Friendly Rentals
  • Barcelona
  • Madrid
  • Seville
  • Valencia
  • General
  • Book your apartment
Friendly Rentals
  • Barcelona
  • Madrid
  • Seville
  • Valencia
  • General
  • Book your apartment
22 November, 20103 May, 2018

Presents and Christmas traditions in Spain

Presents and Christmas traditions in Spain


If you’re coming to Spain this Christmas, you will of course receive requests from your friends and family to bring them back a typical Christmas gift from this country. The variety is immense in Spain, like in any other country, thus as always we would like to give you a helping hand so here is a small guide and all the articles and products that are on sale during this festive season.

Christmas lottery

One of the long-awaited dates in Spain is the 22nd of December, the day that they celebrate the Christmas lottery or the Gordo meaning “the Fat One” as it is more familiarly known by the Spanish. This lottery was started around 1812 and since then has gained an increasing number of participants and therefore importance given that 70% of what is gained from the sale of these tickets goes to the winning prize money handed out in the Christmas lottery. Going at 20 euros a ticket it may seem expensive for a piece of paper, however, the prize money is also a lot as well (usually around 4 million euros) therefore there are an increasing number of participants in Spain and abroad every year who want to try their luck and buy one of these tickets. Another famous lottery is the Sorteo del Niño that takes place on the 6th of January and with a prize almost as large as the el Gordo. So, now you know, by buying one of these tickets as a present for a loved one you may also buy them luck.

Christmas treats and sweets

All kinds of sweets and treats are eaten at Christmas in Spain because tis’ the season for all kinds of gastronomic concessions. However, tradition stands and therefore in each household you will find mantecados (crumbly almond cakes), turron, polvorones (crumbly almond and cinnamon cakes), and mazapanes (little marzipan cakes). Practically all of these products are produced with almonds, a product sold everywhere in Spain and the majority originate from Arab tradition. Thus, mantecados, a very typical Andalusian product originated in the XVI century as a consequence of a surplus of cereals and lard, which is where they get their name from. Polvorones are very similar to mantecados although they contain almonds and originate from Andalusia, the most famous kinds produced in Seville. And of course you’ll know what marzipan is. Turron also mainly contains almonds but it is made in a different way to that of marzipan. There are a large number of varieties, so they would definitely be a successful present to put on your Christmas shopping list given that they are traditional, typical, and tasty.

Christmas Log, Olentzero, and the Three Kings

Spain is a very varied country, and its multiple facets are reflected in the diversity in Christmas traditions depending on the region that you’re in. Thus, if you’re coming to Barcelona, you will find many stalls and shops where they sell the typical Tió de Nadal (Christmas log), that is nothing other than a tree trunk covered by a blanket that after giving it a good beating gives out presents, normally sweets and small gifts. Usually, before doing so a Christmas carol is sung whilst looking at the nativity scene, and then after hitting the Tio with a stick they look under the blanket to see the presents that have appeared. If you are in San Sebastian this Christmas, the tradition that predominates there is the Olentzero (a kind of Father Christmas), a jolly and good-natured coal merchant that comes down from the mountain following the birth of Christ with lots of presents for the children. Every Christmas Eve there is a parade featuring the Olentzero in the form of a huge doll with his music and traditional Basque songs accompanying him. Thus, it’s not a bad idea to take one of these jolly and typically Basque figures home with you.

Roscón de Reyes (Kings’ Cake)

Of course, other typical figures are the Reyes Magos or Three Kings that every 6th of January come riding on their camels to give out presents to good children. The day before all the family gets together to enjoy a Roscón del Rey (Kings’ Cake in the shape of a donut) in their wait for the Three Kings and in the hope that they will leave presents for the next day. A figurine of one of the Three Kings as a present and explaining this nice tradition whilst eating some tasty Kings’ Cake will always go down well. You can buy the cake in any confectioners, bakery, or large stores. Another obvious suggestion is a fine bottle of Spanish Cava that is nothing other than the Spanish variety of Champagne and if you want to celebrate a New Years Spanish style, then take a few tins of peeled grapes and eat a grape at each chime of the clock at midnight, then celebrate in the New Year with a drink of typical Spanish Cava.

So, celebrate a Spanish Christmas and……may luck be with you (if you buy the Gordo or el Niño!).

