Christmas Vocabulary in Spanish

Today we are going to learn some Christmas vocabulary in Spanish. There are dozens of words associated with Christmas. Even if you do not celebrate the holiday, you can enjoy colorful decorations and cheerful music at stores and restaurants in Spanish speaking countries.

First of all, let’s review how Christmas days are called in Spanish.

la Navidad (Christmas)
la Nochebuena (Christmas Eve)
el Día de Navidad (Christmas Day)
la Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve)
el Año Nuevo (New Year)
el día de Año Nuevo (New Year’s Day)
el Día de los Reyes Magos (Epiphany Day)

Christmas Decorations

Probably the most popular Christmas decorations are the Christmas trees (usually artificial) and the nativity scene. To learn more Christmas vocabulary in Spanish, have a look at this list of nouns related to decorations.

la decoración (decoration)
el Nacimiento or el Belén (nativity scene)
la estrella (star)
el árbol de Navidad (Christmas tree)
las luces de Navidad (Christmas lights)
los adornos de Navidad (Christmas ornaments)
las bolas de Navidad (Christmas baubles)
las campanas (bells)
el espumillón (tinsel)
- In Mexico, la escarcha de Navidad is said instead.
la guirnalda (wreath)
el acebo (holly)
el muérdago (mistletoe)
la vela (candle)

Christmas Present Traditions

In Spain, the Three Wise Men are in charge of bringing presents to children on January 6th. Among friends or colleagues, it is also popular to exchange Christmas presents anonymously. This is called el amigo invisible (Secret Santa).

Now let’s see more Christmas vocabulary in Spanish related to this tradition.

el amigo invisible (Secret Santa)
los Tres Reyes Magos (the Three Wise Men)
el camello (camel)
el oro (gold)
el incienso (frankincense)
la mirra (myrrh)
el regalo (present, gift)
el juguete (toy)

Christmas Desserts

Probably the most popular Christmas dessert is el Roscón de Reyes. It is a ring-shaped caked made of sweet bread that is topped with pieces of candied fruit. It is eaten on January 6th, usually for breakfast.

There are many more Christmas desserts. Let’s see some of them in the following list.

el Roscón de Reyes (Three King’s cake)
- In Mexico, la Rosca de Reyes is said instead.
el turrón (nougat)
el polvorón (Christmas shortbread cookie)
el mazapán (marzipan)
los bombones (chocolates)
las trufas (chocolate truffles)

¡Feliz Navidad!

And how would you wish someone a merry Christmas? These expressions can add color and fun to your December conversations.

¡Feliz Navidad! (Merry Christmas!)
¡Feliz Año Nuevo! (Happy New Year!)
¡Felices fiestas! (Happy holidays!)

Exercises

Let’s do some exercises about this Christmas vocabulary and don’t miss practicing in our blog the Halloween vocabulary to learn more about Spanish culture.

Christmas Vocabulary in Spanish