How is the New Year celebrated in Spain? New Year Traditions in Spain
Those who happen to visit Spain in late December - early January are lucky: carnivals and festivals go on here in an endless series, charging guests with fun and good mood. You will see how the New Year is celebrated in Spain - emotionally, brightly, paying tribute to local customs.
Winter holidays in Spain - photo
The Spaniards are great masters of organizing festive events. In celebrating Christmas, they rely on centuries-old traditions.
The country began to celebrate the New Year widely later, but the unique national flavor is already well felt in this holiday.
What date is celebrated - the exact date
Christmas Spain celebrates 25. It is followed by 12 holidays, ending on January 6 with the Day of the Magi.
Read in what interesting places you can visit in the first Spanish capital - Toledo.
New Year, like the Russians, the Spaniards celebrate on the night of December 31 to January 1. This holiday is public. Theaters and cinemas are closed at this time, sitting near the TV is also not in local traditions, so all fun activities are moving to the streets and squares.
Information from the Christmas story
In addition to the fact that in Spain Christmas is a national holiday, it is also a very important event for the Catholic world (the inhabitants of Spain are mostly Catholics). In Spanish, the holiday is called Navidad, and Christmas night - "Nochebuena" (in translation - "good night").
It has always been customary to start the dawning day here with a visit to the church, and now most Spaniards adhere to this tradition. The festive service has an unusual name - Misa de gallo, which means "mass of the rooster".
According to legend, this bird was the first to know about the birth of Christ and immediately informed the whole world about it.
Another old tradition: to celebrate these holidays "Hogueras"(Jogueras) is the winter solstice. Until now, in some Spain (for example, in Granada), meeting this event, they make fires, as in ancient times, in order to jump over them. In this way, it was customary to protect one's health from various ailments.
The country celebrates the onset of the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar, starting from 1582. Today this event marks old chimes and tower clocks in all Spanish cities. By tradition, people gather in the squares to witness the change of one year to another.
Weather and temperature these days
Spain differs from most European countries in its mild climate even in winter. In the northern regions air temperature in December it reaches a positive mark of 14 degrees, in the south - 17-19 degrees of heat. During the celebration of Christmas and New Year, the average for the capital of the state is 10 degrees Celsius during the day and 6 degrees Celsius at night.
Get to know the weather conditions in Spain not only during the Christmas months, but throughout the year.
Meteorologists, based on long-term observations, consider the "holiday period" in Spain to be quite comfortable: there are quite a lot of sunny days, rains happen infrequently.
The scope of the celebrations
The motto of the Spaniards on Christmas and New Year's days is walk so walk. Events are held on a grand scale, fireworks and red are very fond of - it is one of the symbols of the winter holidays.
How is Christmas celebrated?
The desire to celebrate the Spaniards is so great that they begin to celebrate Christmas in 1-2 weeks before it comes. Gala dinners in restaurants, where colleagues and friends gather, continue until the morning.
Given that each Spaniard becomes a participant in such feasts on average 3 times, the second half of December does not turn out to be a working language.
But Christmas itself is a holiday family. The Spaniards try to gather at the big table all the relatives, even the most distant ones, with whom they are likely to meet again not earlier than in a year. Interestingly, for a long time in Spain there was no tradition of giving gifts to each other on this day, however, envying how this is done in neighboring states, the Spaniards now give gifts.
Children are feeding for Christmas Eve special socks so that adults fill them with toys or some useful gizmos.
How is the New Year celebrated?
The Spanish name for this holiday is Nochevieja, translated into Russian - “old night”, which quite accurately denotes the meaning of what is happening on December 31 for the Spaniards: they see off the outgoing year to a greater extent than meet the new one.
Although the holiday is considered less "home" than Christmas, people who gather in the squares and streets of cities behave like a family. As soon as the chimes strike 12 times, even strangers congratulate each other hugging, kissing and giving small gifts. Festivities, round dances begin, firecrackers and fireworks “explode”, songs are heard, sparklers sparkle.
Christmas traditions
Many Spanish holiday rituals are hundreds of years old. Sometimes they are ridiculous, funny, but they are not going to refuse them.
