In Spain during Christmas time we do not celebrate with Santa Claus. Instead we celebrate with the traditions of the Three Kings who bring Christmas gifts the night of January 5th and Tió de Nadal, who gives out sweets and treats on Christmas Eve.
The Three Kings (los Tres Reyes Magos, literally the Three Magic Kings) is the holiday that celebrates when the Kings brought gifts to the baby Jesus. The night before the family gets together to leave a glass of cognac for each king and some water for the camels. The kids leave out their empty shoes hoping to receive gifts. The next morning, the family meets around the nativity to open the gifts (if the children have been good) or pieces of coal made with sugar, if the children had been bad.
In Catalonia, the north-east region of Spain, children celebrate the Tió de Nadal (the Christmas log) also known as Caga Tió (the pooping log). The night of December 24th, families feed the log and cover him with a blanket to keep him warm. At the end of Christmas Eve, after diner, kids wake Caga Tió up and he gives out little presents. The family sings together around the log and the kids hit him with sticks to help him digest diner and “give out” the small presents. The log drops candy and treats until he drops a garlic clove which signifies there are no more presents.
Though the way in which we celebrate may differ, all Christmas traditions center around the family and spending time with loved ones, specially the little ones.
¡Felices Fiestas!
