Habla Espanol, Senior Claus?
Imagine the excitement of the holidays combined with the thrill of learning about a new culture! If you're thinking of studying abroad, consider studying in Spain and experience these unique holiday traditions. The excitement and atmosphere are sure to enhance your experience.
Christmas in Spain is a celebration that includes a blend of religious traditions with some a little more contemporary. Instead of the familiar Christmas tree, the Spanish prefer to decorate elaborate nativity scenes. Displayed in public squares, the scene has grown to include the Three Kings, Christ, Mary and Joseph, and a Spanish Bull among the animals. Rather than Santa Claus drawn by reindeer, it is the Three Kings, Los reyes Magos, on their camels who distribute presents to children.
With holiday celebrations starting at the beginning of December and winding down early in January, there are three distinct Christmas celebrations not to be missed:
· Noche Buena and Navidad - Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
· Noche Vieja - New Year's Eve
· Vispera de Reyes - King's Day, celebrated on January 5th but similar to Christmas Day with the distribution of presents.
Noche Buena and Navidad
On Christmas Eve, family and friends gather together before Midnight Mass. Also known as the Mass of the Rooster, it is believed that the only time a rooster ever crowed at midnight was on the night Christ was born. After Mass, families return home to enjoy a huge feast of turkey with truffles and of course to celebrate. On December 25th, Navidad, the adults rather than kids exchange gifts and participate in the Urn of Fate. Everyone in the house puts their name in the Urn or bowl. The two names pulled out at the same time are supposed to enjoy a lasting friendship. Combining the evening of December 24th and the day of the 25th into one celebration was developed from the translation of a spanish proverb, "esta noche es Noche-Buena, Y no es noche de dormir" which means "This is the good night, therefore it is not meant for sleep."
Noche Vieja
The second celebration is New Year's Eve and according to Spaniards, this is the time to let your hair down and really celebrate! Included in the customary ringing in of the New Year is drinking Cava, Spanish sparkling wine while gulping down twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight. The tradition upholds that if you swallow all twelve grapes in twelve seconds, you will have a prosperous year ahead. Similar to Times' Square in New York, the clock on top of the La Puerta del Sol in Madrid counts down to the second announcing the New Year's arriving and signaling the beginning of the grape chugging.
Vispera de Reyes
The final installment of the holiday celebration takes place on January 5th and is known as King's Day. North American will quickly recognize the expected holiday frenzy this day creates in families, young children and stores all over Spain. Instead of Santa, the Spanish children wait for the Three Kings known as Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar. The night before King's Day, the children fill their shoes with grass or grain and place them on the doorstep for the kings' camels. During the night the children wait while the Three Kings leave gifts in and around the shoes.
The following day, January 6th is known as Epiphany and is the day when parades and festivals occur all around the city while children fill up on candies and cakes.
Studying in a different country during the holidays and celebrations is a great way to learn new traditions that you can bring home and incorporate into your own family celebrations- and who better to learn from than your host family? Who knows, next New Year's Eve you too could find yourself competing against Uncle Jim to down twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight!
From all of us at LearnOverseas.com we wish you and your family the warmest holiday wishes. Feliz Navidad!
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