Symbols and rituals
One of the symbols of the holiday is a mythical character Kagatio. "Pooping log" - this is how his name is translated into Russian. In fact, this is a stump of a tree to which they attached legs and painted a face. Kagatio is in almost every family, passed down from generation to generation.
In December, they take it out of the “stores”, bring it to the kitchen and start feed, leaving food for the night, and wrap him in a blanket so that he does not freeze. At Christmas, the poor guy is beaten with sticks for no reason by the kids, they demand that he "pump" them gifts. The fact that each of the kids under the covers really has toys or sweets "from Kagatio" is taken care of by parents in advance.
The guys dream of gifts and on the Night of the Magi (6), they try not to go to bed to consider who will put them near the bed. When there is no strength left to fight sleep and the children fall asleep, parents will bring gifts for their children. Sometimes the guys manage to become participants "Cavalcade of the Magi"- a kind of carnival, the participants of which, dressed up as sorcerers, distribute various trinkets to boys and girls.
The living symbol of the holiday is the houseplant poinsettia, sometimes called "Star of Bethlehem", because its leaves are just that, star-shaped.
There are also natural or artificial Christmas trees in Spanish houses and on the streets, but poinsettia is a must.
Of the New Year's traditions, the most popular and ancient - "12 grapes". At one time, the Spanish kings pampered their subjects with a sweet berry (distributing it for free) if the year was fruitful. Today, in order for the next year to become successful, generous, “productive” in every respect, you need to eat a dozen grapes while the clock strikes 12 times (the seeds must be spit out).
If the holiday is celebrated in a restaurant, then before the clock strikes, each guest will be given a plastic bag with berries. Breaking the ritual is a bad omen.
And here is a tradition that is still taking shape - young people who have gathered for the holiday write their names on pieces of paper and throw them into a bag. Then the contents of the bag are mixed and, in turn, notes with names are pulled out of there - this is how they add up "couples in love" for the upcoming holiday.
Spanish Santa Claus
In Spain it is a character named Olentzero. His costume is made in the style of national traditions, richly decorated. In his hands is a flask of whiskey.
Despite his addiction to alcohol, the Spanish Santa Claus does not forget about his main purpose - to congratulate the children. He does not like to put gifts in a sock or hide them under the tree, he usually folds them on the windowsill.
Decorations and attributes
Most Christmas and New Year decorations are traditional for many countries: garlands, balls, candles, tinsel. But there is also an "exclusive": belen- a model that depicts a picture of the birth of Christ. Belem can be placed in the town square or in a shop window, and in a miniature version - in the houses of the Spaniards.
Present
It is customary to give edible gifts for Christmas - nougat and champagne. In addition, when visiting to celebrate a holiday, you can buy a Christmas gift set with jamon (raw-cured ham, a national Spanish delicacy) in the store.
It is customary to prepare gifts for guests - cotillions. This is the name of handbags filled with holiday paraphernalia: carnival masks, serpentine, crackers, balloons.
By tradition, it is allowed to open a gift cotillion only after the chiming clock.
January 6th in Spain is considered Happy Boxing. They, as once to Jesus, today are brought to children by people depicting the Magi. More toys and sweets are given to children who have been obedient, diligent throughout the year, and therefore deserve encouragement.
Table setting features
The main dish of the Christmas table is a turkey stuffed with mushrooms. Besides, festive table decorate:
- dishes from seafood(shrimp, crabs);
- dishes from meat(roast lamb, stewed beef or chicken with langoustines);
- christmas soup with stuffed biscuits;
- greenery;
- sweets(marzipan cakes, wine donuts, halva, shortbread cookies with lard, glazed nuts, honey pastries);
- Spanish champagne Cava for adults and grape juice for children.
For the New Year's table, the Spaniards make fewer blanks, especially if they plan to celebrate the holiday outside the home. In this case, light snacks are enough, otherwise you can count on a restaurant. Nevertheless, to celebrate the New Year you will need:
- grape(to perform a festive ritual);
- tartlets with different fillers;
- fish snacks;
- "Russian salad"(an analogue of our "Olivier", which is sold in supermarkets);
- snacks from melon and jamon;
- confectionery(cumin cookies, cakes and pies, Spanish nougat "Turron");
- red (preferably Spanish) wine.
