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A magical time of year… THE Christmas season in Spain is a particularly magical affair. Anyone who has yet to get into the spirit will be swept away with the national lottery emotional advert, the Christmas lights put up by the end of November and the festive atmosphere of the streets. On December 22 the National Lottery draw is held. It marks the beginning of the holidays for schoolchildren and millions of Spaniards tune in to watch it, in the hope of winning ‘El gordo’ (The Fat One), the biggest national lottery in the world. Religion plays a crucial part in Spanish Christmas, with nativity scenes - often lifesized - found in streets, public buildings and homes all around the country. Typical Christmas carols are sung, often with a touch of flamenco, and instruments such as tambourines and bottles of anis, used to tap a beat on, are a must if you want to celebrate the Spanish way.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Are now switched on. The main meal takes place on Christmas Eve, the Nochebuena, and it usually consists of a main dish of meat or seafood. Preferred dessert is turron, the typical Christmas sweet made with honey, sugar and often nuts or almonds. Many Spaniards attend the Misa del Gallo (literally, the Rooster’s Mass), a church service held at midnight on Christmas Eve. It is named as such because a legend says that a rooster was the first living thing to document the birth of Jesus with its crowing. The King traditionally gives a speech
THREE WISE MEN: Bring gifts to Spanish children. on Christmas Eve, an especially significant date this year as it will be the first time for the new King, Felipe VI. Christmas Day is spent at home, when Spanish families gather around to continue eating, often the leftovers from the previous day. The big day for celebrating is New Year’s Eve, or Fin de Año, when thousands of young people wear their best suits and gowns (or, in some places, dress up in costumes) and hit the streets,
but not before eating each and every ‘lucky grape’ that mark the 12 last seconds of the year. The following day is also a public holiday, and can be spent sleeping the hangover away. The Three Wise Men are in charge of bringing the gifts to Spanish children on January 6. They are reminded throughout the year to behave properly, or else they will receive coal made from sugar instead of presents.
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WORLD HERITAGE: A tasty take on Spain’s important sites. THROUGHOUT Spain a Christmas Nativity scene (Belen) is set up in shops, supermarkets, council offices and most homes. But there is one that sets the small town of Rute, in the province of Cordoba apart. The town is famous for making traditional Spanish cakes and sweets and the anise liqueur which is often given to visitors at Christmas along with the cakes. But for chocaholics what it is even more famous for is its nativity scene, which is made entirely of chocolate. While other towns also do chocolate nativities, none are as large as Rute’s. Lovingly crafted by the Galleros cake and chocolate factory it is built
Take the chocolate Rute… over a surface of 52m2 and uses 1,500 kilos of white and dark chocolate. It is billed as the world’s largest chocolate nativity, and has been made by hand each year since 2000. It doesn’t just surprise for its impressive dimensions, but also for its themes: streets, fountains, recreation of religious Christmas, pastoral scenes, monuments have all had their moment. This year the theme is the monuments of Spain which have been declared World Heritage Sites. There are the
Hanging Houses of Cuenca, the Alcázar of Toledo, the Cathedral of Santiago and even the Tajo de Ronda, which has not yet been declared a UNESCO heritage site. The scene takes a team of seven master craftsmen four months to make, and also features figures in Biblical scenes. Also at Galleros, there is a museum of chocolate sculptures, which includes famous personalities such as the Spanish Royal Family. For more information visit www.gallerosarte sanos.com.
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Born on Christmas Day WHILE Christmas is all about one very famous person, there are plenty of other ‘well-known’ people who have December 25 as their day of birth. Here we wish a few of them ‘A very happy birthday…’ Sir Isaac Newton The English physicist and mathematician is one of the most influential scientists in history. He formulated the laws of motion and gravity and was regarded as the most brilliant man of his day. He is less known for his belief in alchemy spending much of his time trying to turn a base metal into gold. Humphrey Bogart During a career that spanned nearly 30 years, Bogart appeared in 75 films and won one Oscar for his performance in The African Queen. He was married three times before meeting the woman who would become associated with him in popular culture, Lauren Bacall. Probably best known for his movie Casablanca, Bogart died of cancer aged just 57.
HUMPHREY BOGART: His career spanned 30 years. SHANE MACGOWAN: A unique sound. Annie Lennox Annie Lennox who has sold more than 80 million records hit the big time as singer of Eurythmics. But she did not gain an OBE for hits like Must be an Angel and Sweet Dreams, but for her activist work. She was given the title in 2011 for her ‘tireless charity campaigns and championing of humanitarian causes.’
ANNIE LENNOX: Tireless charity work.
