Adornos para el Árbol de Navidad | Christmas Tree Decorations

The Christmas tree is the most used item all over the world during the Christmas season. It can be natural or fictitious, but it has a lot of decorations that could be defined differently in the Spanish Christmas vocabulary. Let’s look at some of these Spanish words and a small definition of each one of them.

  • Arbol de Navidad” – Christmas Tree. It is the traditional tree that is decorated inside and outside the houses to represent the arrival of Christmas.
  • Guirnalda” – Wreath / Garland. The “Wreath” is the hoop-shaped accessory that is placed on walls, doors, and walls with a series of decorations alluding to Christmas. These can be of different sizes and materials.
  • Luces navideñas” – Christmas lights. These are unusual lights that have different shapes and colors. The lights can be placed on the Christmas tree or anywhere else in the house. There are “Lluvias de luces” (Rain of Lights) and even “guirnaldas de luces” (lights garlands).
  • Velas” – Candles. They are the traditional colored candles, usually red and green, used to decorate tables, fireplaces, etc.
  • Cascabeles y Campanas” – Bells. They are the traditional bells that are heard a lot during Christmas, although the “Cascabeles” are characterized by their small size and can be carried in the hand.
  • “Los adornos” – Decorations or ornaments. It’s hard to imagine Christmas without decorations.
  • “La estrella” – Star. Most often placed at the top of the Christmas tree.

Nochebuena y Año Nuevo | Christmas’ Eve and New Year's Day

  • Nochebuena” – Christmas’ Eve. In most countries it is celebrated on December 24th, and it is the night that represents the birth of Jesus.
  • El día de Navidad” – Christmas day. This day is celebrated on December 25th. Some countries celebrate two Christmas days. The second one being on the 26th.
  • Cena de navidad” – Christmas Eve Dinner. It is the dinner that is served on Christmas Eve.
  • Turrón” – Nougat. It is a candy made with peanuts and other ingredients that is served on the tables on Christmas Eve or during the Christmas season as such.
  • Papá Noel” – Santa Claus. He is the Christmas character who brings the presents on Christmas Eve.
  • Año Nuevo” – New Year Day. This is the last and first day of the year which is celebrated between the night of December 31st and the first night of January 1st.
  • Comer 12 Uvas el primer día de Año Nuevo” – Eat 12 Grapes for the New Year. Eating the “12 New Year Grapes” just as the new year begins symbolizes prosperity for this year.
  • Fuegos Artificiales” – Fireworks. These are the traditional fireworks that are launched on Christmas Eve, but mostly on New Year’s Eve.
  • Campanadas” – Chimes. They are the classic bells that are heard when the old year ends and the new year arrives.

El Nacimiento | The Nativity

  • Los tres Reyes Magos” – Three Kings/Mages King. These are the three kings who went to see Jesus; Balthazar, Melchior, and Gaspar.
  • Estrella de Belén” – Bethlehem Star. This is the star that the kings followed to get to the manger where Jesus was.
  • Pesebre”. This represents the place where Jesus was supposed to be born, the nativity scene. Sometimes also called El belén.
  • “El niño Jesús” – Baby jezus. Christmas is celebrating the birth of baby jesus.
  • “La virgen María” – Virgin Mary. The mother of baby Jesus.