Language Matters

Although Santa makes appearances throughout December, but he is considered

more commercial and is not the provider of Christmas gifts. The true stars of

Spanish Christmas are Los Reyes Magos, the Three Wise Men. The story says

that they saw the star of Bethlehem when Jesus was born and followed it for 12

days and 12 nights to bring him gifts. So, to replicate this, on the evening of 5th

January, towns host a spectacular Cabalgata, a parade in which the 3 Kings

arrive in each town colourful floats with horses and lots of music and

excitement. They throw handfuls of sweets into the crowds for the children

who then rush home to go to bed to wait for the 3 Wise Men to deliver gifts

overnight. The next morning, on 6th January, children wake up to their main

presents and families gather to enjoy Roscón de Reyes, a crown-shaped bread

like cake in which a tiny king figurine and a bean are hidden. Find the king and

you’re blessed with good luck; find the bean and you’re paying for next year’s

cake.

New Year’s Eve is a mix of family celebrations and social revelry. Spain is

known for the eating of twelve grapes at midnight on 31 st Dec, one for each

chime of midnight. This sounds simple in theory, but when the clock begins its

rapid-fire countdown, those grapes suddenly become the most stressful snack of

your life. Completing all twelve in time promises good luck for each month of

the year ahead.

To conclude, wherever you are reading this, we wish you a very Feliz Navidad

and a Prospero Año Nuevo and we hope to be a part of your Spanish language

journey in 2026!