Shane MacGowan Lead singer of The Pogues Shane MacGowan had a huge Christmas hit with Kirsty MacColl when they sang Fairytale of New York - so it is fitting that he too was born on Christmas Day. He is famous for blending Celtic music with punk to come up with a unique sound.
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AS many expatriates living in Spain may have gathered by now, in Spain Christmas gifts are traditionally brought by the Three Kings (Tres Reyes Magos). While that custom is nationwide, in different parts of the country there are other lesser known characters associated
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Spanish Xmas figures with the festive season. Head north to the Basque Country and Navarra and you will find Olentzero. He is a coal merchant, dressed in a traditional beret and
smoking a pipe, who comes down from the mountains bearing a sack full of presents. Just as with Santa, children write to him asking for presents which appear on Christmas morning. Olentzero also features in parades where he often asks people for money to give to charity. Further west in Galicia they also have a coal merchant, this time called Apalpador. His
timetable is a little more flexible than Santa’s as he comes on either December 24 or December 31. His task is to touch children’s stomachs to see if they have eaten enough during the year, before handing out chestnuts and gifts and wishing them happiness and plentiful food throughout the coming year. That tradition is echoed in Ecija, Sevilla, where
WELL-KNOWN: The Three Kings are seen everywhere in Spain.
Tientapanzas, comes to check children’s bellies to make sure they have eaten before telling the Three Kings, who decide whether or not the children deserve gifts. It is an old tradition which had disappeared but was revived in 2004. In Cantabria, the Esteru is a friendly woodcutter who brings gifts on Christmas Day, while, perhaps feeling left out, Asturias introduced a new character in 2008, an eel catcher called Anguleru to represent one of the traditional trades of the area. Perhaps one of the odder ‘characters’ has a home in Cataluña. The Tio de Nadal is a log which is set up in the house on December 8. It is then ‘fed’ and kept warm with a blanket until Christmas when children beat it with a stick and it drops gifts and sweets.
TIO DE NADAL: One of the odder Xmas characters.
TRADITIONAL: Olentzero brings presents.
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Advertising Feature OFFERING essential oil fragrances inspired by the top brands at a fraction of the price, Inspired Fragrances is the place to pick up favourite scents for yourself or as gifts. Based in Fuengirola, online, and in London & Co in La Cala, Inspired Fragrances sell designer inspired fragrances in their own packaging, which smell exactly like high street brands but use more essential oils, meaning they smell stronger, for longer. Their feedback on quality and service is second to none, with their fragrances offering 15 per cent essential oils compared to the 5 per cent used by top brands. What makes them even more attractive is their fragrances are up to 95 per cent cheaper than on the high street. Covering the Costa del Sol, all of Europe and the UK, Inspired Fragrances has been in business for three years. Manufactured in an ISO 9001 certif i e d lab-
Inspired Fragrances ing and pass the costs onto the consumer. Inspired Fragrances focus on customer satisfaction, with low prices and fantastic customer service. Inspired Fragrances say: “Our customer service is of the highest standard and the quality of our products are the best on the market.” The company even offers a loyalty scheme, with customers accruing one point for every euro spent. One hundred points equals a €10 voucher. Customers can also claim 20 per cent of their purchase using Inspired Fragrances advert in the Euro Weekly News.
INSPIRED FRAGRANCES: Offers high end scents at low prices. oratory, Inspired Fragrances has 100 per cent positive customer feedback and their customers can make enormous savings. Inspired Fragrance’s products
are exactly the same as the large designers, made to the same recipe, just a fraction of the cost. High street fragrances spend millions on advertising and packag-
To find out more, visit www.inspired fragrances.co.uk, or www.facebook.com/inspiredfuengiro la. Or pop into their store 12pm to 10pm Tuesday to Saturday on Calle Salvador Rodriguez Navas, just off the Paseo 29640 Fuengirola, Malaga.
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Privileged year end at Besaya BESAYA BEACH and Finca Besaya are the two satisfaction guarantee options, the restaurants have prepared a spectacular event for the most important night of the year. Undoubtedly, Besaya restaurants in Marbella (Beach and Finca) enjoy a prestigious recognition in the gastronomic and leisure world in Marbella, and both restaurants are located in a privileged and spectacular setting on the Golden Mile that complete the experience for the five senses. Besaya Beach, the jewel at the seafront Besaya Beach is located practically on the promenade of the Golden Mile, in the Urbanisation of Coral Beach. Its privileged views make the patron feel that he can touch the sea. For the night of the 31st, Besaya Beach has proposed a party set in the world of Great
SPECTACULAR SETTING: For the most important night of the year. Gatsby, which will start at 8pm with a welcome cocktail at the chillout terrace and promises to end really late. Glamour, special show, live music, select guests, an exquisite menu that will delight the guest, party favours and grapes of luck. The price of the
menu is €185.00 (drinks not included). It will not be necessary to go to the Caribbean sea to take the grapes by the sea, Besaya Beach will illuminate it for his guests with the light of the fireworks.
