FELIZ NAVIDAD

Y próspero año nuevo

ChristmasdecorationsIn Spain people decorate theirhouses with el Belén (the nativity scene) and a Christmas tree.

On the 24th December children go together singing villancicos (Spanish Christmas carols) from house to house. They ask for el aguinaldo, which is the money given in Christmas.

Those are some of the instruments used for singing the villancicos

Zambomba Pandereta

Cascabel

Christmas EveIn Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) families get together to have dinner. They usually have soup, seafood, eggs,cheese and ham ...The traditional Christmas sweets areturrón (noughat), polvorón (powderycookie) and mazapán (marzipan).

Christmas DaySanta doesn't bringpresents to Spanish children. This is because Santa is very busy

bringingpresents to children in England. But don't worry,Spanish children will get presents from the Three Wise Men later on!

The Day of the Innocent

The 28th December is Spanish Aprilfool's day! On that day people makejokes to each other and they say“¡Inocente!”

New Year's EveIn Nochevieja families get together tohave dinner and at midnight they watchthe campanadas (the twelve bell rings)onTV or they go to the town hall square.With every bell ring they eat a grape and they make a wish.

The Three Wise MenOn the 5th January at night the Three Wise Men arrive to Spain in their camels from the Far East to leave presents to Spanish families. Peoplewelcome them in their cities with big

paradesand the Three Wise Men throw sweets asthey make their way.

Spanish children write letters to them saying how they have behaved during the year and what they would like to get. On the night of the 5th children clean their shoes and leave them by the Christmas tree or the Nativity scene. They also leave food and water for the ThreeWise Men and their camels.

On the 6th January Children will getpresents if they have behavedotherwise they will get some coal.

Afterwards they have hot chocolate and roscón de reyes for breakfast.