Spain is one of the most religious countries in the world, so Christmas takes on a religious twist in the country. Christmas officially begins on December 8.
Food is particularly abundant on Christmas Eve where families gather around for “noche buena”. The Christmas Eve feast is preceded by the Christmas mass and is usually punctuated by turron, which is an almond candy.
The Spanish have the Jota, a special dance for the season. It is said that the words and music to the Jota has been handed down for centruies.
Decorations are elaborate and varied. They have manger scenes that have the complete cast of characters in their homes, churches and public places.
Gifts are given on January 6, the feast of the epiphany as Spanish children views the Three Kings as the gift givers. Kids leave their shoes on windowsills. The shoes are filled with food for the Magi’s horses, including carrots, barley and straw.
On December 28, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, little boys light bonfires around town. One boy then acts as a mayor who orders the “townspeople” to do certain tasks such as cleaning windows or sweeping streets. Disobedience merits a fine that helps pay for the celebration.
Spain it seems has more than it share of weird Christmas traditions. One is the caga tio or the pooping log. People in Catalonia, Spain, put up these carved logs every year on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The hollowed out log has a painted face and two legs. The caga tio is to be “fed” every day for the next two weeks with candies, nuts and fruits. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, children beats the caga tio with sticks until it “poops” out the treats.
A similarly weird tradition is the Caganer, which is a statue that is usually added to Nativity scenes or city scenes of Bethlehem. Usually you have the Three Wise Men, the Baby Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Joseph, along with shepherds. But in Spain, Italy and Portugal, they also have the Caganer. The weird thing is that the Caganer is caught in the act defecating.
MerryStockings.com have several designs that are perfect for your friends in Spain. Check out our Nativity Baby Christmas Stocking Kit and The Procession Christmas Stocking Kit. Or you could delight them with brass Christmas stocking holders like the Church Brass Holder and the Candlelight Angel Brass Holder