Finca Besaya, the magical Marbella night out Finca Besaya is the perfect choice for those who plan to say goodbye to the year in an emblematic place in Marbella. This year’s party, set in gold and luxury, promises to be the best up-to-date. The restaurant is gorgeous with a tradition and smell of legend. A magnificent estate located in the upper part of the Rio Verde hill. A house full of decorative details that will make you feel at home. It has terraces, and an indoor bar with a dance floor where you cannot stop dancing until late at night. Welcome cocktail, special menu, open bar during dinner, open bar at the party, shows (violinist, animation), party bag, grapes of luck, and the music of the legendary DJ Lola. Its price €290.00. “Say goodbye to 2018 with the elegance, the service, the quality, and the soul of Besaya, do not let them tell you, live it!"
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Sponsored by IT has to be said, the Spanish do have a real love for sweet treats, and at this time of year this comes to the fore in a range of traditional delicacies. Here is a brief guide to five of the best ones (in our opinion)! • Roscon de Reyes Perhaps the most famous is the roscon, which is usually eaten on Three Kings’ Day (January 6). It is a kind of sweet bread which takes the shape of a large ring. The typical custom is to bake a bean and a small toy into the Roscon. Whereas the person who finds the toy is meant to have good luck as a result, the person who finds the bean is not so lucky: they have to pay for the Roscon the next time around! Exact recipes vary, but often the Roscon is adorned with fruits, figs, almonds and a light sprinkling of sugar. • Pestiños Those with a sweet tooth will adore these flaky pastries, which are
A Taste PESTIÑOS: Common. extremely popular in Andalucia and the south of Spain in general. Pestiños are made using dough which is then deepfried in olive oil before being smeared with honey or coated in sugar. Although they are occasionally eaten at other times of the year, they are a very common sight at Christmas in many shops and bakeries. • Mazapan Spanish marzipan, or mazapan, is said to date back to the 12th century, where it was the brainchild of an enterprising group of nuns from Toledo. At the time there was no wheat available, but fortunately the sisters had a huge stash of almond
and sugar, and used it up accordingly! To make it, you will need some finely crushed almonds, sugar, eggs (both yolk and whites), water, a dash of cinnamon, and a bit of lemon zest. Mazapan has gradually grown to be associated with Christmas, especially in Toledo where it is sometimes shaped into small animals before it is eaten. • Turron An absolute staple in
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TURRON: A form of nougat. many parts of Spain, Turron is essentially a form of nougat and is traditionally made with honey, sugar, and egg whites, as well as almonds or other kinds of nuts. It is often sold in bar form and is readily available all over Spain. Turron is manufactured and
ROSCON DE REYES: Eaten on Three Kings’ Day. sold in huge quantities at Christmas, where it makes an ideal gift for anyone who likes something sweet to go with their tea. For a spin on the traditional recipe, try making it with liquor, pralines, or chocolate. • Polvoron This is a kind of shortbread which is typically
made using flour, sugar, milk, and nuts. Polvorones are a typical Christmas treat in many parts of Spain, particularly in Andalucia, where there approximately 70 factories dedicated to producing popular versions of this longstanding holiday favourite.
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A time for feasting… 1950
XMAS DAY
THE traditional Christmas meal in the UK is roast turkey with all the trimmings, and very good it is too. But around Europe there are many more traditional feasts at Yuletide. Here are just a few of them…
Austria Christmas Eve in Austria marks the end of the pre-
Christmas fast. Fried carp, Sacher torte and Christmas cookies are eaten
and chocolate delicacies including edible Christmas ornaments. Christmas dinner often includes goose, ham served with Gluhwein, Rumpunsch, and chocolate mousse. Czech Republic A traditional Christmas meal in the Czech Republic is fried carp and potato salad which are eaten during Christmas dinner on the evening of December 24. Many households also prepare Christmas cookies to offer to visitors. Denmark The traditional Christmas meal is again served on December 24 consisting
of roast pork with crackling. Alternatives are goose or duck. The meat is served with potatoes (some caramelised, some roasted), red cabbage, and plenty of gravy. It is followed with a dessert of Risalamande, rice pudding with cherry or strawberry sauce. Finland Joulupöytä (Christmas table) is the name of the traditional food board served at Christmas. The main dish is usually a large ham, eaten with mustard or bread. Fish is also served and there are casseroles with potatoes, rutabaga or carrots.
