We are so excited to celebrate our first Christmas with our students. We decorated the school, we launched a great Christmas offer with big discounts, we just had a toast with our students and we wait with excitement for the Three Magi to come. But wait, do you know, why we do so?

 

How we celebrate Christmas in Tenerife

 

There is two important aspects about how people celebrate christmas in Tenerife:

 

The biggest difference people from northern Europe will experience when celebrating Christmas in Tenerife is: the weather. Tenerife is the island of eternal spring and even if there is sometimes snow up on Mt. Teide, there is no comparison to colder countries. Warm and sunny days, beaches and palm trees simply do not fit too well in the typical picture of a white Christmas. However people here try to create a feastful atmosphere by decorating the streets and buildings with flashing lights and Christmas motifs.

 

Second you must know, that the 24th of December is not the most important Christmas day for children in Tenerife. This is because in Spain it is not Santa Claus, who brings gifts to the children – it is the Three Magi on the 6th of January. Therefore Christmas Eve and Boxing Day are not so popular, as they are in other nations.
However people in Tenerife and the rest of Spain still celebrate them. It is common to have a good dinner on Christmas Eve and then walk around the neighbourhood to greet and toast with all friends and acquaintances. The Boxing Day is then usually more quiet. The family comes together to dine and spend a good time.

Children must be patient until the 6th of January to receive their christmas gifts. On the night of the 5th January families gather in public places in the whole country to watch the arrival parade of the Three Magi. Then children clean their shoes and leave them during the night together with some food for the camels. In the morning good children will find their gifts, while children who behaved badly may find some sweet carbon (Carbón dulce), a type of sweet to remind them to behave better in the next year. Later the family will meet to enjoy the “Roscón de Reyes”, a traditional cake and splendid meals to celebrate.

 

Christmas at SMS Spanish Experience

 

Our school will be closed on the Christmas holidays, which is from the 24th until the 26th and on the 6th of January (also it will closed on the 2nd of January due to New Year). However we will try to show and explain you during all the other days around Christmas, what this important feast means to us and why people love to celebrate Christmas in Tenerife. Also you should save the date on 5th January, as we will meet at the school to eat the popular “Roscón de Reyes” and watch the parade of the Three Magi in Adeje.

 

Whether you can be here to celebrate with us or you will spend the holidays at home:

 

We wish you a very Merry Christmas with your beloved ones!

 

Your SMS Spanish Experience Team