Claudia – Marketing Team

Posted in Barcelona, Things to do in Barcelona
Claudia
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Post navigation

   The 2010/2011 ski season kicks off in the Sierra Nevada, Granada
French gifts and Christmas traditions   

You may also like

cupula palau

Modernista Tour of Barcelona

Continue Reading

20 Children’s Activities in Barcelona

Continue Reading

ABOUT US

FRIENDLY RENTALS

Friendly Rentals is a company based in Barcelona that specializes in short and mid-term rental of apartments.

Searchbox

Categories

  • Algarve
    • Events in Algarve
    • Sports in Algarve
    • Things to do in Algarve
    • Tourism in Algarve
    • Where to eat in Algarve
  • Amsterdam
    • Art and Museums in Amsterdam
    • Events in Amsterdam
    • Nightlife in Amsterdam
    • Shopping in Amsterdam
    • Things to do in Amsterdam
    • Tourism in Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
    • Art and Museums in Barcelona
    • Barcelona Bloggers
    • Events in Barcelona
    • FR Barcelona
    • Nightlife in Barcelona
    • Promotions in Barcelona
    • Shopping in Barcelona
    • Sports in Barcelona
    • Things to do in Barcelona
    • Tourism in Barcelona
    • Where to eat in Barcelona
  • Berlin
    • Art and Museums in Berlin
    • Berlin Bloggers
    • Events in Berlin
    • FR Berlin
    • Nightlife in Berlin
    • Shopping in Berlin
    • Things to do in Berlin
    • Tourism in Berlin
    • Where to eat in Berlin
  • Bilbao
    • Art and Museums in Bilbao
    • Events in Bilbao
    • Nightlife in Bilbao
    • Shopping in Bilbao
    • Sports in Bilbao
    • Things to do in Bilbao
    • Tourism in Bilbao
    • Where to eat in Bilbao
  • Buenos Aires
    • Art and museums in Buenos Aires
    • Events in Buenos Aires
    • FR Buenos Aires
    • Nightlife in Buenos Aires
    • Shopping in Buenos Aires
    • Sports in Buenos Aires
    • Things to do in Buenos Aires
    • Tourism in Buenos Aires
    • Where to eat in Buenos Aires
  • Cape Town
    • Events in Cape Town
    • FR Cape Town
    • Shopping in Cape Town
    • Sports in Cape Town
    • Things to do in Cape Town
    • Tourism in Cape Town
    • Where to eat in Cape Town
  • Costa Brava
    • Art and Museums in Costa Brava
    • Events in Costa Brava
    • FR Costa Brava
    • Shopping in Costa Brava
    • Sports in Costa Brava
    • Things to do in Costa Brava
    • Tourism in Costa Brava
    • Where to eat in Costa Brava
  • Florence
    • Art and Museums in Florence
    • Events in Florence
    • FR Florence
    • Nightlife in Florence
    • Shopping in Florence
    • Sports in Florence
    • Things to do in Florence
    • Tourism in Florence
    • Where to eat in Florence
  • General
    • Events
    • Friendly Rentals
    • News
    • Promotions
    • Sports
    • Things to do
  • Granada
    • Art and Museums in Granada
    • Events in Granada
    • FR Granada
    • Nightlife in Granada
    • Promotions in Granada
    • Shopping in Granada
    • Sports in Granada
    • Things to do in Granada
    • Tourism in Granada
    • Where to eat in Granada
  • Istanbul
    • Art and Museums in Istanbul
    • FR Istanbul
    • Nightlife in Istanbul
    • Shopping in Istanbul
    • Things to do in Istanbul
    • Tourism in Istanbul
    • Where to eat in Istanbul
  • Kyoto
    • Things to do in Kyoto
    • Tourism in Kyoto
  • Lisbon
    • Art and Museums in Lisbon
    • Events in Lisbon
    • FR Lisbon
    • Nightlife in Lisbon
    • Shopping in Lisbon
    • Things to do in Lisbon
    • Tourism in Lisbon
    • Where to eat in Lisbon
  • London
    • Art and Museums in London
    • Events in London
    • FR London
    • Nightlife in London
    • Shopping in London
    • Sports in London
    • Things to do in London
    • Tourism in London
    • Where to eat in London
  • Madrid
    • Art and museums in Madrid
    • Events in Madrid
    • FR Madrid
    • Nightlife in Madrid
    • Promotions in Madrid
    • Shopping in Madrid