Different regions of Spain have their own culinary and confectionery preferences. On, for example, these are festive desserts: almond cream and Canarian milk pudding.
On New Year's and Christmas holidays, it is customary to buy a roll with cream for the table, which is called "roscon". She has a surprise baked inside. The one who gets this surprise when the roll is cut into pieces will have to gather guests in a year, already in his house.
How much more Spanish Christmas traditions can you learn from this video:
On the eve of the Christmas holidays, wanderlust takes hold of us especially strongly. In terms of the level of the New Year's atmosphere, warm European countries can quite successfully compete with Lapland, Finland or Austria.
One of the most favorite destinations for travelers is Spain - a holiday country, a country of fireworks, where shows, festivals and carnivals follow each other like pictures in a kaleidoscope. New Year in Spain will be an interesting and fun adventure, you definitely won’t be bored.
What date is noted: the exact date
The entire Christmas and New Year period lasts from December 25 - Catholic Christmas - to January 6 - the Day of the Three Magi Kings, the feast of the Epiphany, also called the sacred twelve days.
The Spaniards celebrate the New Year traditionally, as well as almost all over the world on the night of December 31 to January 1.
It is a kind of twelve-day equator and is considered an official public holiday.
Weather and temperature these days
Have you ever celebrated New Year in Spain?
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Spain owes its pleasant climate to its southern European location. Even the winter weather is very comfortable and sunny. On New Year's Eve in Spain, the southern regions are pleased with 18 ° C, in the north of the country the average temperature is 13-15 ° C.
In general, the temperature almost never drops below 8-10 °C, frosts, rains and hoarfrost are rare. The temperature during the New Year holidays in the capital is from 11 to 6 ° C during the day and at night, respectively.
If someone has the bold idea of swimming in winter, the most acceptable place is the Canary Islands. The December water temperature is 16-18 °C, and the air warms up to 20 °C. In addition, Spain also pampers tourists with many ski resorts, the peak season of which falls just in December.
So the Spanish weather is diverse and will appeal to guests with a wide variety of climatic preferences.
Of course, you can’t see snow in such weather, but the feeling of a holiday and a miracle is fully provided by a huge amount of bright decorations, garlands, lights and music.
The scope of the celebrations
With cheerful and emotional Spaniards, any celebration is celebrated in a big way. Each holiday will be bright and will be remembered for a long time. In winter in Spain, the most important and long-awaited are Christmas and New Year. However, there are some differences between them as well.
How Christmas is celebrated
As in all Catholic countries, Christmas in Spain is considered a more important, significant and large-scale event than the meeting of the coming year. It can be said that it is sacred, they celebrate it in the circle of relatives and friends.
The very preparation for the celebration is already the beginning of the holiday. In addition, starting from mid-December, every average Spaniard 3-4 times gets to the magnificent feasts with friends or colleagues, ending well after midnight.
Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. All relatives come to the holiday, even from the most distant districts. Everyone exchanges gifts and wishes - by the way, this tradition for Christmas appeared in Spain not so long ago. Gifts for children are placed in special Christmas socks.
Christmas Eve and the night of the birth of Christ among the Spaniards is considered "blessed and not intended for sleep" and is called Nochebuena. That is why they have fun and sing songs all night long.
It is also customary to attend the Christmas service in the church.
Another Spanish tradition is to celebrate the winter solstice Hogueras Hogueras before Christmas. It is customary to jump over a fire, thus gaining health for the whole year.
How New Year's Eve is celebrated
The Spanish New Year is celebrated from December 31st to January 1st. This is the noisiest and most joyful day of the year. On New Year's Eve, it is downright forbidden to sit at home, you must definitely go to have fun. People fill the squares, streets and streets in all cities of the country.
At the moment when the chimes strike, and one year follows another, everyone becomes one big family: they congratulate, hug, exchange souvenirs. Then carnivals, festivals, processions, dances, songs, showers of sweets and confetti begin. Residents and guests are surprised by spectacular fireworks and amazing fire shows.
The holiday has two names. Nochevieja is the old night, New Year's Eve, the evening when they say goodbye to the outgoing year. Año Nuevo is the holiday itself, the first day of the new year.
