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Popular Christmas Traditions and Christmas Decorations in Spain

Throughout the world, Christmas is one of the most well known holidays. In Spain, as well as in many other countries, this holiday focuses on the celebration of Christ's birth. It is a time for families to gather together to celebrate and share the joy of the season with song, dancing and family meals. Christmas trees and handmade decorations, as well as the Nativity scene are familiar sights. Although these traditions are common in many countries, there are some aspects of the Christmas holiday which are unique to Spain.

Leading up to the Christmas holiday, the Spanish celebrate a tradition called "Hogueras" (bonfires). This is a celebration of the winter solstice which is the shortest day of the year. At this time, people jump over a bonfire, symbolizing a protection against illness. Also during the winter solstice, swing sets are constructed to be used by the people in the belief that by swinging high they will cause the sun to move higher in the sky.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, tiny lamps are lit in the windows throughout the villages, representing the stars in the Christmas Eve sky. At midnight, bells are rung in each of the villages, calling everyone to "La Misa Del Gallo", the Mass of the Rooster. It is called this because the rooster was known as the first of the animals to announce Christ's birth.

After the midnight Mass, Christmas dinner is served. The traditional holiday meal includes "Pavo Trufado de Navidad", which is Christmas turkey with truffles. Roast lamb, suckling pig, duck, and seafood such as lobster, shrimp, trout and salmon may also be served, depending on which part of the country one is in. Traditional desserts may include marzipan, made of honey, almonds and eggs, and polvorones, which is a sweetbread. Nuts, dried fruits, and caramel custard are among other desserts served. No meal is complete without a drink. Cava is the Spanish champagne, and it often accompanies the Christmas meal.

In many countries a visit by Santa Claus is an important part of a Christmas celebration. However, in Spain, this is not the case. The children do receive small gifts from "Papa Noel" on Christmas, but this is not a big part of the festivities. Instead, they celebrate January 6, which is the Three King's Day, a day commemorating the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to the Baby Jesus. On January 5, the children take part in a parade to see the Three Kings when they come to their village or town. When given the chance, they ask the Three Kings for the presents they are hoping for. On the eve of this special day, the children leave their shoes out where they are easily found. They are filled with straw and carrots for the camels on which the Wise Men travel. On the next morning, the straw and carrots are gone, replaced by presents. On this day, a special dessert is served, the "Roscon de los Reyes" which is a large circular cake. It is decorated with candied fruits, which represent the jewels which were on the Three Kings' robes. There is a surprise baked into the cake, and whoever finds it becomes the king or queen of the house.

Spain's celebration of Christmas is similar to the manner in which other countries celebrate it with Christmas trees and Christmas wreaths.. But by also having its own unique traditions, a visitor can gain insight into the people of Spain and their lives. Knowing the traditions of various countries such as Spain can give one a new appreciation of the Christmas holiday around the world.

Popular Christmas Traditions and Christmas Decorations in Spain

Christmas Cards - A Historical Look at a Popular Tradition

Almost all of us have, at one time or another, sent or received a Christmas card. These printed holiday greetings are a mainstay of the Christmas season in the United States and many other countries around the world. But did you ever stop to wonder how this tradition got started? Who sent the first Christmas card?

Most historians trace the origins of Christmas cards back to the year 1843 in London, England. During the mid-19th century in Britain, it was customary to send hand written greetings to one's friends and relatives, wishing them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. In 1843, one Englishman, Sir Henry Cole, decided he was far too busy to take the time to personally write these notes. So instead, he commissioned his friend, John Callcott Horsley, also an artist, to paint some cards with a Christmas scene of merriment and a banner with a holiday greeting. Sir Henry's idea was to save time by just signing and sending the cards. However, as the story goes, Mr. Horsley may have depicted too much merriment, as it appeared a number of children were enjoying a glass of wine in the painted scene. Sir Henry Cole, embarrassed by the resulting scandal and controversy, only sent out a few Christmas cards in subsequent years.

