhere in Spain there is a celebration of “Reyes Magos” with a procession known as “La Cabalgata de Reyes”. This is a parade that symbolises that religious chapter, where the main characters are the Three Wise Men who go around the town on a float and shower the children with sweets to re-enact the bearing of gifts. On returning home, children get the presents that the “Reyes Magos’ helpers” have distributed while they were watching the parade. It is then when traditionally the major presents are exchanged but it is mostly confined to children. However this is starting to change in recent years. There are two reasons for it: one is that most children are usually back to school either the 7th or 8th January and they don’t have much time to enjoy the presents; the other one is the influence through films of the American “Santa Claus”, and children are expecting to get their presents at Christmas. The festive period ends on 6th January when there is one final family meal. “El roscon de Reyes” is a traditional dessert. This is a large, round bun baked with candied fruits and 2 small objects hidden inside: a coin or figure and a white bean. Who finds the coin/figure is named king of the party, while who finds the white bean gets to pay the bun (but it is also said it will give you good luck for the rest of the year! ) ¡¡¡FELIZ NAVIDAD y PRÓSPERO AÑO NUEVO!!!