How to say Merry Christmas in Spanish

Today here in Salamanca and most of the places in Spain, everyone is waiting for having Christmas dinner with their families. The spirit of the New Year and Christmas is so vivid among Spaniards and if it is your first time to celebrate Christmas here, be ready to say “¡feliz Navidad!”

Generally on the 24^th of December on Nochebuena, most of the shops and restaurants are closed during the holidays. As it is a familiar ritual you it is hardly to see anyone going out for dinner on that day. Giving presents is an important tradition and it might be a little difficult to walk on the streets because of the crowd if you wait to pick a regalo till the last day. The streets and the buildings are decorated all in red and white with Santa Claus figures yet Christmas in Spain is mainly celebrated more in a religious sense. The families hang the statues of Jesús or Belén and the flags are waving from the balconies showing that Navidad is not only a holiday here but also a historical and cultural event. During the month of December there are several exhibitions and also animated shows about Belén can be seen in most of the cities.

Villancicos take a great part of the Christmas activities at school, church and at home that mostly the kids live the Christmas joy singing the traditional songs and presenting shows. No matter the religious themes stand out more in Spain, the common sense, friendship, being more polite, understanding and helping others are quite the same feelings as in other countries. As said in Dickens’ famous novela A Christmas Carol “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” Therefore it is necessary to keep the good sentiment all the time especially in tough times like these and don't forget that each new year is another opportunity for new resolutions.

It all depends on you how to celebrate Christmas this year but here is a list of essential vocabulary for you to understand Navidad in Spain. ¡Felices Fiestas everyone!

Nochebuena: Christmas Eve
Feliz: Merry,Happy
Navidad: Christmas
Belén / Nacimiento: Nativity Scene
Cirio, candela: Candle
Ángel: Angel
Peregrinos: Pilgrims
Fiestas: Holidays
Rey: King
Flor: Flower
Regalo: present
Villancico: Christmas carol
Paz: Peace
Amor: Love
Felicidad: Happiness
Los Reyes Magos: Three Wise Kings
Papá Noel: Santa Claus
Árbol de Navidad: Christmas tree
Deseo: Wish