The most popular places for mass celebrations are Puerta del Sol, where the main clock of Spain beats, Plaza de Catalunya in Barcelona, City Hall Square in Valencia.
Christmas traditions
More than any other people, the Spaniards honor traditions and rituals. Thanks to the fact that they carefully preserve the values passed down by their ancestors, the culture of Spain is one of the richest, most authentic and distinctive.
Symbols and rituals
The number 12 is given a magical meaning in Spain. The key New Year's ritual is to have time to eat grapes and think at will while the clock strikes 12. The lucky ones who managed to do this will be the favorites of fate all next year. It is strictly forbidden to break the tradition of 12 grapes - this is unfortunately.
Red is iconic. The one who wears scarlet for the celebration of 2019 will be patronized by Fortune.
With the main Christmas characters, the situation is rather non-classical: they are different, since each region has its own favorite hero.
Kagatio is a character not understood by everyone, a Christmas pooping log. It is a firebrand with a painted face, two or four legs. On December 8, children dress him, wrap him in a blanket, bring food, and on Christmas Eve they start beating him, demanding to defecate with gifts.
The children also sing all sorts of songs to the log and from time to time leave the room to prepare - so the parents have a favorable opportunity to put gifts. However, Kagatio never brings big surprises, only trinkets and sweets. The character is especially common in Catalonia, Aragon and Occitania.
In the Basque Country and the Navarre region, gifts for children on New Year's holidays are brought by the gray-haired collier Olentzero. In Asturias, the beloved heroes are Girria and the fisherman Anguleru, and in Galicia - Apalpadore, an analogue of Olentzero.
On January 6, the Day of the Magi, the Cavalcade of the Magi appears, a kind of Christmas nativity scene. Children are especially waiting for them, because the Magi bring big gifts.
Spanish Santa Claus
The Spaniards love the scope in everything, and their Christmas characters are not limited to one Santa Claus. The team of magical superheroes includes Papa Noel, who is also Spanish Santa Claus, Olentzero, the three sorcerer kings Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, as well as many small characters.
Papa Noel is very similar to the famous Santa Claus, he lives at the North Pole and leaves gifts on the window on Christmas night. He has a colleague Olentzero, revered in the Navarre region and the Basque Country.
According to legend, he died saving children from a fire, and for this the good fairy gave him eternal life. Since then, he has been a favorite of kids, bringing joy and gifts. In addition to Christmas, the guys are congratulated on the night of January 6 on the Day of the Magi. Surprises are delivered by three sorcerer kings.
Decorations and attributes
Dressing up the evergreen according to the Western European tradition began recently. But every year in every house there is a flower of poinsettia, popularly nicknamed the "Star of Bethlehem". The Spaniards fell in love with her for the red color and the shape of a star, so the belief that the poinsettia brings luck and wealth took root.
Henbane are widespread - scenes depicting the birth of Christ. They are installed on the windowsills of houses, in shop windows, main city squares. Such decorations attract a lot of spectators, cause great delight in children.
In general, Christmas decorations are classic - serpentine, bright garlands, toys, colorful balls, candles.
Present
Christmas gifts are presented by both guests and hosts. In no case do they come to the celebration empty-handed, but always bring gifts and delicacies: national halva with nuts, nougat, wine or champagne, jamon.
Those invited are given cotillions - special baskets with New Year's souvenirs: tinsel, balloons, crackers, lights, confetti, masks, candles. It will be possible to open your handbag and look at the surprise only after the chiming clock.
Table setting features
The festive table menu consists of light Mediterranean snacks, all kinds of seafood, cheese and jamon. But still, it never goes without the main dish - a turkey stuffed with mushrooms. For dessert, an abundance of delicacies awaits: national turron, halva, marzipans, almond cakes, anise candies.
Grapes must be present on the table for a magical ritual. Just as we fill our glasses with champagne, the Spaniards pour Cava, the traditional Spanish sparkling wine.
Winter celebrations in Spain photo - Spain in the New Year
Below we introduce the views of elegant and magical Spain in the New Year.
