How the Spanish Celebrate Christmas

The beginning of December marks the start of the Christmas celebration for Spain. Towns and cities all over the country are decorated with Christmas trees, lights, and nativity displays (naciemento/belen). In some villages children sing Christmas carols outside their neighbor's homes or by nativity scenes. They receive sweets or a few coins for their singing. This is an old tradition known as "aguinaldo". December 22nd is the day when school children start their winter holidays, and also the day when the winning numbers in the Christmas lottery (El Gordo), one of the largest lotteries in the world, are announced. The lottery was set up in 1763 by Carlos III and has run every year since then. On New Year's Eve (Nochevieja) there are street parties and firework displays, and at midnight people gather in plazas and church bells ring 12 times. One grape is eaten for each ring of the bell. The Spanish believe this brings 12 months of prosperity in the New Year. The day before Three King's Day (Los Reyes) on the 6th of January, there are steps to marking the arrival of the three kings. Before going to bed, kids leave their shoes somewhere visible in their house or balcony and fill them with straw and carrots for the king's horse. The following morning the shoes are filled with presents. A large ring-shaped cake decorated with candied fruit and known as the "Roscón de los Reyes" is eaten by many people on January 6th. Those who find a hidden charm in the cake are crowned king or queen for the rest of the day!

There are many differences between the Spanish culture and American culture when it comes to Christmas. I think it's interesting how they have a "Christmas lottery" and how big it is! It must be a big deal though, if there's a special day for it. Another difference between Spain's Christmas and our US Christmas is that they don't have a Santa. Instead of feeding Santa's reindeer like we do in America, Spanish children fill their shoes with straw and carrots for the King's horse. There's one thing that stays the same between these 2 cultures and that is presents! The people of Spain exchange presents just as we do in the US.

http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/spanish-festivals/christmas-in-spain.htm