    • Sports in Madrid
    • Things to do in Madrid
    • Tourism in Madrid
    • Where to eat in Madrid
  • Main
  • Majorca
    • Events in Majorca
    • Nightlife in Majorca
    • Shopping in Majorca
    • Sports in Majorca
    • Things to do in Majorca
    • Tourism in Majorca
  • Malaga
    • Art and museums in Malaga
    • Events in Malaga
    • Nightlife in Malaga
    • Shopping in Malaga
    • Sports in Malaga
    • Things to do in Malaga
    • Tourism in Malaga
    • Where to eat in Malaga
  • Miami
    • Events Miami
    • Shopping in Miami
    • Things to do in Miami
    • Tourism in Miami
    • Where to eat in Miami
  • Milan
    • Art and Museums in Milan
    • Events in Milan
    • Nightlife in Milan
    • Shopping in Milan
    • Things to do in Milan
    • Tourism in Milan
    • Where to eat in Milan
  • New York
    • Art and Museums in New York
    • Events in New York
    • FR New York
    • Nightlife in New York
    • Shopping in New York
    • Things to do in New York
    • Tourism in New York
    • Where to eat in New York
  • Osaka
    • Tourism in Osaka
    • Where to eat in Osaka
  • Paris
    • Art and Museums in Paris
    • Events in Paris
    • FR Paris
    • Nightlife in Paris
    • Shopping in Paris
    • Sports in Paris
    • Things to do in Paris
    • Tourism in Paris
    • Where to eat in Paris
  • Prague
    • Art and Museums in Prague
    • Events in Prague
    • Nightlife in Prague
    • Shopping in Prague
    • Things to do in Prague
    • Tourism in Prague
  • Puerto Vallarta
    • Events in Puerto Vallarta
    • Sports in Puerto Vallarta
    • Things to do in Puerto Vallarta
    • Tourism in Puerto Vallarta
    • Where to eat in Puerto Vallarta
  • Rio de Janeiro
    • Events in Rio de Janeiro
    • Sports in Rio de Janeiro
    • Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
    • Tourism in Rio de Janeiro
  • Rome
    • Art and Museums in Rome
    • Events in Rome
    • Inside FR Rome
    • Nightlife in Rome
    • Shopping in Rome
    • Things to do in Rome
    • Tourism in Rome
    • Where to eat in Rome
  • Salamanca
    • Art and Museums in Salamanca
    • Events in Salamanca
    • Nightlife in Salamanca
    • Things to do in Salamanca
    • Tourism in Salamanca
    • Where to eat in Salamanca
  • San Sebastian
    • Events in San Sebastian
    • FR San Sebastian
    • Nightlife in San Sebastian
    • Shopping in San Sebastian
    • Sports in San Sebastian
    • Things to do in San Sebastian
    • Tourism in San Sebastian
    • Where to eat in San Sebastian
  • Seville
    • Art and Museums in Seville
    • Events in Seville
    • Nightlife in Seville
    • Shopping in Seville
    • Things to do in Seville
    • Tourism in Seville
    • Where to eat in Seville
  • Sitges
    • Art and Museums in Sitges
    • Events in Sitges
    • FR Sitges
    • Nightlife in Sitges
    • Tourism in Sitges
    • Where to eat in Sitges
  • Tarifa
    • Art and Museums in Tarifa
    • Events in Tarifa
    • Nightlife in Tarifa
    • Shopping in Tarifa
    • Sports in Tarifa
    • Things to do in Tarifa
    • Tourism in Tarifa
    • Where to eat in Tarifa
  • Valencia
    • Art and Museums in Valencia
    • Events in Valencia
    • FR Valencia
    • Nightlife in Valencia
    • Shopping in Valencia
    • Sports in Valencia
    • Things to do in Valencia
    • Tourism in Valencia
    • Where to eat in Valencia
  • Venice
    • Events in Venice
    • FR Venice
    • Nightlife in Venice
    • Shopping in Venice
    • Sports in Venice
    • Things to do in Venice
    • Tourism in Venice
    • Where to eat in Venice

Popular

National Braai Day in Cape Town

29 August, 2012

A trip to Albufeira, the largest resort in the Algarve

15 October, 2012

Luxury Christmas apartment in London – the Onslow Gardens Apartment

21 November, 20124 May, 2018
  • English
    • Español (Spanish)
    • Deutsch (German)
Cargar más...
Síguenos en Instagram

© Copyright Friendlyrentals.com. All Rights Reserved.