Christmas in Spain

Spain’s traditions during the Christmas season revolve around many of the same activities as in the rest of the world. Just like anywhere else, families in Spain gather together to enjoy and celebrate. Whatever the case the goal is to enjoy a few moments and share in the spirit of giving, kindness, and goodwill. The elements of this exchange are very similar among all cultures: food, drink, song, dance, the exchanging of gifts, and other acts of generosity. But in Spain, Christmas is also a very unique holiday, with beautiful traditions and customs that reflect the true character of the Spanish people. I also noticed that Christmas in Spain still maintains a far more religious aspect then the commercial event it has become in so many other countries.

One symbol of Christmas that still maintains much importance throughout Spain is the Nativity scene. These scenes occupy plazas in cities and small towns throughout the country, and can also be seen in the doorways and entrances of many Spanish homes, as well in storefront windows, and they can be quite elaborate. In many small towns, La Palma included, during the nights just before Christmas, plazas have a live Nativity scene, with actors and actresses playing the parts of Mary and Joseph and the three wise men as well as live animals that are often associated with the birth of Christ, like lambs, sheep, and donkeys.

On December 22, two important events take place. Students are released from school for their winter vacations (like I mentioned in my previous entries), and perhaps more importantly, they announce the winning number of the famous Christmas Lottery in Spain. This lottery, by far the biggest in Spain, is a tradition practiced by many people who long to win the grand prize, which would make them instantly rich. This tradition is deeply embedded in these holidays, dating back to 1763, when Carlos III initiated it. Since then, not one year has passed without it, and it now is the symbolic moment in which Spaniards begin to celebrate the Christmas holidays. All the teachers I work with talk about the lottery obsessively until it passes. Kind of a strange tradition. I didn’t buy a lottery ticket..

Christmas Eve in Spain, called “Nochebuena”, just like in many parts of the world, is celebrated with two very important traditions, eating an enormous and decadent meal with family, and going to Christmas mass. I was welcomed into Guadalupe and her famiy’s home for the holidays. I have spent a great deal of time with Guadalupe and her husband Juan in the last few months and I have become close with their two children Lara and Juan. Lara is 18 and attends the University of Sevilla and Juan is 20 and attends the University of Cadiz. Guadalupe is also one of four daughters who have also raised their families in La Palma. When the whole family is together is reminds me of holidays at home. It was a great experience spending such a celebrated holiday in another country and I was thrilled to be spending it with a family that I am growing close to.



There is a wide variety of typical foods one might find on plates across Spain on this night and even more interesting is each region has its own distinct specialties. Among typical dishes served on Christmas Eve and during the days that follow are ham and seafood in Andalucia. I am learning about the enormous variety of seafood that exists in this country, including shrimp, lobster, crab, and various types of fish like hake, trout, sea bream, sea bass, and salmon.

After dinner the children enjoy the gifts that they have received from “Papa Noel”, the Spanish equivalent of Santa Claus. The custom of giving gifts on this date is not as popular as in the United States because Spaniards traditionally wait until Three King’s Day to exchange gifts. I was included in the gift giving and received some very thoughtful presents.