Tickets to a Spanish Christmas

Feliz Navidad ninos and ninas! In Spanish that means Merry Christmas boys and girls. This is your travelling friend Fly-About Franny. After spending a few days in Mexico last week, I got an email from Santa saying he wanted me to zip right along to Spain. I liked the Mexican tamales so much that I definitely wanted to see how the Spanish cook them for Christmas. Did you also know that both Mexicans and Spanish children speak a version of the Spanish language? It's a small world after all! Giggle!

Spanish children start celebrating Christmas on December 8th with the holiday called Immaculada. Then on the 22nd of December, people gather around their TVs and radios for the Christmas Lottery. This takes many hours, but people all over buy lottery tickets in hopes of winning El Gordo. There are three big lottery prizes and thousands of smaller prizes that give to people all over Spain. December 24th is known as Nochebuena, or the Good Night. Spanish families gather together for a feast and a party. As well as turkey, the Spanish like turron, an almond and honey tasting candy.

Christmas morning is a time when children receive small gifts. Like Mexico, Spanish families wait a few weeks for the Three Kings to bring bigger presents. On Christmas Day, shops are closed, but people still go to restaurants or other food places. It's meant to be a quiet day to spend with family. Many families will go to church in the morning, before the big meal served during lunch. An activity unique to Spain is swinging. Many houses set up special swings for children and sing songs throughout the afternoon.

Thanks for joining for another week of Franny Fridays! I'll be heading off to the islands of the Philippines next week. Maybe I'll be able to get a suntan and meet people celebrating Christmas on the beach! Until then, stay good, Santa's always watching!