Outcome
Spanish culture is incredibly original. Acquaintance with New Year's traditions seems to take us to another planet, because everything is completely new in it: weather, customs, rituals, dishes, gifts and decorations.
New Year in Spain is an eternal holiday. It is easy to swirl in a whirlpool of emotions there, but at the same time not to lose the warmth of home comfort and friendly atmosphere. Christmas festivities in Spain will ensure a successful and happy year, because the way you celebrate the New Year is the way you will spend it. So the extravaganza from the celebration and the country will remain in memory for a long time.
Everyone loves the New Year because this holiday is a special starting point for a new life. Since the New Year, people plan to start a new life and try to absorb the atmosphere of magic. Under the chimes, a person makes his cherished wish and, leaving everything bad and unpleasant in the outgoing year, enters a new stage in his life.
Many people love the New Year because it is accompanied by a large number of days off, that is, the New Year holidays, which makes it possible to give yourself and your family an unforgettable trip to anywhere in the world.
Have you already decided where to go for the New Year 2021? If you belong to the category of people who love a real holiday with a lot of fireworks, lights and noisy parties - Spain is what you need!
New Year in Spain is a special holiday. The Spaniards love to walk in the New Year "to the fullest", noisy and joyful, most often they celebrate the holiday at a party, in restaurants, as well as in squares with folk festivals. Traditionally, red is the symbol of the holiday. Therefore, on New Year's Eve, local people try to put on as much red as possible.
New Year's holidays in Spain begin on December 25 (Christmas) and last 12 days until January 6 (Three Kings Day). Almost each of the 12 days has its own customs and traditions. On New Year's Eve, everything is closed, as it is customary that absolutely everyone should celebrate the holiday and go for a walk.
Spain is famous for its winemaking, so a bottle of excellent wine is always present on all New Year's tables. In addition to wine, grapes are always present on the table as a symbol of fertility and good luck.
Unlike our traditional Christmas tree, many Spaniards prefer the beautiful Christmas flower, the poinsettia. Most likely, this is why the local Santa Claus, who is called Olentzero, brings gifts to the balcony.
And if we are used to drinking sparkling wine to the chiming clock, then in this country at this time you need to quickly eat twelve grapes, which mean good luck for all 12 months of next year, and those who managed to manage to eat all the berries can also wait for the fulfillment of the most cherished desires.
On the website, you can pick up a voucher for the new year to Spain for two at a cost of 26 thousand rubles.
Tours to Spain for the New Year 2021 will give you an irresistible opportunity to enjoy your holiday in Tenerife or spend time in Barcelona for the New Year, you can choose a place that suits your taste. Combine the celebration of the new year in this wonderful country with an acquaintance with medieval cities and famous museums. Be sure to try seafood, fine wine, fruits and vegetables in Spain - enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
New Year's holidays in Spain begin with the Catholic Christmas on December 25 and last until the feast of the Three Magi Kings on January 6. This festive period in Spain is rich in various traditions and customs. "Our Spain" has prepared for you a selection of 10 of the most interesting things that make the Spanish New Year holidays stand out from other countries, and which we recommend that you do during your winter holidays in Spain.
The Spanish Christmas Lottery (Lotería de Navidad) is the oldest and largest lottery game in the world. The lottery draw is traditionally held in Madrid on December 22, on Christmas Eve. The numbers of the dropped balls and the size of the prizes are always announced by the students of the San Ildelfonso School (Colegio de San Ildefonso).
98% of Spaniards buy Christmas lottery tickets for themselves and their families. Near the kiosks selling the lottery, queues line up for many hours. "Lotería de Navidad" is not just a lottery - it is a national tradition, inextricably, and certainly linked in the minds of the Spaniards with the Christmas holidays.
By purchasing a "decimo" or a €20 ticket, you can win up to €400,000. The first prize of the lottery, which is called "El Gordo", is 4 million euros, and the total prize fund of this lottery reaches 2.5 billion euros!
In addition to the typical Catholic Christmas customs, Spain has its own unique traditions associated with Christmas. One of these customs is the construction of dens or henbanes. Belen are nativity scenes and figures that depict the biblical story of the birth of Christ. Such miniatures are placed on the streets, in shop windows, in squares and in the windows of private houses. Among the Spanish nativity scenes, you can also find real works of art occupying entire rooms or large halls of churches. The tradition of creating henbane became widespread in Spain in the 19th century, when even a separate art form, Belenismo, was born.
