Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
#31
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
Originally Posted by lynnxa
our kings arrive by boat from the sea and parade through town on horseback, with their helpers throwing sweets to the kids
then all the kids form a huge queue up to a stage where the kings are giving out pressies - they all get to have a chat with a king & a pressie - all free
it's a bloody nightmare & takes ages but I wouldn't dream of not staying for it - the kids would kill me!
Boxing Day.....I was told at school it's because Queen Victoria used to gve her servants their gifts (in boxes) the day after christmas
then all the kids form a huge queue up to a stage where the kings are giving out pressies - they all get to have a chat with a king & a pressie - all free
it's a bloody nightmare & takes ages but I wouldn't dream of not staying for it - the kids would kill me!
Boxing Day.....I was told at school it's because Queen Victoria used to gve her servants their gifts (in boxes) the day after christmas
How is hubby? We haven't had an update from you for a while. I assume he is just on a diet at the moment.. ?
#32
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
Hi,
So when do children leave their shoes (to be filled with sweets/presents)outside their bedroom? Dec 5th, 25th, or Epiphany?
Carol
So when do children leave their shoes (to be filled with sweets/presents)outside their bedroom? Dec 5th, 25th, or Epiphany?
Carol
#33
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
Originally Posted by Carol&John
Hi,
So when do children leave their shoes (to be filled with sweets/presents)outside their bedroom? Dec 5th, 25th, or Epiphany?
Carol
So when do children leave their shoes (to be filled with sweets/presents)outside their bedroom? Dec 5th, 25th, or Epiphany?
Carol
You know.. most people do both..
Santa is on Xmas Eve so parents tend to give the kids presents and tell them that Santa brought them..
Kids leave their shoes out with sweets on the 5th.. usually by the nativity or Xmas tree..
Kids go back to school on the 8th of Jan so parents tend to give them toys and things they can play with on Xmas Eve and the "less interesting" stuff like clothes and so on Epiphany.. this way they get to play with their toys all over Xmas..
Having said this it is obviously up to you what you do..
#34
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
Hola Anabella,
I asked because just today someone at work had mentioned children celebrating the feast day of St Nicholas, and leaving their shoes out! They were talking about a northern european country (Holland?), and I think the 5th December was an important date. Then, I got to thinking about Spain and remembered the connection with the shoes!! Yes, confusing!
Regards,
Carol
I asked because just today someone at work had mentioned children celebrating the feast day of St Nicholas, and leaving their shoes out! They were talking about a northern european country (Holland?), and I think the 5th December was an important date. Then, I got to thinking about Spain and remembered the connection with the shoes!! Yes, confusing!
Regards,
Carol
#35
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
Originally Posted by Carol&John
Hola Anabella,
I asked because just today someone at work had mentioned children celebrating the feast day of St Nicholas, and leaving their shoes out! They were talking about a northern european country (Holland?), and I think the 5th December was an important date. Then, I got to thinking about Spain and remembered the connection with the shoes!! Yes, confusing!
Regards,
Carol
I asked because just today someone at work had mentioned children celebrating the feast day of St Nicholas, and leaving their shoes out! They were talking about a northern european country (Holland?), and I think the 5th December was an important date. Then, I got to thinking about Spain and remembered the connection with the shoes!! Yes, confusing!
Regards,
Carol
You are right, St Nicolas is in Holland today.. I find that confusing too..
#36
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
Originally Posted by anabella
You are right, St Nicolas is in Holland today.. I find that confusing too..
#37
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
I am sure the kids would be the last to moan if they got three lots of goodies
#38
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
Originally Posted by jdr
I am sure the kids would be the last to moan if they got three lots of goodies
.. any reason is good to celebrate..
I celebrate everything Spanish, English and American.. lucky me..
#39
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
Originally Posted by anabella
.. any reason is good to celebrate..
I celebrate everything Spanish, English and American.. lucky me..
I celebrate everything Spanish, English and American.. lucky me..
That`s being greedy
.
#40
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: warwickshire.
Posts: 339
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
Originally Posted by jdr
That`s being greedy
.
.
#41
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
Originally Posted by helenp
Can anyone tell me the main differences between Christmas in Spain and Uk good and bad and what you miss about the UK. Is it as good for the children I have two girls 1 and 5 and pending house sale will be coming to Spain next year.
Also what do the Spanish eat for Christmas Dinner is it Pork? (correct me if I am wrong)
Helen
Also what do the Spanish eat for Christmas Dinner is it Pork? (correct me if I am wrong)
Helen
Decoration: tipically we put the Belen,is a reconstruction of bethlehem town in biblical times with jesus , mary and joseph but we have christmast tree too (another foreing tradition).
#42
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
Originally Posted by Carol&John
Hi,
So when do children leave their shoes (to be filled with sweets/presents)outside their bedroom? Dec 5th, 25th, or Epiphany?
Carol
So when do children leave their shoes (to be filled with sweets/presents)outside their bedroom? Dec 5th, 25th, or Epiphany?
Carol
#43
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
Hola! Spanish young,
Thank you for this contribution.
If I were a camel, I'd rather have oats than turron! (No wonder camels have bad breath!)
Granada is beautiful
Regards,
Carol
Thank you for this contribution.
If I were a camel, I'd rather have oats than turron! (No wonder camels have bad breath!)
Granada is beautiful
Regards,
Carol
#44
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 25
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
It's called a pinata where the kids hit it with a stick until it bursts and then sweets fall out. Also it is called the day of the kings 'Los Reyos', legend has it that the children are supposed to leave a shoe outside the door for one of the kings to leave a gift on the night of the 5th, apparently for a joke parents will sometimes leave a piece of coal in the shoe, this is to indicate to the child that they have been too naughty to receive a gift. Isn't that a fantastic idea - the fact that the only presents they would get would fit in a shoe - not like in the uk when the kids start writing their list from the argos catalogue in November!!!! Another tradition for the New Year is to wear something red for good luck which is why you will find racks and racks of red underwear in the ladies section at this time of year!
#45
Re: Differences between Christmas in Spain and UK
Originally Posted by 5358tracey
Another tradition for the New Year is to wear something red for good luck which is why you will find racks and racks of red underwear in the ladies section at this time of year!
That's right starting the year with red underwear is supposed to give you good luck for the year.. but it has to be given to you, you can't buy it yourself.. you are supposed to burn your underwear the next day but most people don't do it.. it's a bit dangerous..