Christmas on the Costa Blanca

Christmas, also called "Navidad" in Spain, is one of the most important holidays in the country, celebrated in a traditional and solemn way. This holiday has a deep religious meaning and is an opportunity to meet family and loved ones.

Here are some typical traditions and customs associated with Christmas in Spain:

1. Midnight Mass: On Christmas Eve, there is a Midnight Mass, a solemn mass that usually begins at midnight. People look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ into the world and celebrate this occasion together.
2. Nativity scene: Like many other countries, Spain also creates traditional nativity scenes, depicting a stable in Bethlehem with figures of Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Three Kings and other biblical characters.
3. Christmas Food: On Christmas in Spain, people eat special foods. One of the typical dishes is "pavo trufado de Navidad", i.e. turkey stuffed with truffles. Other popular dishes include "bacalao" (dried cod) and "turrón" (a type of nougat) and other sweets.
4. Christmas lottery: In Spain there is a popular tradition of "El Gordo" (the fat one), which is a special Christmas lottery that has a very high prize pool. The draw takes place on December 22 and is an event greatly awaited by the inhabitants of the country.
5. Epiphany: In Spain, Epiphany, or "Día de Reyes", celebrated on January 6, is as important as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On this day, children receive gifts, just like Baby Jesus in the biblical tradition.
6. Decorations: Spaniards decorate their houses, squares and streets for Christmas. Many towns and villages have beautiful illuminations and decorations, which add to the festive mood.

It is worth noting that Spain has different regions and in some of them there may be differences in Christmas traditions and customs. Overall, however, Christmas in Spain is an opportunity to celebrate together, focus on family and reflect on the meaning of this important religious holiday.