In Catalonia our Christmas holidays start on the 24th of December, that evening we have dinner with our family and we do the “caga Tió” and Christmas finishes on the 6th of January when the 3 kings have brought presents.The “Tió” originally it was a trunk that was lit in the chimney and it stayed light with the heat that the presents were giving it. Now a days, it is a trunk decorated with legs and a smiling face drawn on it.
From the 8th of December, called the “Puríssima day” the Tió is fed (with the skin of the fruit and vegetables that the children eat) and it is covered with a blanket so that it doesn’t get cold.
On the 24th of December we do the “caga Tió” that is when we sing a song many times knocking it with a stick.
The Tió never gives big presents, normally it gives sweats and little present and when it does not want to give any more, it tells you by giving you a piece of garlic, onion or coal.
On the 25th of December we have a Christmas lunch with the family, the next day on the 26th of December we celebrate Boxing Day, that day is normally when you see family that you have not been able to see on Christmas day.
During these holidays, all the houses have got “pessebres”, that represent when baby Jesus was born, made with moss, little sticks and ceramic figures representing the hole village. In some villages you can go and see a “pessebre” made up with real people, so that you can see it in live.On the 5th of January in the evening, all the children are looking forward for the 3 Kings to arrive: the white king “Melchor”, the blond king “Gaspar” and the black king “Baltasar”.
In Estartit, the kings arrive on the boat, and the children wait for them in the harbour with candles so that they can be guided through the night. They get on top of their camels and they throw lots of sweats for the children once they get to the church square.
The children that have not had time to send their letter to the kings, with what they would like, can give it to them personally.
After this, it is time to go to bed, without forgetting to leave them three glasses of milk and some biscuits for the kings and their camels that can be very hungry having to give out so many presents.
The next day, in the morning, if we have been good we will find presents under the Christmas tree, and if we have been bad? Coal for everyone!
