¡La Navidad en España !

1. ¡La Navidad en España! Spanish traditions for the Holiday season

2. turrón Turrón is a nougat-like confection, typically made of honey, sugar, and egg white, with toastedalmondsor other nuts, and usually shaped into either a rectangular tablet or a round cake. It is frequently consumed as a traditional Christmas dessert in Spain and Italy. There are also some varieties in Latin America and the Phillipines In other countries it often appears, sometimes chocolate-coated, in a mixed box of chocolates.

3. polvorón Polvorón is a type of heavy, soft and very crumbly Spanish shortbread made of flour, sugar, milk, and nuts. They are produced mostly in Andalucia, which is a region in the south of Spain. Polvoronesare popular holiday delicacies in all Spain and ex-Spanish colonies in Latin America as well as the Phillipines. Traditionally they were prepared from September to January but are now available all year round.

4. villancico The villancicowas originally a specific poetic and musical form of Spain and Latin America popular from the late 15th to 18th centuries. The term is now used simple to refer to Christmas Carols.

5. cotillón After the family dinner and the grapes, many young people attend cotillones de nocheviejaparties. named for the Spanish wordcotillón, which refers to party supplies like confetti, party blowers, and party hats. Parties usually last until the next morning and range from small, personal celebrations at local bars to huge parties with guests numbering the thousands at hotel convention rooms. Early the next morning, party attendees usually gather to have the traditional winter breakfast of hot chocolate and fried pastry (chocolate con churros).

6. pandareta After the midnight mass service, people walk through the streets carrying torches, playing guitars and beating on tambourines and drums.

7. Epifanía Epiphany or Kings’ Day and is celebrated on January 6th, which is the twelfth night after Christmas. Most presents are opened on Epiphany, instead of Christmas. Some children believe that the Kings bring presents to them at Epiphany. On Epiphany Eve, they leave their shoes on windowsills, balconies, or under the Christmas tree to be filled with toys. Gifts are left for the Kings, and sometimes water is left for the camels, so the Kings can get there. Some towns and cities have Epiphany Parades, with a each King on a float. A special cake called ‘Roscón’ is usually eaten on Epiphany.

8. muérdago Mistletoe madness lasts way into January with people in Spain. Want to wish people “good luck” for the coming year? Give them a bunch of mistletoe anddon’t expect a kiss. As a typical gift, people in Spain hang mistletoe on a wall or lay on a table.  Outdoor Christmas markets & flower shops in Spanish cities are selling this lovely, intertwined plant.  It is neatly tied in a small bunch with a ribbon.  Many leave the little bunch out for months.