Christmas in Spain

Everything shifted for us on that first Christmas here in Spain. We set out to embrace a different kind of holiday season. Where it was no longer family-centred. But just the two of us. Simpler and free from the commercial chaos of Christmas Past. For me, I had to make drastic changes to control the internal feelings that I knew would arise from stepping away from the role that I had loved for so many years. We decided not to put up a Christmas tree, but just a few decorations. We no longer buy gifts for each other, we've swapped the expense of Christmas cards for charity donations, and we have controversially skipped the traditional Christmas dinner (yes, shock horror, really!)

Do I miss Christmas Past?

Yes. But I don’t miss the overspending, crowded shops, endless cleaning, cooking, or the 5lbs that always crept on! What I do miss are the family games, stockings at the end of every bed, and the magic. But, that baton has been passed to our daughters, who are creating their own Christmas magic for our grandchildren, and that makes me immensely happy.  

For many of the years here, the sun has been shining. We spend some time outside. Then later, it’s Christmas films with a vino or five, and enjoying the relaxation of a few days off work. New traditions, quiet, low-key, different, but deeply ours. We celebrate health, freedom, and happiness. Gifts that no money can buy.  

Are you new to Christmas in Spain?

I believe that Christmas / Christmas Day is what you make it. Whether it’s wrapped in tinsel and tradition, filled with family games and feasts, or kept simple with a walk in the sunshine and a quiet meal together. It doesn’t have to follow the rules or match what everyone else is doing. The beauty of Christmas is in shaping it to suit your new life, your circumstances, and what brings YOU joy. When you take away the pressure to spend, perform, or create a picture-perfect day, you’re left with the true heart of the season. Connection, peace, and making memories in a way that feels right for YOU.

When you can, try including yourselves in the Christmas traditions here in Spain for the festive season. Here's a few that I know of:

• El Gordo A huge shared ritual, which we join in with every year, is buying lottery tickets for El Gordo. The Spanish like to watch the draw on television on 22 December
• Christmas Eve (Nochebuena, 24th December): Families gather for a big meal, often late at night. In some Andalusian homes, people still burn a large log or olive wood in the fireplace on Christmas Eve, more symbolic than practical, linked to old rural traditions (The olive tree symbolised life, continuity, and protection, especially important to families who depended on the land. On Christmas Eve the largest, slowest-burning log was placed on the fire and kept going through the night to represent warmth, light, and safety during the darkest part of the year. Families believed the fire protected the home from misfortune, illness, and storms in the coming year. Some households kept a piece of the burnt wood or ashes and scattered them later on fields, around the house, or in animal shelters as a blessing for crops, livestock, and family wellbeing)
• Midnight Mass (La Misa del Gallo): Many attend church after the Christmas Eve meal.
• Christmas Day (25th December): More low-key than in the UK; it’s usually about rest, family time, and food rather than lots of gifts.
• Holy Innocents Day (28th December): Similar to April Fools’ Day, with jokes and pranks. Including sticking paper figures called inocentadas on people’s backs!
• New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja, 31st December): Where there is a tradition to eat 12 grapes at midnight, one with each clock chime, for good luck.
• On the eve of the 3 Kings (5th January), towns hold colourful parades (Cabalgatas) welcoming the Three Kings.
• Three Kings’ Day (Día de los Reyes, 6th January): The biggest gift-giving day, when children receive presents. Roscón de Reyes is a soft, lightly sweet bread rather than a heavy cake, shaped in a ring to represent a crown. It is traditionally covered with candied fruits that symbolise jewels, and sometimes sliced open and filled with cream, custard, or chocolate. Inside are hidden surprises: a small figurine and a dried bean, and whoever finds the figurine wears the cardboard crown, while the person who finds the bean is meant to buy next year’s Roscón. It is eaten on 6 January for Three Kings Day, usually at breakfast or after lunch with hot chocolate or coffee. Hot chocolate is taken seriously over Christmas and is thick, almost spoonable, often eaten with churros when families meet up late at night.