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bemused fellow Brit 'All
hell breaks loose!' The Spanish can party any other race into the ground
but you will have a fantastic, if exhausting, time while you try to
keep up.

1st January: Hangover day. What more can be said?

5th January: All over Spain, this is the night the children have been
waiting for. The three kings hit town in fabulous parades from which
they hurl, literally, tons of sweets into the watching crowds. These

parades are something you have to see the pen may be mighty but not that
mighty!

6th January: Epiphany. This is the day the children find out what
Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar (who seems to be the favourite) have brought
them. They are often given lumps of coal' as a joke but this coal is
made from sugar even if it does look extremely realistic. Just as
British children will hang a stocking up, Spanish children will leave their
shoes on the doorstep or window sill, often filled with hay or food for
the camels. Since Balthasar is such a favourite because it is widely
accepted that it is he who actually gives the presents and he usually is
depicted riding a donkey, hay is the most popular stuffing.

7th January: Like a switch being thrown, everything goes back to
normal. The children go to school and parents go back to work. But there is
next year to look forward too!

One aspect of a Spanish Christmas that is often over-looked is the huge
amount of work the three kings do. During the weeks up to 6th January,
they visit hospitals, schools and nursing homes, call on the sick and
raise huge amounts of funds for charity wearing very elaborate costumes
befitting kings and, of course, often with the necessary string of
servants.

Learn more about this author, Arthur Webster.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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