Christmas in Spain

January 6 is virtually as important as Christmas itself, especially for kids, as this is the day when they get their presents. The fun starts the evening before, when the three kings lead their procession through the streets, throwing sweets to the children. The next morning, the children wake up to find their presents have been left overnight (rumors that Santa moonlights as the Three Kings when times are hard are unfounded).

The Run-up to Christmas in Spain

Christmas in Spain is quite a treat - the action gears up in mid-December and doesn't stop until January 6. There is the giant multi-billion euro lottery, splendid nativity scenes, lots of great food and one of the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations you are likely to see. As is the case throughout most of the Western world, Christmas first starts to rear its ugly head earlier and earlier each year. Traditional sweets such as turron and marzipan appeared in supermarkets in late October. However, apart from this, little takes place until December.

There are events taking place all over Spain in the run up to Christmas. Here are some of the more important pre-Christmas events. Read more on Spanish Festivals in December.

• December 7-8 - Inmaculada. Christmas starts here. Inmaculada is the Patron Saint of Seville, where musical groups from the university, known as 'los tunos', gather around the statue of the Virgin Immaculada in the Plaza del Triunfo (behind the cathedral) in traditional dress and sing songs. On the morning of the 8th children dance the Danza de los Seises (Dance of the Sixes) in the square. An event for the whole family.
• December 13 - El Dia de Santa Lucia, patron saint of the blind. Traditionally the blind sing christmas carols in the streets, although this is less common in modern times.
• December 21 - the shortest day of the year is celebrated in Granada and nearby Jaen by jumping through bonfires for the fiesta of Hogueras. Where I am from, we are taught that children shouldn't play with fire, however in these parts it is said to keep illness away.
• December 22 - El Gordo, the massive Spanish lottery, is drawn. This lottery is so big, they start selling tickets in August!

Day-by-Day Guide to Christmas & New Year in Spain

Christmas Eve ('Noche Buena')

Christmas Eve is a family affair. Most bars will be closed and there won't be many restaurants open. If you can get yourself invited to a family then accept, but you're more likely to be offered their youngest daughter's hand in marriage than get an invitation to this most sacred of family events.
Proceedings are interrupted at midnight by the chimes of the local church, calling worshippers to the 'misa del gallo' (Mass of the Rooster), so named because it is said that a rooster crowded on the night Jesus was born.
The biggest 'misa del gallo' is at the Benedictine monastery at Montserrat near Barcelona.
Adults exchange gifts in Christmas Eve and kids will often get a little something, but the young 'uns have to wait until January 6 for that new Playstation.

Christmas Day ('Navidad')

Traditionally also a family day - couples will normally spend Christmas Eve with one set of parents and Christmas Day with the other.
However, in recent years more and more people have started eating in restaurants on Christmas Day. Restaurants advertise their Christmas menu well in advance. It is usually possible to book until quite late, but at least give them a chance to book the ingredients! To guarantee your place, the morning of the 24th is probably about as late as you can leave it.
By the evening of the 25th, most shops and bars are open again and these days more and more youths have started going out on the town.

Santos Inocentes

Spain's version of April Fools' Day. People stick paper cut-outs of little men, or Monigote to people's backs.

New Year's Eve ('Noche Vieja')

A party night like everywhere else in the world, though the structure is a little different to in other countries - remember you have to think in Spanish time! Rather than starting early and building to a crescendo at midnight, the Spanish see in the new year sober (well, nearly sober), either with friends or with family, and then go out to the bars at about 12.30. The partying then continues until about 6am (if you fancy an early night) or much, much later, if you don't!
There is an 'ancient' tradition, started by some shrewd farmers about 100 years ago when they were left with too many grapes, of eating twelve grapes at the twelve bongs of midnight. This is a fun ritual, only spoiled by the fact that it is almost impossible to buy seedless grapes in Spain - in the rush to chomp down the dozen grapes, everyone ends up biting into a seed and pulling a silly face. A word of advice - there are four higher-pitched chimes just before the main ones at midnight (known as 'los cuatros') that announce the start of the real ones - make sure you don't start eating your grapes. It catches people out each year - one year a television presenter made fatal error! For every grape you get right, you will get a month's good luck.

 

 

 

Three Kings Day (Epiphany)

('El Dia de los Reyes')

Everyone also eats Roscón, a sweet, donut-shaped bread (though much bigger than a donut) covered in glacier cherries and sugar. A plastic toy is buried inside the mixture, so don't dive in too quickly. He or she who finds the toy gets good luck for the next year (double the luck if they also ate the grapes on New Year's Eve!)
thanks to http://www.spain-recipes.com
http://www.spain-recipes.com/typical-spanish-christmas-menu.html

Spanish Christmas "La Noche Buena,"

One of our country's most traditional desserts is marzipan , made of almonds and sugar. You will usually find it in "shapes" or as the basic ingredient for a host of different sweets. Each region has its own typical recipe and the sweetest delights appear in every corner of Spain. There is no excuse for not dipping into this world of sweet sensations. These are a few of the most typical: polvorones from Andalusia and Toledo, neulas from Alicante, mantecados and pestiños from Andalusia and Extremadura, guirlache from Aragón, casadielles from Asturias, Basque cake , intxaursalsa, goxua and panellets from Catalonia and paparajotes from Murcia. Not forgetting of course, the traditional Christmas ring, a cake eaten on 6 January, the popular feast of the Three Wise Men. This is the most exciting day of Christmas for the youngest members of the family.