France Head to France and again Christmas Eve is the time for the meal. The food is usually luxurious, think lobster, oysters or foie gras. Dessert may consist of a bûche de Noël. Germany The Germans like to tuck into roast goose and roast carp, although suckling pig or duck are also served. Typical side dishes include roast potatoes and various forms of cabbage. In some regions the Christmas dinner is served on Christmas Day rather than Christmas Eve.
The Coronation Stone, taken from Scotland in the 13th century, is stolen from Westminster Abbey by four Scottish students. It broke in two but was returned four months later. It was used at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
1952 Queen Elizabeth II makes her first Christmas Speech. It is broadcast from Auckland in New Zealand during a sixmonth royal tour of the Commonwealth. The Queen spoke of a ‘loving bond’ between herself and her people and finished by sympathising with the victims of a bridge collapse at Tangiwai in the central north island in which 151 people died.
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Hey big spenders… WHEN it comes to Christmas gift spending the Spanish are no slouches, with only UK citizens amongst European nations spending more. It may come as a bit of a surprise, but Spanish adults last year spent around €252 each on Christmas gifts, according to the statistica website, well ahead of the average €188 spend amongst 11 nations surveyed. UK consumers topped the list with an average spend on presents of a whopping €321, while Poland (€107), Russia (€115) and The Netherlands (€120) spent the least. Results from a Christmas Consumption Study backed up the figures
when it came to total spend too. According to the survey (carried out in 2016) Spanish families planned to spend €682 at Christmas. This was a 4 per cent increase from the previous year, when the average spending was €655. This statistic positioned Spain as the second biggest spender among the countries surveyed, only behind Denm a r k ,
where the average output per family sat at €689. When asked to provide a breakdown of how they plan to spend their money, the majority was set aside for gifts and food whereas other purchases like entertainment and travel made up the remainder of the budgets.
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XMAS DAY • XMAS DAY • XMAS DAY
1962
1989
‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ is released, based on Harper Lee’s famous novel. Winning three Academy Awards, including best actor, Gregory Peck starred as Atticus Finch, a lawyer who defends a black man falsely accused of rape. Peck’s last screen role was as Father Mapple in Moby Dick, the 1956 version of which saw him play the title role of Captain Ahab.
Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife are tried and found guilty on charges of genocide af-
1973 Paul Newman and Robert Redford reprise their roles as loveable rogues in The Sting, following their success in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The film was nominated for 10 Oscars, and won seven, including Best Picture and Best Director for George Roy Hill.
ter an hour-long show trial. They were executed five minutes after the verdict was announced in a spot that had already been prepared. A TV crew organised to film the execution arrived too late.
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Advertising Feature JANE and the team from Optica Machin would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and best wishes for 2019. This has been a busy year for us and we have had some great new innovations to add to our offers here at Optica Machin. We are now pleased to be able to add BOLLÉ and SERENGETI sunglasses to our spectacle range. These are available as polarised, curved sports lenses and we can also offer them in prescription, both single vision and Varifocals. Come in and have a chat and we can discuss your requirements. They are great for golf or tennis and also for sea faring folk or water sports as they can cut out the reflected glare from the sea. Our transitions range of light sensitive lenses now includes a variety of colours and also a flash mirror effect for those who want something a little different. Maybe 2019 is the year to update your look? Colourful Missoni frames or lightweight Titanium Rimless. Barcelona cool designs or a more traditional look? Whatever your style, we will do our best to cater for both your visual requirements and your comfort. As an independent, family-run
Best wishes from Optica Machin practice, we will take the time to make sure that you are comfortable in your choice of eyewear. Jane will be going on another Vision Aid Overseas trip on January 26, 2019, to Ghana. It is a teaching project at the University of Kumasa for the first week and then on outreach clinics with the students in the second to give them practical experience.
VISION AID: Jane will be visiting Ghana to teach. STYLISH: Optica Machin has a great range of frames.
