Christmas celebrations vary from one place to another around the world. CCTV reporter Rhiannon Jones is in Spain, to tell us more about how people there celebrate their Christmas.
“You really know when Christmas has arrived in Madrid when you see the long queues here. It’s considered by many the luckiest place to buy your ticket for ’El Gordo’, ’The Fat One’, the biggest and oldest lottery in the world.” said Rhiannon Jones, Madrid.
The Spanish Christmas lottery started in 1812. It’s drawn on December the 22nd and last year the total prize pool was over two billion euros. It’s no wonder everyone wants one.
"I buy my lottery ticket at Manolita’s because it’s lucky."
"If I win the money, I can change my life."
"It’s tradition in my family to come here, but I’ve never won. Let’s see if this is my year."
From the 1st of December, Christmas lights illuminate Madrid’s city center, the official Christmas tree goes up in Puerta del Sol, and even the most famous Spanish department store gets a festive makeover.
But most traditional of all, is thenativity scene.
"In Spanish tradition, which is a Christian tradition, it’s to represent the scene when Jesus was born."
Above all, Christmas in Spain is about spending time with your loved ones.
"It’s about being with your family, enjoying time with your friends. Going out for a drink in the evening. Very typical of Madrid are calamari sandwiches.
And the place to get your’bocata de calamares’ is at one of the many Christmas markets in Madrid’s plazas or squares. The main one is in Plaza Mayor, where you can buy all your festive decorations too.
once you’ve done all your Christmas shopping, you’ve seen the lights, visited the nativity plays and bought your lucky lottery ticket, the done thing here in Madrid is to eat a calamari sandwich. And who am I to break with tradition?
