Different traditions in UK and Spain

The more I live in the UK, the more I realise how different these countries are. In Spain there are all kinds of traditions that have been followed by everybody all over the country for centuries. I can’t really think of any British traditions that are still fully alive these days.

For instance, just during Christmas, Spain has got the following traditions:
- Setting up the nativity scene (with the traditional “caganer“)
- Buying “Loteria de Navidad” and “Del Niño”
- Lots of seafood
- Singing Christmas Carols at home whilst playing the “zambomba” and the “pandereta”
- Eating the “12 lucky grapes” in New Year’s Eve
- Eating “Turrones”
- The “roscon de reyes”
- And the most important of them all: The coming of the Three Wise Men.

Santa Claus has only been in Spain for the last 10-15 years, before that, the real “kings” of the whole Christmas were the “Reyes Magos” (= Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar). Basically, they are the three wise men (or Magi) who travelled for two years following a Star and brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus.

Hence, Spanish gift giving tradition follows this Biblical story and not any North Pole nonsense as Santa Claus.

The tradition is that on the night of the 5th of January all kids must leave their shoes outside (in the window sill, or outside your bedroom door) so the Three Wise Men know where to stop to leave the presents. Normally, also, it is good practice to leave “refreshments” for the Kings and their camels; this widely varies depending on the area or family. Some leave milk and biscuits, some leave brandy and chocolates. It really doesn’t matter as long as you leave something out for them to recharge their energy!

Somebody was asking me earlier what I had asked for this year to the Three Wise Men and I had to answer that unfortunately it’s been quite a while since they brought me any presents. Obviously, it is quite a journey for them to come to the UK as well, so I fully understand that they can’t come all the way just to bring presents for me. Plus, the fatty bearded man is a good deputy-present-courier and I won’t complain if presents come early each year.

Having the “Three Wise Men” festivity on the 6th of January had one good aspect and one bad aspect.
- Good one: Christmas holidays last longer, as you don’t go back to school until after that day
- Bad one: You normally go back to school straight after it, so you don’t really have much time to play with your brand new toys.

I used to love the excitement of leaving my room in the morning and see all the presents there right under the tree. I can’t really remember when I stopped believing, but I don’t remember it being a huge disappointment. I suppose that having two older brothers would influence it, as I’m pretty sure they managed to drop a few hints before my mum told me they are not real.