La Navidad en España: comprensión auditiva || Aprender español

Summary

The video explores how Christmas is celebrated in Spain, beginning with the famous December 22nd lottery. It highlights important traditions like family gatherings for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with some families exchanging gifts. The celebration continues with quirky customs like the Day of the Innocent Saints on December 28th and the traditional 12 grapes at New Year's Eve. The festivities culminate in the Día de Reyes (Three Kings' Day) on January 6th, featuring parades, gift-giving, and the famous roscón de reyes. Spanish Christmas is filled with joy, food, family, and fun.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Christmas season in Spain begins on December 22nd with the Christmas lottery draw, which is widely participated in by Spaniards, even by those who aren't fans of gambling.
• 🎄 Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus, and it is typically a family gathering.
• 🎁 On Christmas Day (December 25th), gifts are often exchanged, especially for children, although it isn't the traditional day for gift-giving.
• 🎉 December 28th is celebrated as 'Día de los Santos Inocentes', similar to April Fool's Day in other countries, though it also commemorates the massacre of children by King Herod.
• 🍇 New Year's Eve (Nochevieja) is marked by a family dinner, followed by the tradition of eating 12 grapes at each stroke of the clock at midnight for good luck.
• 🥂 After eating the grapes, families toast with cava or cider to celebrate the New Year.
• 🎊 Many young people go to a party called 'cotillón' after New Year's Eve dinner to continue the celebrations.
• ☕ After the party, it's common to visit a café for chocolate and churros before heading home to rest and continue the celebrations with another family meal.
• 🍬 Traditional Christmas sweets such as polvorones, mantecados, marzipan, and turrón are commonly served during the holidays.
• 🎅 Homes are decorated with a Christmas tree and a nativity scene (belén) to celebrate the festive spirit.
• 👑 The Christmas season ends with the 'Día de Reyes' (Epiphany) on January 6th, when the Three Kings parade through cities in Spain, throwing candies to children.
• 🍰 On the evening of January 5th, children leave food and drink for the Three Kings, and they receive gifts if they have been good or coal if they've been naughty.
• 🍞 The next day, families open presents and enjoy a traditional dessert called 'Roscón de Reyes', which has surprises hidden inside, including a figurine and a bean.

Q & A

When does Christmas officially start in Spain?

Christmas in Spain officially starts on December 22nd with the Christmas Lottery draw, known as 'El Gordo'.

What is 'El Gordo' and how does it work?

'El Gordo' is the first prize of the Christmas Lottery in Spain. Many people, even those who do not like gambling, participate by purchasing a tenth, which is one-tenth of a lottery ticket, and they often share it with family, friends, and coworkers.

What is typically celebrated on December 24th in Spain?

On December 24th, Spaniards celebrate Nochebuena, a traditional family gathering to commemorate the birth of Jesus.

Are gifts traditionally exchanged on Christmas Day in Spain?

Christmas Day (December 25th) is not traditionally the day for exchanging gifts in Spain, but in some homes, especially for children, gifts are given on this day.

What is celebrated on December 28th in Spain?

December 28th is celebrated as Día de los Santos Inocentes, a day for jokes and pranks, similar to April Fools' Day in other countries.

What is the tradition associated with New Year's Eve in Spain?

On New Year's Eve (December 31st), it is traditional to eat 12 grapes, one for each chime of the clock at midnight. This is known as 'Las 12 Uvas de la Suerte'.

What do people do after eating the 12 grapes on New Year's Eve in Spain?

After eating the 12 grapes, Spaniards often toast with cava or cider to welcome the new year, and many go out to a party called 'cotillón'.

What do people in Spain do after partying on New Year's Eve?

After the 'cotillón' party, it is common to visit a café to have hot chocolate and churros before going home to rest and celebrate New Year's Day with another family meal.

What are some typical Christmas sweets in Spain?

Typical Christmas sweets in Spain include polvorones, mantecados, mazapán, and turrón. These are often served during the holiday season.

What is the significance of January 6th in Spain during the Christmas season?

January 6th is Día de Reyes, when the Three Kings (Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar) bring gifts to children. It is also celebrated with the traditional Roscón de Reyes, a round cake with surprises inside.

What happens on the night of January 5th in Spain for the Day of the Kings?

On the night of January 5th, a grand parade, or 'cabalgata', takes place in cities across Spain, where the Three Kings throw candies to the crowds. Children leave food and drinks for the Kings and their camels in exchange for gifts or coal if they have been naughty.

What is the Roscón de Reyes and what is special about it?

The Roscón de Reyes is a traditional Spanish cake served on January 6th. It is shaped like a ring and contains surprises inside, such as a figurine and a bean. If you find the figurine, you are expected to pay for the cake, and if you find the bean, it is considered a bad omen.