This plant is a typical Christmas decoration in many countries, Spain included. This year we were given one as a present:

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It’s called “Flor de Pascua” in Spanish, or Poinsetia. It’s a plant of Mexican origin. Red top leaves are often mistaken for flowers, but they are actually bracts ( modified leaves ). Their function is attracting pollinators, that’s the reason for the bright red color.

Blooming is from November to February, so it coincides with Christmas. It became popular during the colonial period, when was used to decorate churches for Christmas.

It’s already the orange and mandarin season. Some time ago, I went to the orchards to visit the fruits when they are still unripe. I took some pictures:

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Mandarin orchard

Unripe mandarins (clementines)

Spain is, by far, the first producer in the world of citrus fruits destined to the fresh market. It’s followed by the United States.

In Spain, citrus fruits are produced mainly at the South of Tarragona, Valencia, Castellón, Murcia and Sevilla regions.

It’s supposed I should talk about Christmas because now it’s time…but I have very little good Christmas pictures. I think Christmas is similar everywhere. Family gathering, lots of eating/giving presents…and a few people will also remember the religious sense. In Spanish, Christmas is called Navidad. In Catalan, Nadal.

What do we do for Christmas? eating lots of turrón, polvorones, mazapanes (marzipan), neules (in Catalonia)…and many other Christmas sweets. Sometimes we also sing the typical Christmas Carols. In certain places it’s more usual to celebrate the night before Christmas ( 24th of December). In others, the 25th of December is more important. The family gathers these days and have a meal together. Fish and Shellfish is widely consumed so people buy it some time before and freeze it. As Christmas approaches, prices raise and raise.

About presents, traditionally were given the 5th of January. This is the night before Epiphany. The tradition says the three magi: Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar arrive at your home’s balcony with their three camels carrying presents for all the children who behaved well that year. If not, magi leave them coal. The night of the 5th of January you have to leave your shoes outside with some food and water for the camels and magi, because they will be very tired.

Nowadays, either Santa Claus or the “Three magi day” is celebrated. It depends on the parents. In my region there is another tradition for Christmas day. You need a log and a stick. The log is covered with a warm blanket and “feed” until Christmas. That day, children hit the log with the stick while singing a characteristic song. When the song finishes they touch under the blanket and realize that the log has “shit” sweets and presents. Please don’t take the word shit here very literally ^^U. In Spanish doesn’t sound so rude, maybe because Spanish people are very used to swear…I don’t know ^^U. People who visit Spain might be surprised with it.

Now, some pictures I took quickly today.

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A view of the roofs at night…roofs are different in every country. Don’t you think?

Sunset today…the sun set at 17:26 today.