Ah Christmas, they say it's the most wonderful time of the year. In the United States, Christmas is a time of giving and receiving, spending time with family, and, in most Christian families, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is arguably the most commercialized holiday celebrated by Americans. In fact, according to CBS News, the average American will spend $700 on gifts this holiday season, which adds up to a total of $465 billion spent nationally. From mall Santas as far as the eye can see to Christmas music in every retail store you enter. Christmas is a time of good cheer and high spending in the United States. But what about other countries? Is the Christmas season all about giving and receiving gifts? Are Spanish children rewarded by Santa Claus with gifts and toys on Christmas Eve? In this essay we will look at what Christmas time means in Spain and what traditions are prevalent in their culture. We'll also look at American traditions related to Christmas and how they compare to those of Spain. First of all, the Christmas season in Spain is longer than the American Christmas season. While the Christmas season in America doesn't really have a start, celebrations end on December 30th. The Spanish Christmas season officially begins on December 8, with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception; and ends on January 6, or El Dia de los Reyes Magos (Day of the 3 Kings). Between this period, there are four other celebrations, including the Day of the Holy Innocents which occurs on December 28, “Nochebuena” (Good Night) celebrated on Christmas Eve, Navidad (Christmas) celebrated on Christmas Day and Nochevieja ( The Old Night) being celebrated on New Year...... middle of paper ......g children's gifts. Instead, Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar do it! Children often leave their shoes filled with barley and wheat on balconies, porches or under the Christmas tree, for the 3 kings to leave presents there overnight. In the morning, barley and wheat are replaced by toys, sweets and other gifts! In conclusion, the Christmas season in Spain is a more sacred and traditional event than in the United States. If you were in Spain during this season, you would likely witness large parties among family and friends, worshipers in the streets, and children swinging and singing Christmas carols. Gifts are given at this time, but the Spanish consider it more as a time of worship and family togetherness. Although they generally spend less money during the Christmas period in Spain, it is just as important a holiday as in America..