Traditionally, no New Year is complete without champagne. Spain produces its own sparkling wine called Cava.
This Spanish sparkling drink, which sometimes surpasses real French champagne in its taste, was first made in Catalonia in the middle of the 19th century.
For the production of Cava, three grape varieties are usually used, the most popular of which are Macabeo - gives a delicate fruity aroma and freshness, Parellada - a floral aroma, Xarello - brings sourness to the taste of cava. During the Christmas period, Spanish cava wineries sell up to 40% of their annual stocks.
4. Celebrate the New Year at Puerta del Sol
New Year in Spain is usually celebrated in the central squares of cities. Well, the celebration of the New Year on the main square of Spain - Puerta del Sol in Madrid - is considered the most important tradition of the country.
It seems that literally the whole city is going to Puerta del Sol. On the balconies, opposite the city chimes, the leading Spanish TV channels broadcast live. During the holidays, the city lights up with bright colors and unusual lights. On the streets, you can taste traditional Spanish cuisine made from seafood and lamb. And, of course, by 12 o'clock it is not complete without the most important custom - eating 12 magic grapes.
The most interesting of all Spanish New Year's traditions, we consider eating twelve grapes. Each grape is eaten to the sound of chimes in the last seconds of the outgoing year, and wishes come true!
The tradition of eating twelve grapes is not yet very old, it is not yet a hundred years old. Just in the 20s of the twentieth century, enterprising grape growers came up with this custom in order to sell off the surplus of a too fruitful year. As you can see, the Spaniards liked the custom and took root, and now special grape varieties are grown in the province of Alicante to celebrate the New Year.
6. Celebrate the New Year in red underwear
One of the most extravagant Spanish traditions is wearing bright red underwear and socks on New Year's Eve. According to Spanish belief, in order for New Year's wishes to come true, it is necessary to put on new underwear that night and it is red.
Spaniards celebrate this holiday no less violently and cheerfully than the New Year. Children are especially happy on this day, since in Spain it is the Three Magi Kings (Reyes Magos) (Melchor, Gaspar and Balthazar) who bring gifts.
Spectacular carnivals are held in the cities, during which tens of kilograms of sweets are scattered on the streets. Usually such a parade is opened by musicians - drummers and a local brass band - and platforms with festively dressed participants in the procession follow them. The long procession is closed by a chic retinue, along with the Magi Kings, who present toys and treats to children.
In order to usefully spend time between the New Year and the Day of the Three Magi Kings, you should go to a ski resort. To do this, head to the south of the country to the Sierra Nevada mountains - this is the southernmost ski resort in Europe.
Despite the fact that the mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada are located in hot Andalusia, you can go skiing and snowboarding on their snowy slopes. A variety of tracks - from green to black - will pleasantly surprise you.
Turron (Turrón) - one of the varieties of Spanish sweets, without which no Christmas table can do. There are two types of turron. Soft turron - Blando (blando) - tastes like nougat. And the hard variety duro (duro) is similar to our gozinaki. Each Spanish province is famous for its variety of turron, but connoisseurs and lovers of this sweet say that the best turron is produced in Alicante, where confectioneries are located that have been making this sweet for many centuries.
Another one of the must-try sweets during Spanish New Year's feasts is El roscón de Reyes. This is a biscuit in the form of a royal crown, decorated with marzipan, sugar or fruits that imitate precious stones. Inside the festive roll, there is always a small surprise (usually a small coin). The one who gets a piece of the pie with a coin will be lucky all year long. And for this, next year he must treat everyone to the same pie.
Seasons of big sales in Spain are in winter and summer. Traditionally, the beginning of winter discounts in all regions of Spain comes immediately after the day of the Three Magi Kings, celebrated on January 6th.
On January 7, a grandiose madness begins in all shopping centers and shops in Spain. Prices for goods drop by 50-90%, and fans of discounts storm the shelves from early morning. The sale season lasts until March 31, but the best items and goods are sold out in the first week. Therefore, after all the holidays and entertainment, it is worth staying in Spain for a couple of days for the sake of this exciting and safe event for the wallet!