Christmas Card

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Kate Greenaway, a children's writer and illustrator in London, developed the idea of preprinted Christmas cards. Ms. Greenway was much more sensitive to the "appropriate content" of the day, and her cards quickly grew in popularity.

Up until this time, all Christmas cards sent in the U.S. were imported from England. In 1874, an American lithograph printer, Louis Prang, began printing Christmas cards to sell in the U.S. Because of this, Mr. Prang is sometimes referred to as the "father of the American Christmas card." Mr. Prang's cards featured snow scenes, flowers, birds, burning fireplaces, and most of all children playing with toys. Today some of his intricate designs are favored by collectors.

The business of printing Christmas cards soon became the mainstay of stationary manufacturers and specialty printers. Designs often followed the historical times. During both World War I and World War II the themes became very patriotic. The 1950's brought a mix of nostalgic, sentimental, and religious themes. Some other, more risque cards produced during that time suggest the changing of attitudes during that decade.

In the last decade, the United States has begun to see a decline in the volume of cards being sent. To some extent, this is blamed on improvements in technology and instant communication. With the advent of the internet, many people now choose to send free e-cards instead of mailing a paper greeting card. Better telephone communication has also played a roll, as most people now have cell phones that offer them very inexpensive rates and free long distance.

Even with the decline in recent years, the U.S. Census Bureau still estimates that nearly 2 billion Christmas cards are sent in the United States each year. Little did Sir Henry Cole know, he was on to something great. From its humble beginnings in mid-19th century London, the Christmas card industry has blossomed into a multi-billion dollar giant that will surely continue to grow and evolve in the future.

Christmas Cards - A Historical Look at a Popular Tradition

Popular Christmas Traditions and Christmas Decorations in Greece

Christmas Eve in Greece, as in countries throughout the world, has many beautiful and fun traditions. Christmas Eve begins with children singing kalanda (Christmas carols) around the neighborhood. Some of the children play triangles and some play small clay drums. Sometimes they are accompanied by a guitar, a lyre, an accordion or a harmonica. Good wishes are offered and the children are awarded with treats.

Although Christmas is becoming more Westernized in Greece (Christmas wreaths, turkey dinners and street decorations) some families still practice older traditions. These include replacing Christmas trees with the traditional shallow bowl as the main symbol of the season. A wire is attached to the bowl and hangs across it. From this wire hangs a cross wrapped in a small branch of basil. The water that is in the bowl keeps the basil fresh. Every day, the cross and basil are dipped in holy water by a member of the family. They then sprinkle holy water throughout the house to keep it safe from Killantzaroi. The Killantzaroi are sprites that come forth from the earth's center to appear in people's houses from Christmas to Epiphany. They are thought to cause mischief such as putting out hearth fires or souring milk. The hearth fire is kept burning throughout the twelve days to also help keep the Killantzaroi out.

Christmas Eve

Presents are exchanged between family and friends on the first of January which is St. Basil's day. The Renewal of Waters also takes place on St. Basil's day. This is a tradition where every water jug in the house is emptied and then refilled with St. Basil's Water. This ceremony is sometimes followed by gifts to the naiads (or nymphs).

Although Christmas dinner has also become more westernized, there are still some Greek foods that are eaten. Melomakarona (honey cookies) and kourabiedes (sugar cookies) are made before the season and eaten throughout the twelve-day holiday. Loaves of Christopsomo (Christ Bread) are eaten on Christmas. Vasilopita (St. Basil's Cake) is a cake made to celebrate the New Year. A coin is baked into the cake and whoever finds it will have blessings in the coming year. It is so-named because St. Basil had church ladies bake sweet bread with coins in them knowing the hungry were too proud to take money. In this way, St. Basil was able to help the needy without insulting them.

Old traditions, mixed with new ones, are what Greek Christmas' are all about. Spending time with family and friends is the important thing and that practice will always carry on.

Popular Christmas Traditions and Christmas Decorations in Greece

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