Question | Answer |
La Nochebuena | Christmas Eve |
El Día de Navidad | Christmas Day |
El Año Nuevo | New Year |
La Nochevieja | New Year's Eve |
El Día del Año Nuevo | New Year's Day |
las vacaciones de Navidad | the Christmas holidays |
el Día de Reyes Magos, Rosca de Reyes | Three Kings' Day/Epiphany--6th of January the day when presents are traditionally given in Spanish-speaking countries. |
el Día de la Candelería | February 2nd, the last day of the Christmas season, when the decorations are taken down and nativity scene Baby Jesus gets blessed at church. |
el Día de los Santos Inocentes | 28th December similar to April Fool's Day |
el Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe | 12th of December, patron saint of Mexico. Known as the Holy Mother of all Mexicans, it is said that she appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 as a Hispanic Virgin Mary. The image of her appeared on his tunic, still hanging in the Basílica (church) dedicated to her. |
las posadas | Dec 16-24 singing processions from house-to-house, marking Mary and Joseph's search for lodging. |
los adornos de Navidad | Christmas decorations |
los desfiles | parades |
el acebo | holly |
los regalos de Navidad | Christmas presents, commonly given on January 6th, Three Kings' Day (the gift-bearers) |
una tarjeta de Navidad | a Christmas card |
Árbol de Navidad | Christmas tree |
un calendario de Adviento | Advent calendar |
la Misa del Gallo | Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve--lasts through the early morning of Christmas Day |
un villancico | Christmas carol |
la flor de Nochebuena | poinsettia |
los Reyes Magos | the Three Kings, the Three Wise Men |
tomar las uvas | "to eat the grapes" In Spain a grape is eaten for each stroke of the clock at 12pm on December 31st. Each grape is supposed to represent good luck for each month of the new year. |
las cartas | letters, typically written to the Three Kings (the gift-bearers) |
las cometas | colorful kites flown with Christmas wish lists attached, typical for Guatemala and other Central American countries |
¡Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo! | Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year! |
un belén (Belén = Bethlehem), pastorelas | a nativity scene, a nativity play |
los pastores | shepherds |
los ángeles | angels |
Papá Noel | Santa |
un pastel de Navidad | a Christmas cake |
el pavo | turkey |
los tamales | traditional Mexican food made with cornmeal "masa" and meat or sweet filling, typically wrapped in cornhusks (or banana leaves on the coast of Mexico) |
la Rosca de Reyes | a large, round bun baked for 6th January with candied fruits and typically a Baby Jesus baked inside. (Host is chosen for Feb 2nd el Día de la Candelería) |
turrón | a typical Spanish sweet eaten at Christmas made with ground almonds |