25.12.2016
Spain… A country of giants and beautiful ladies, masterpieces of the brilliant Antonio Gaudi and amazingly delicious wines. The inhabitants of such an amazing country certainly know how to celebrate holidays somehow unusually, with their own “zest”. How is the New Year celebrated in Spain? Just sit down at the table, drink champagne and make a wish while the clock strikes? Let's look into the depths of centuries and find out what are the traditions of celebrating the New Year in Spain: how it was before and what is happening now.
History of New Year's Eve in Spain
Actually, the New Year as a separate holiday in the country has not taken root to this day. The Spaniards have long had a whole “combination of holidays”: they begin on December 25 with Christmas, then smoothly flow into the New Year and, finally, end on January 6 with the Day of the Magi (or the Day of the Three Kings). It has long been customary to celebrate holidays noisily, with carnivals, lights and dances.
New Year's Eve in modern Spain
Nowadays, the Spaniards prefer to celebrate the holiday not at home, but among friends, in a circle of noisy fun. Christmas is celebrated with family, and on New Year's Eve they try to get together with friends and pals. The streets are decorated, Christmas trees are put up, garlands are hung in shop windows. The houses of the Spaniards on New Year's days are also beautiful.
The hosts decorate the Christmas tree or buy a flower that bears the romantic name "flor de navidad", which means "Christmas flower". Indeed, in shape it resembles a star. The second name of the flower, much better known to us, is poinsettia. On the eve of the holidays, store shelves begin to burst with sweets: marzipans, halva, anise candies. All this is purchased in large quantities.
The Spaniards prepare the New Year's table, form small gifts for friends and relatives: handbags called "cotillions", which are filled with various New Year paraphernalia: masks, crackers, musical horns, confetti. After celebrating the New Year at home with champagne and wine, they take to the streets to continue the festivities.
Spanish New Year's Eve
On the table that night, there are certainly carabinieri (shrimp), melon with jamon (that is, melon cut into pieces with dried pork ham), tartlets. Seafood is given one of the first places on the festive table.
In addition, there is a dish with grapes, which is associated with a special tradition, so no New Year is complete without wine berries. You can also enjoy almond tarts and cumin cookies. Everything is delicious, fresh - and asks in the mouth. Drink on New Year's Eve, of course, champagne and fine Spanish wine.
New Year traditions and customs in Spain
Until now, in many places, an old tradition is alive: to gather near temples at night and discuss the most diverse events of the outgoing year. Previously, during such “spontaneous meetings”, the Spaniards wrote different names on pieces of paper and mixed them in a special bag. Then those present took turns drawing lots. Some don Pedro came across to you - which means that he will be your couple for the whole New Year's Eve, or even until the end of the holidays.
A very important tradition that is observed to this day: during the period when the clock strikes twelve, you need to quickly eat 12 grapes. In this case, it is desirable to make a wish. The Spaniards believe that the observance of the custom will bring happiness, which is enough for the whole next year.
Another tradition is to organize processions and carnivals on holidays. True, most of them fall on the eve of the Day of the Magi (from January 5 to 6), but something similar can be observed on the New Year itself. Participants in the processions, festively dressed, throw sweets and toys to the children who greet them.
Spanish Santa Claus
Olentzero - that's the name. His second name is Papa Noel. This comrade is no stranger to simple earthly joys: he goes from house to house with a bottle of good wine. A sad (but with a good ending) legend tells about the origin of Olnetzero. Once a little boy who had no parents, a certain fairy attached to a childless family. He grew up and began to make toys.
And Olentzero had so many toys that the good man went to the poor children and gave them everything. Since then, children have always been happy to wait for Olentzero and his gifts. But he died saving the kids from the fire. The same fairy did magic: she revived Olentzero and turned him into a good wizard. Now, before the New Year, he presents children.
In Spain, they love the New Year and approach its celebration in an extraordinary way. The Spaniards know: how you meet this holiday, you will live the whole year. Therefore, joy and noisy fun here do not stop until the morning.
