Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!!!!!!!!
...... I would like to end this year ...with a song... and a favorite quote...lots of love to all of you!
Yours truly,
Lila
"It is always surprising how small a part of life is taken up by meaningful moments. Most often they're over before they start even though they cast a light on the future and make the person who originated them unforgettable."As we travelled and moved around the world, we adopted different customs according to the country where we lived, and combined them with some of our traditional customs. For the past 8 years, living in Spain - Canary Islands, we adopted to some of their traditions during the celebrations of Christmas and the New Year. One of the things that always stays the same is the Christmas tree.
During the month of December we start sending ( and receiving) a lot of Xmas hampers to our friends and business partners.
Food and drinks are essential, ofcours, and in Spain, during this season, every household gets a Jamón serrano .
*the cut of that Jamón is very wrong...but who cares...as long as you get a slice of it* What's Jamón Serrano, well, take the link: Jamón serrano definition
Another very Spanish tradition is eating various Turrones in large quantities... Turrón definition
The Spanish are very proud of their champagne, it's usually either Freixenet or Codorniu (but a box of Moét will do as well)
We adopted to Christmas stuffed turkey (dates way back to the years living in London)
Year's Eve ....just for the sake of our own tradition.
I don't really know who adopted smoked salmon, king prawns and caviar, but it seems to be an over-all tradition, everywhere!
During the New Year's Eve, the Spanish eat 12 grapes, one each with the sound of church bells (campanas) counting the last 12 hrs....it is a bit difficult, and I do not recommend it....but tradition is tradition....something to do with your wishes coming true for the coming year (...or something to do with choking....oh, well)
meaning of grapes (uvas) and campanas (bells) at New Year's Eve
While we shop-and-drop, we have many parties, but Christmas Eve stays always just for the family, and New Year's Eve is a gala party...somewhere 'out'.....the bottom line to all of this said, according to my youngest son, Georgio,
are the PRESENTS
although he 'suspects' the story of Papa Noel, Santa Claus, Reyes (the Kings) St. Nick...etc...etc, somehow as the holidays approach, he starts believing, again and again.....and whether in Spain, UK, USA, or any other country, the magic of it all is in those nicely wrapped boxes.....
....well, the food, family, friends and parties, too! ....OK, plus a couple of fancy evening dresses, shoes, bags.....well,....you get the picture 
...then when we're stuffed with all the holiday food, a week at a Spa....just to get rid of all those extra kilos...would be highly appreciated 
navidad latina for spanish speaking friends
for non-spanish-speaking-friends
P.S.
I don't know how I could forget about Spanish famous Queso Manchego, but thanks to Carol, here it is!
