Las Navidades en España

Luces callejeras =Street lights

• Street lights appear all over the towns just like so many other places in the world

El Belén = Nativity Scene

• This is traditionally the most important decoration in houses and towns.

• They try to recreate the life in villages at the time when Jesus was born, although scenes are not always true as imagination can run riot.

El Belén en la ciudad =Nativity Scene in the town

• It is very common to see Nativity Scenes in towns.

• Again they vary in sizes, and in some the statues can be life size.

• You can also see living ones.

El árbol de Navidad = the Christmas Tree

• This tradition has only been added in the last few decades and it is continuing to grow among the households in Spain.

Los villancicos =Christmas Carols

• Spanish traditional carols are very different to English ones.

• Of course we also have Jingle Bells, Silent Night and others sung in Spanish

La ZambombaTraditional Christmas instrument to sing carols

La nochebuena =Christmas’ eve

• Family and extended family get together for a special dinner

• Food varies from region to region although turkey, goose or chicken is normally present

El turrón = traditional Christmas Sweet

Los regalos de Navidad = Christmas presents

• This is NOT necessarily the main date for presents.

• It varies how few or how many presents are given on this date, if at all.

El 25 de diciembre

¡Feliz Navidad! Happy Christmas!

A repetition of Christmas Eve