December Christmas Tradtions – Life in the Costa Blanca

December in Spain starts with two bank holidays; the first is Constitution Day which commemorates the 1978 referendum and the transition from Franco’s dictatorship to democracy but, it is also the St Nicholas day so many families from other parts of Europe who live in the Costa Blanca will begin their Christmas celebrations on this day. A lot of people will take a bridging day that links this holiday to the 8th which is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception a very significant Catholic holiday celebrating Mary and the conception of Jesus. During this time many towns and individuals will start to put up their Christmas lights and decorations and the season for Christmas markets, concerts and carols will begin.

Betlem / Belen – Nativity Scenes

One almost competitive tradition for all towns in the Costa Blanca when Christmas decorations begin to appear is the town’s Nativity Scene, known as Belen in Spanish and Betlem in Valencian. Most households will usually have a small version but, many of the community displays are truly spectacular. They will depict the scene of the nativity but, also the surrounding area of biblical Bethlehem and some will be mechanised. They will be prominantly displayed in the town, often close to the Christmas market and town tree and people enjoy looking at these incredible creations for hours. However, the baby Jeses is not the main focus of these onlookers but, rather the effort to find El Caganer (the pooper) who is hidden somewhere within the display. The origin of the inclusion of this unusual character remains unknown, some have surmised that they are a symbol of fertilisation of the land but, the pooper’s existance in most Belens may just have started as a cheeky prank .

Christmas Eve

The majority of Spanish families living in the Costa Blanca will enjoy their Christmas dinner on this night with Pavo Trufado de Navidad, Turkey with truffle stuffing or garlic lamb and seafood. Sweats will then be enjoyed which include Mazapanes, Turon and Polvorones. The King’s Christmas message is broadcast live to the nation at 9pm. After all this families will go to Las Misa Del Gallo (Rooster’s Mass) at Midnight which is know by this unusual name because of the belief that a rooster crowed on the night that Jesus was born. In the early hours of the morning an old tradition was to walk through the streets with torches and playing music which gave rise to the Spanish name for this evening Nochebuena, this is because of the saying that translates to “this night is a good night and it is not meant for sleeping”.

Christmas Day

This is not the main day for present giving in Spain but, close family will give children “estrenas” which is some money, sometimes this is given after the children have sung carols. Families will take advantage of the holiday by enjoying walks together, visiting friends and relatives and enjoying a festibe drink in a bar before returning home to lunch. Christmas is ofter one of Spain’s quietest days of the year. Wherever you live in the Costa Blanca you will see families out together enjoying the mild weather we so often have here during the Christmas period.  Some towns will have their own unique traditions and many people who live in Moraira will wash away any Christmas Eve indulgences is by participating in the Christmas morning swim. Onlookers cheer the swimmer on and wait for them with celebratory Cava.

Boxing Day – St Stephen’s Day

This is not necessarily a holiday throughout Spain but, only in certain regions and locally companies will decide whether or not they will be open. In the province of Alicante the 26th December is not a national holiday but, nonetheless many businesses will remain closed.

Innocents Day

The 28th of Deember is the Dia de los Inocentes which is very similar to April Fool’s day, everybody joins in with convincing unsuspecting innocent victims of bizarre stories, this is aslo done by newspapers and TV news channels. People also play practical jokes and buy joke items at the Christmas markets to give.

Conclusion

There is so much to look forward to when you live in Spain and Christmas is one of those, it is less commercialised and very much focused on family and community.  However, it’s not over yet! In Spain the main event follows New Year and is the celebration of Ephiphany starting with the Three Kings arrival on 5th January.