How to wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in Spanish
With the Holidays fast approaching, there is no better time to learn how to wish a hearty Merry Christmas in Spanish. Christmas in Spain is a beautiful time of year. It is about celebrating with your loved ones and is also a religious event. When you can send well wishes and greetings in Spanish, you can share in the love, warmth, and celebrations of this special time.
MERRY CHRISTMAS GREETINGS IN SPANISH
If you are learning Spanish, you may well want to discover how to wish someone Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas in Spanish during the festive season. These are some phrases you can use:
- Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas/Happy Christmas)
- Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo a ti y a tu familia (I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year)
- Felices Fiestas (Happy Holidays)
- Mis mejores deseos para el año nuevo (Best wishes for the new year)
SPANISH CHRISTMAS VOCABULARY
To really get that festive feeling, understanding a few popular terms during Christmas time will help you share in the joy and the festivities. Some of the most frequently used festive-themed terms include:
- Nochebuena (Christmas Eve)
- Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve)
- Luces de Navidad (Christmas lights)
- Villancicos (Carols)
- Papá Noel (Santa Claus)
- Árbol de Navidad – (Christmas tree)
- Belén (Nativity scene)
- Velas (Candles)
- Los Reyes Magos (The three wise kings)
- La misa de gallo (Christmas church service)
- Regalos (Presents)
- Papel de regalo (Wrapping paper)
- Tarjeta de Navidad (Christmas card)
- Vacaciones (Holiday)
- Nieve (Snow)
- Celebrar (Celebrate)
- Desear (To wish)
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN SPAIN
In Spain, Christmas is often marked by the arrival of snow (nieve) with the onset of winter (Invierno). The city is decorated by lights and there are many exciting events that attract large crowds.
Christmas and New Year are wonderful Holidays in Spain. It is a time of many traditions. Spanish families prepare incredible feasts while the town hosts many parades including the march of the Three Wise Men. One thing is for sure, Christmas in Spain is a fun time of year for all to enjoy.
Many people in Spain will attend Midnight Mass in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is also referred to as “The Mass of the Rooster” (la misa del gallo), as it is believed that a rooster started crowing upon the arrival of the Christ child.
Another Spanish tradition is to eat seafood on Christmas Eve and some popular sweet dishes which include Polvorón that is a shortbread biscuit and Turrón which consists of a Moorish influenced candy bar.
Now that you know how to wish Merry Christmas in Spanish and are familiar with Christmas traditions in Spain, sharing special greetings can make the Holidays extra special in any Spanish speaking country.
Every year the celebration of Christmas and New Year in Spain is transmitted live through the main Spanish channels. You can watch it online visiting the website of Antena 3 taking into account the time change that may occur between your country and Spain.
Do you want to know more basic vocabulary in Spanish? Learn how to say happy birthday and best wishes in Spanish!
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