La Navidad en el Mundo Hispanohablante

Las Tradiciones Españolas

Los Regalos de Navidad Spanish tradition has it that the Three Kings, los Reyes Magos, are the ones who on the morning of January 6th, el Día de Reyes, bear presents for all the children. Los Reyes are repeating the ritual they performed after baby Jesus was born. Influenced by American films and TV shows, some families have decided to switch to Papá Noel on Christmas Day.

Las Comidas y Bebidas Christmas sweets are the main seasonal staple. El turrón (nougat) is essential. This almond-based sweet traditionally comes in two versions, duro (hard) with whole almonds in a paste of sugar, honey and egg white, or where the ingredients are ground together. Las figuras de mazapblando (soft) án, marzipan figurines, are also popular, together with los polvorones, soft crumbly cakes made with lard, flour and cinammon. The main meal takes place on Christmas Eve, la Nochebuena, and consists of a major dish of meat or seafood, such as cordero (lamb), bacalao (cod) or mariscos (shellfish), which varies according to the region or the family's preferences.

La comida del Año Nuevo The 'lucky grapes', las uvas de la suerte, are essential on New Year's Eve, la Nochevieja. A tradition introduced in the early 20th century, it's said to bring good luck if at each stroke of the bells at midnight you eat one grape and make one wish for the New Year, el Año Nuevo.

La Navidad en México (Christmas in Mexico)

The celebration are the fusion of indigenous and Spanish traditions. Variety of activities that span the period from December 16th to January 6th. The celebration are the fusion of indigenous and Spanish traditions.

LAS POSADAS

fiestas, which represent Joseph and Mary's arduous pilgrimage on their way to Bethlehem, and there are nine posadas, from the 16 to the 24 of December, because they symbolize Mary's nine months of pregnancy

PASTORELAS The Pastorelas in Mexico starts as simple parables of the struggle of good against evil. The light, humor-filled pastorelas are reenactments of the shepherds' adoration of the Christ Child

NACIMIENTO Nativity Crèche

NACIMIENTO Nativity scenes in wood, clay, metal, glass, wax, straw and almost any material you can think of, are another rich expression of popular art

FLOR DE NOCHE BUENA (Poinsettias) native to Mexico In Náhuatl they were called Cuitlaxochitl or star flowers in Spanish they are known as Noche Buena

NOCHE BUENA 24th December Celebration of a late-night Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass) Modern influences have introduced the Christmas tree and Santa Claus Opening of gifts Piñatas and luces de Belen (sparklers) Traditional Christmas supper

homemade tamales and atole (corn gruel) or other regional dishes roast turkey, ham or suckling pig are other popular menu items; as well as Romeritos (a herb) in Mole (a spicy chocolate sauce) with shrimps and potatoes; and Bacalao - cod served a la vizcaina, a Basque dish. The traditional dessert is colación, a mixture of candies in syrup. Ponche (a hot fruit punch), sidra (sparkling cider) or other spirits are served for the holiday brindis (toast).

NAVIDAD (Christmas day) A large reunion Mean meal around three o’clock in the afternoon, what it is known as “recalentado”, because the Christmas meal is reheated from the previous night

AÑO NUEVO 31st December - 1st January Big party, is ushered in with an abundance of noise, of wonderful fireworks and hundreds of skyrockets. Friends and families celebrate with huge bonfires, music, food and dancing Custom: 12 grapes at midnight, each one on the strike of the bell, for good luck in each one of the following twelve months family toasts with apple cider and start to eat (supper is the same as the Christmas)

DIA DE REYES 6th January Twelfth Night, Epiphany, Three Kings Day, January 6th The tradition in Mexico for Dia de Reyes, Kings Day, is for children to leave their shoes outside the door so they can be filled with gifts from the Magi (Three Kings: Melchior, Gaspar and Baltazar), commemorating the gifts carried by the them to the Christ Child Eating the traditional: “Rosca de Reyes”

Special bread made for the occasion in the form of a crown, decorated with dried fruits and hiding in its midst one or several little dolls The guest who finds the doll (representing the infant Jesus) in their slice of Rosca give a party on February 2nd, Candelaria, with tamales and atole for all.

Ornamentos

La Navidad en Colombia

Costumbres Interesantes El Juego de Aguinaldos se practica a partir del 16 y hasta el 24 de Diciembre. Son diversos juegos que divierten a los niños, pero que también juegan los grandes. La Carta al Niño Dios: Los niños hacen una carta para el "Niño Dios", donde le escriben los regalos que quieren recibir. Esta se pone en el Belén. Los regalos los trae entonces El Niño Dios, la noche del 24, y los deja sobre la cama de los pequeños.

Fechas Importantes Fechas Especiales: El 7 de diciembre se hace un día especial para adorar a la Virgen, y entonces se prenden las velas de Navidad y en algunos lugares especiales se arreglan las calles con muchas luces y figuras de colores para que las personas paseen y disfruten con sus familias Los fuegos están prohibidos. Hace unos años prohibieron el uso de la pólvora y los fuegos artificiales.

La Navidad en Uruguay

La reunión se hace en casa de los abuelos La reunión se hace en casa de los abuelos. Allí se reúnen hijos, tíos, padres, sobrinos, etc, etc.. La reunión se hace en casa de los abuelos. Allí se reúnen hijos, tíos, padres, sobrinos, etc, etc.. Comida y Picadita: Hasta hace unos 4 ó 5 años era seguro el lechón y a veces cordero. Hoy la cosa ha cambiado un poco y el pollo ha hecho su entrada triunfal. La mesa es grande, y se hace lo que se llama una picadita cuando todos han llegado. La picada consta de fiambres, queso, whisky, vino, Coca Cola, jugos, pedazos del cordero o lechón que se roban de la parrilla.

Los Rituales Importantes Compartiendo y Rodando: Cerca de medianoche se pasa a la charla pues a esa hora ya todos están llenos de comida. A las doce se brinda con sidra generalmente, se tiran muchos fuegos artificiales, muchas bombas de estruendo y comienza el desfile de saludos alrededor de la mesa. Sobre la una, los jóvenes salen a los bailes de Navidad. Es decir que quedan los mayores en la mesa. Se organiza una picadita de sobremesa.  El día siguiente: El veinticinco se reúnen al almuerzo con la otra parte de la familia. Esa comida del veinticinco es muy tranquila. Sobre todo porque todavía queda el cansancio del día anterior.

¿Qué recordáis? Contestad las preguntas que siguen con una compañera: True or false: In Spain, they celebrate Christmas on 25th December, like we do in England. On what day is Nochevieja celebrated? Give the Spanish names for 2 Reyes Magos? What do Spanish people drink instead of “champagne”? True or false: Naughty children in Spain receive a lump of coal for Christmas. What’s the Spanish word for camel? How many grapes do they eat on New Year’s Eve and why? On which 2 dates do Spanish Children receive presents? What’s the Spanish word for turkey? On what day is Nochebuena celebrated?