How do they celebrate Christmas and New Year in Spain

New Year's holidays in Spain begin with Catholic Christmas on December 24 and last until January 6, when the feast of the Three Kings is celebrated. This period is rich in interesting traditions and customs. In addition, this time coincides with the school holidays for children who always take part in the fun.

The holiday begins with New Year's garlands and belens. They appear at the end of November and everyone traditionally goes to see them. Belen is a nativity scene, scenes from the life of Christ, most often the nativity and gifts of the Magi. They can be very different, in coastal cities they are often sand figures, different every year. Also, henbanes are exhibited in shop windows, Spaniards usually have figures for the nativity scene at home, which they pass from generation to generation, just like we have Soviet Christmas tree toys.

In Spain, in the last week before Christmas, it is customary to give a lote de Navidad (Christmas basket) to employees, many companies do this. This is a basket with typical Christmas products: turron, jamon, alcohol (bottles of wine and champagne). Depending on the company, it can be just a bottle of wine or just sweets, or maybe a whole jamon leg. Or a huge basket of everything. This is a very old tradition, it used to be done so that workers had festive food for Christmas.

Loteria de Navidad is the oldest and largest lottery in the world with a grand prize of 4 million Euro. Every Spaniard considers it his duty to buy a ticket, even those who usually don’t. Therefore, standing in line for a lucky ticket is also a mandatory entertainment program. The drawing usually takes place on December 22.

On December 24, Nochebuena (blessed night, Christmas Eve) is celebrated. This is usually a crowded, noisy and delicious family dinner. Depending on the region, this or that dish is served as the main one: in Madrid – consomme soup, in Catalonia - thick meat soup escudella, in Andalusia – puchero, in Aragon – artichokes cardo, in Galicia – cod with cauliflower, in Valencia – fried fish with stewed onions. The king's speech takes place this night at 9 pm, and not on New Year's Eve as we have. People go to visit friends or to nightclubs after midnight. On December 25, Christmas comes, which is celebrated all day, it is always a day off.

And finally, on December 31, the Spaniards celebrate the New Year. Usually it's a big fiesta on the main square: Spaniards and tourists drink champagne, eat grapes, hug and congratulate all friends and strangers.