Spanish Christmas traditions for kids

Christmas celebration in Spain is deeply religious, as Mary is the patron saint of the country. Another important aspect of the celebrations in Spain is involvement of the family in a big way. Spanish Christmas traditions for kids reflect the religious aspect of the celebrations. Officially, Spanish Christmas celebrations begin on the 8th of December, which is the day of the feast of Immaculate Conception. Some of the Christmas traditions in Spain are setting up the nativity scene, celebrating Christmas Eve, feast of the Epiphany and feast of the holy innocents. Homes and neighborhoods are brightly decked up to celebrate the feast of Christ

Belene

Belene is the Spanish term for nativity scene; the word literally means Bethlehem as the entire town is included in that nativity scene. Setting up the nativity scene with the family is a beautiful Spanish Christmas tradition for kids. This is a tradition which is followed till date with much enthusiasm by the family, especially kids. Other than the regular figures in the native scene, the Spanish nativity scene includes shepherds, farmers with their plow, sheep, washerwoman washing clothes, bakers baking edible among other things. Children also include houses, temples, streams, rocks, mountains and caves to the scene and make it look like an entire town.

Christmas gifts

Another unique, Spanish Christmas tradition for kids is that they receive their Christmas gifts on January 6th, which is the feast of the Epiphany. This date is believed to be the day on which the three wise men gave gifts to the infant Jesus. The Magi are very revered in Spain and instead of Santa Claus; it is the Magi who brings gifts for children. According to legends, around Christmas time the Magi reenact their journey to Bethlehem every year. On the previous night, children fill up shoes with straw and set it outside to feed the king’s camels; in return the king’s leave gifts for them in the shoe. 

Feast of Epiphany

During the feast of epiphany, children march towards the city gates, carrying special cakes and other food stuffs for the kings and their entourage. This is among one of the favorite Spanish Christmas traditions for kids. In the hope of meeting the three kings, the kids march towards the gate, but they are disappointed every year as they cannot meet them. So, they gather together and eat whatever eatables they were carrying and are then led to the nacimiento (life size nativity scene) in the village by their parents. There they see the three kings giving gifts to the baby Jesus in the manger.

Christmas Day

Christmas day is celebrated with the family. A fun Spanish Christmas tradition for kids is for them to gather and sing around the nacimiento. Families, relatives and neighbors exchange gifts and sweets with each other and enjoy the time. Another tradition common with some families is the traditional practice of doing Urn of Fate activity. It is an activity where the names of every family member is written on a card and put in a bowl. At a time, a couple of names are drawn from the bowl and those two people, are supposed to be friendly to each other all through the coming New Year.