| Christmas
Traditions
We celebrate in 28 of December "Innocents Saints" day. The equivalent in English is Fool's day (4th of April). It consists in people playing jokes on each other. This is a tradition that has been celebrated for a long time On this day you can not get angry in spite of people playing jokes on you. Even the most serious people are victim of some kind of jokes from their relatives, friends or schoolmates and you have to accept it with good humor. ORIGIN: "Innocent Saints" day is a Christian tradition based on the slaughter of children under one year old that king Herodes carried out in order to avoid Jesus arrival. The king was scared that Jesus baby one day could take his throne and that's why he ordered this massacre. The tradition reflects the innocence of those children who died unfairly. But in spite of this, Innocents Saints Day is not celebrated with sadness. On this day, newspapers also follow the tradition and some articles they publish are not true. Sergio
An old tradition in my country (especially in Catalonia) is the "TIÓ". This old tradition is aimed to children. The parents use their innocence to give them a surprise. The "TIÓ" is a little wooden log. This log is covered with a blanket and during a week before Christmas Day we feed "him" once a day. The 25 of December, while the children pray Jesus Cild in in their bedroom, the parents introduce the presents under the blanket.When the little boys return, they hit the "TIÓ" while they sing a song. When they finish the song, they raise the blanket very quikcly and see the presents under it. The "TIÓ" can make appear toys and other things, but generally it gives "nougat". "Nougat" is the typical sweet of Christmas in our country; it is made of sugar, hazelnuts, and chocolate.... There are several flavours, and it is delicious. The process can be repeated many times according to the children's behavior during the year and the number of presents that the parents have prepeared. When the "TIÓ" wants to stop giving presents it delivers sweet coal and the children understand it is the last time. The little children are happy with this ceremony and the parents are happy, when they see their happiness on such a special day. MARC LAUSIN
On Christmas something very special happens in Spanish families. Some little figures take life in a small city made of cork, plastic or other materials. Everything starts a few weeks before Christmas, around 10th of December. Families take out figures of about 6 cm., of the Jesus child, Mary the Virgin and Saint Joseph, the Three Wise Men and they introduce them in a fantastic world created by the little boys imagination, that wants to reproduce the scenery of where Jesus was born, and all that was there. In the crib, there may be Jesus, Virgin Mary, and other decorative figures like shepherds, sheep, little houses, angels and far away, the Three Wise men that are guided by a star; who also carry presents to Jesus. Every day they walk slowly to towards the birth place. The crib's fair is celebrated in Santa Lucia´s day, on 13rd of December, outside Cathedral until 24th of the same month. There are figures and everything to do with cribs. Houses made of stone, glass windows, and even shooting stars that guide the Three Wise Men on their way to the birth place. This is a Christmas tradition that comes from long ago, and everybody is excited because that is received every year, will long for ever. Xavier Sojo
During Christmas days, adults want to have lunch and dinner with their family. Children want to open the presents. The History: The Bible tells as that The Wise Men chased a star. They arrived at Bethleen to hand presents to "Jesus". People celebrate this tradition every year. As the time passes the tradition is different from the original. Not many people think now with the original celebration (Tradition). The Celebration: On December 24th "Jesus" was born and in that moment the Wise Men started their trip to Bethleen. On January 5th the Wise Men take part in a run along the city, and distribute sweets. On January 6th, early in the morning, children open their presents. That day they eat a special dessert called "Roscón de Reyes". The tradition says that the person that finds a small figure in it is the kind of the evening meal. Alberto Sanz.
Introduction: Is a traditional celebration in Catalonia. During this celebration all the family, gather in the grandmother's house, no matter how far away we live, Christmas lunch, and enjoy an excellent meal. The lunch: The "aperitif": (some snack to wet the appetite before lunch). It's the must enjoyable part of lunch. All the family dive into the chips or the peanuts. Maybe it the least traditional part of Christmas dinner. The first course: traditional Catalan soup with pasta (galets), it is called "escudella". The soup is made with vegetables, beef, and chicken. The second course: It depends a lot on the area in with you live, but in Catalonia the second course consists of chicken with plums. The chickens are bigger than usual. The dessert: in Catalonia we have nougat (called turró) and neulas (a kind of wafer). The drink: The drinks for adults: they usually drink "cava", in other countries is called champagne, but this kind of drink is made here in Catalonia and has a different elaboration and a different taste. The drinks of the children: they usually drink water, Coca-Cola or something like that. Being with the whole family: The company of yours relatives: to sum up these days we want to be with our family that is "sacred" we always want to have a happy time. We don't stop talking for 3 or 4 hours. Marc Vilar
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