Spain's gastronomic wealth comes to its pinnacle at Christmas time. It is a time for parties and celebrations, and also for big meals with, of course, typical Christmas sweets. These are exquisite, traditional recipes, many of which have centuries of history - something not to be missed at this time of year. Come and spend a few unforgettable days in our country and discover a world of unique, smooth flavours, a real treat for the taste buds.
Spanish cuisine is rich in flavours and smells and is very deep-rooted in the country's culture. At Christmas, culinary delicacies, and especially desserts, become par for the course, covering tables all over Spain with colour and sweet tastes. Discover these authentic, traditional desserts - sweet treasures made with almonds, honey, sugar, chocolate and fruit, among other things, with world-renowned quality.

There are a huge number to try. There are many different Christmas sweets available all over Spain. The star at Christmas time, however, is surely turrón . This is a sweet of Moorish origins that can be found in most homes over the festive season. Try it and you will be captivated by its flavour. There are many different types of turrón. Not to be missed are the Jijona variety, with a soft texture and the Alicante variety, which is hard. Their exquisite taste will captivate you for ever.

Spanish Christmas Eve is called "La Noche Buena," literally translated as "The Good Night." In Spain it is celebrated with a large family feast, which is eaten late in the evening and can last a couple hours. Some families attend midnight mass before or after, although many families are still finishing dinner around the table at midnight! In Spain, Christmas Eve is a time for celebrating in neighborhood bars and cafes, and around the table with family and friends. It is not a time for gift exchanges or Santa Claus. That must wait until January 6th, which is Epiphany, another religious holiday.



Make the most of the Christmas break to come to Spain and enjoy one of its most deep-rooted celebrations. You will, of course, be able to sample some of the country's most authentic and highly valued desserts. They are sugared delights with a thousand and one flavours that sweeten mealtimes all over Spain at this time of year. Fall into temptation and try some of these extraordinary sweets. There is no time like the present. 
 

Are You Wondering, What Is the Mediterranean Diet?

Whenever you feel that you should take a step forward in gaining better health, you probably access the internet, check out news, and do a lot of research about the best diet there is. If you have already done that, then you must have come across the Mediterranean diet, which is being followed by a lot of people today. But what is A Mediterranean diet? You probably see yourself asking this question, especially when you come to realize that a lot of people are now living healthier lives with it.

First and foremost, a Mediterranean diet is not considered as a diet by a lot of people, especially those who are living in the countries that surround the Mediterranean region. Instead, they see it as a way of eating, which has been followed by people in the region for countless years. This is basically the reason why there are a lot of people in the region who are able to enjoy better health and fitness, than people in other parts of the world.
Many studies have actually been done regarding this type of diet plan. Through studies done by researchers as well as nutritionists and dietician's, they are able to conclude that most of the foods involved in such a diet program are those that really promote better health. Although they do not entirely discourage foods that are high in salt and sugar, the Mediterranean way of eating sees to it that foods containing such substances are eaten in controlled amounts.
One of the best ways that you can do in order to understand the Mediterranean diet better is to check out its diet pyramid. Through the pyramid, you will be able to check out certain food items on it. Such food items are actually posted on the pyramid in such a way that they take up certain amounts of space on it. The bigger the space they take, the more they are recommended to be included on a person's diet.
When you check out the pyramid or certain recipes of the Mediterranean diet, you will find out that most of the time, they are cooked with the use of olive oil instead of vegetable oil. Olive oil actually contains mono-unsaturated fats, which will not raise the levels of cholesterol in your blood. This is actually one of the reasons why there is low incidence rate of heart disease for the countries in the Mediterranean region compared to certain countries around the world.
Fruits and vegetables are also highly recommended by the diet plan, which contains the essential vitamins and minerals to facilitate improved bodily functions.
These are the things that you will find out more about, when you get to know what a Mediterranean diet is. Keep in mind though that in order to achieve better health you should also get a good amount of exercise on a regular basis, aside from providing your body with adequate amounts of rest.

My name is Al James. I am a 56 year young freelance writer with a renewed passion for fitness. I live in Central Oregon with my wife of 32 years, my two grown sons also live in Central Oregon and have given me three beautiful granddaughters (with a fourth grandchild due in February 2012). Certainly a huge motivation for my fitness passion.
I am also a champion for A Mediterranean Diet after losing 34 lbs. between May 1st and August 31st, 2011. I am truly "Eating" my way thin. The Mediterranean Diet Recipes are healthy, taste great and are filling. Best of all I never go hungry. If you feel like you have tried every diet on the planet and have given up, please consider exploring the Mediterranean Diet Plan. It works for me and it will work for you. I highly recommend it.

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