Putting up the Christmas tree. Putting up the Christmas tree is the start of Christmas for me. I have fond memories of decorating the Christmas tree with my brothers when we were young, whilst we sang along to the carols playing on the radio. Mum would bring out a plate of mince pies and cups of hot chocolate when we’d finished and then we’d sit around the coal fire and sing more carols. Which leads me onto number 2:
Single All The Way
Singing carols. I can’t sing in tune but I don’t care. You only get to sing carols for one month a year and I join in with gusto. I always attend a carol service around Christmas time, and continue with this tradition now I’m living in Spain. We went to a carol service organised by a local ex-pat choir last year, they sang all the traditional carols, and even donned Christmas hats and jumpers. It was great fun.
Going to Midnight Mass. Dave (my husband) and I used to go to Midnight Mass at the Cathedral when we lived in the UK and it really was a lovely experience. I love the way everyone greets each other when the service is finished, shaking hands, wishing each other Merry Christmas, as they leave. In Spain, Midnight Mass is known as La Misa del Gallo (The Mass of the Rooster) and the main Christmas meal is eaten just before or just after the mass. We went to Midnight Mass at one of the local churches but can’t speak Spanish very well, so couldn’t understand much of the Spanish service. It was very jolly though and we were delighted when the congregation started dancing to music and invited us to join them.
Nativity displays. You can see some beautiful nativity scenes in the UK but the Spanish really excel at them. These scenes are called Beléns (Spanish for Bethlehem) and are very elaborate and detailed. Whole villages are created, with houses, shops, animals, as well as the traditional nativity scene. In each scene there is always a man crouching with his trousers down, hidden in a corner somewhere. This man is called The Caganer and is often modelled on someone famous.
Being with family and friends. I love how Christmas brings everyone together, how some people travel miles just so they can see each other on Christmas Day. This is my third Christmas living in Spain and at first I missed our family very much, but we were lucky and had good friends we could spend Christmas with. Earlier this year one of my daughters moved to Spain with her two children so I’m really looking forward to having a traditional family Christmas.
Eating Turkey and Mince Pies. I really love traditional Christmas food, turkey, Christmas pudding, mince pies, Christmas cake, mulled wine… Christmas wouldn’t be the same without them for me even if I do feel stuffed for days afterward.
The Three Kings. In Spain it’s the Three Kings who bring the children’s presents and they arrive on the eve of January 6th, parading through the crowded streets of the towns on their camels, accompanied by a variety of decorated floats. They throw out sweets for the children, who all scramble to gather up as many as they can. There is lots of singing and dancing and it’s a spectacular end to the Christmas festivities
Single All The Way by Karen King is out now