I always use to hate this time of year when I lived in the uk, after Xmas and the new year there would be this after holidays depression, with nothing to look forward to except new years resolutions you are going to break.
After living for several years in Europe I started to learn that the holidays are structured differently.
People do not open presents on Christmas 25th here but there are other days for presents exchange.
In Austria where I have some family they open presents on the 24th and treat the 25th as a holy day for silence and respect for Jesus.
Here in catalonia things also seem to be a bit different, and from what I've understood is that presents are exchanged on the day of the 3 kings, around the 5th / 6th January
This makes sense since in the Christmas story, the 3 kings arrive with gifts late after the birth of Jesus. So if there was going to be a day for gift giving this world be it.
Normally this day is celebrated with a parade with a float for each king in the story.
The floats often throw sweets and confetti to the children in the street who are excited to see this spectacle.
Altho I didn't partake in gift giving or exchanging on this day, I enjoyed the parade and festive feeling that was still extending into the new year.
What do you think,do you celebrate Christmas, do you celebrate the day of 3 kings?
