Christmas Traditions in Catalonia

Hello friends,

We are sending you some photographs and a summary of some of the Catalan traditions celebrated at Christmas. We enjoy them very much and we hope you like them.

Please, let us know how you celebrated the last Christmas in your country.

All the best,

3rd ESO B. Santa Bàrbara.

THE CAGA TIÓ

The “caga tío” is a very good character because when you hit it with a stick, it gives you candies and jellies. This character is made of wood and it is covered with a blanket. When the children celebrate the “caga tió” they also sing a song. This tradition is celebrated at Christmas Eve.

New Year’s Eve

students of 3rd ESO celebrating New Year's Eve

In Spain, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with the family and the friends. We eat 12 grain grapes, one for each chime, at 12 o’clock at night. In some places, people go to their town squares to eat the grapes with their known people. We wear smart dresses and we buy cotillion bags. After eating the grapes, we drink a glass of champagne make a toast for the New Year. Afterwards, the young people go to discos and have a great party.

The three Wise Men.

Students with the Wise Men during the Parade

Parade in Masdenverge

The Kings of the East are, according to the New Testament, some magicians who brought gifts to Jesus, guided by a star. These gifts were gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The Twelfth Night is celebrated in Spain and in other places on 5^th to 6^th of January each year.

During the previous days, the innocent children write a letter to the Kings Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar asking what they want, they behave a bit better than the previous days and prepare emotionally for the arrival of the Kings.