For more information on Vision Aid Overseas https://www.visionaidoverseas.org https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ jane-machin1 Our eyesight is precious. We need to look after it! Happy Christmas www.opticamachin.com
Special GET into the Christmas spirit with a host of Christmas markets on the Costa del Sol. Until Sunday is the first ever Mijas Craft and Gourmet Market, offering up artisanal and unique foods and handmade goods for Christmas shoppers. The market will be located in the car park on Bulevar Caleño in La Cala de Mijas. If a traditional German-style market is more your thing, Fuengirola is hosting its annual Christmas shopping event today and tomorrow from 10.30am to 2.30pm and 5pm to 9pm in Plaza de la Constitucion. The town’s famous Christmas lights in the main square and surrounding streets make the event worth a visit even for non-shoppers. If you do not have time to visit a Christmas market before the weekend, there are several running through
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Shop ‘til you drop well into January, offering plenty of time for some last minute bargains. At Pier One in Malaga Port will be a market daily from 10am to 10pm until January 13. Specialising in crafts, food, clothing, and gifts, this event is a one-stop-shop for all
your Christmas needs. For a slice of festive luxury, a market in Puerto Banus’ glamorous Muelle de la Ribera will run until January 6, offering craft, food and toys in one of the most iconic locations on the Costa del Sol. This first ever event will be open from
12pm to 8pm Monday to Sunday, and December 24 and 31 from 12pm to 3pm. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day will be closed. Finally, if you prefer to combine your festive shopping with some seasonal giving, a multi-charity Christmas Fair
CHRISTMAS MARKETS: Offer festive shopping throughout the Costa del Sol.
will take place at the Estepona Palacio Congresos on Saturday from 11am to 3pm. Organised by the Anglican Church of the Cos-
ta del Sol West, the event promises: “A fun filled day out for the whole family,” as well as stalls, entertainment and games.
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Advertising Feature UNIQUE FIRES has for many years worked at creating an intimate and welcoming environment by installing their ‘unique fires’ in homes on the Costa del Sol. Many people are amazed at just how much difference a perfectly placed and designed fireplace can make to their home ambiance and state of mind. Greg, the sole proprietor at Unique Fires, knows just how important that special touch can be, which is why he is renowned across the Costa del Sol for his professional attitude and unparalleled attention to detail. Collaborating with some of Spain’s finest interior designers and architects allows Unique Fires to offer you elegant, highly-individualised designs while Greg’s years of practical experience fitting and installing fireplaces, expertise and personal attention to detail, ensures that you will have the home of your dreams with a unique fire at its heart. Unique Fires prides itself on taking care of each of its clients, from
Create a unique heart of your home inquiry to installation, and any desired after care or changes. Considering the importance of home comfort and the desired look and finish of the client, Greg listens attentively to your vision and will work tirelessly to ensure that it soon becomes a reality. After the design has been finalised, you can choose the type of fireplace you want with Unique Fires offering everything from wood-burning to gas and electric fires, eco-friendly bio-fuel fires, and a huge variety of outdoor fires for the patio or terrace. Greg has seen his company go from strength to strength as he gathers acclaim
BEFORE
AFTER
UNIQUE FIRES: Transform the look and feel of your home. throughout the expatriate community for his singular expertise. Whatever your favoured style, classic and traditional; sleek and ultramodern; for business or pleasure, Unique Fires has the skill, experience and artistry to bring it to life. Greg’s knowledge is also at your disposal if you are looking for advice on how to best channel the energy of your home, understand the latest technologies, and make your home
more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. So to get cosy and warm this winter, call Unique Fires today and arrange for your free no obligation survey from one of the finest fireplace experts in Spain. Unique Fires Tel: 951 277 443 or 610 654 422. Visit: www.uniquefires.com Email: info@uniquesfires.com
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Fuengirola’s enormous bauble is unique in Andalucia.
MAGICAL: Malaga’s illuminations on Plaza de la Constitucion and Calle Larios.
Light up CHRISTMAS lovers old and young will enjoy an array of lights across the Costa del Sol this festive season. With displays in every town and village, this Christmas is set to be more spectacular than ever. Fuengirola’s annual lights are some of the most popular and extensive on the coast. As well as large displays in Plaza de la Constitucion, the main event will be a giant three-dimensional, red, blue and green bauble - the only one of its kind in An-
dalucia - in Plaza de España, as well as an 18metre-high Christmas tree in Plaza San Rafael in Los Boliches. In nearby Benalmadena, the town’s Christmas lights are centred around the Plaza de las Tres Culturas, while in Arroyo de la Miel, Plaza de Asturia is the focal point. In contrast, in San Pedro de Alcantara, extensive lights will fill the town. This year’s illuminations will involve 96 arches of lights, 18 motifs on street lamps, 11 illuminated trees, six
signs, 10 motifs, one wall of lights and 14 figures on the ground. In total, 869,000 LED lights will be distributed throughout San Pedro de Alcantara. One of the Costa del Sol’s main festive attractions has to be the lights in Malaga, however, which this year have benefited from an investment of €733,211. Going all out this year, Malaga Council have upped the number of daily light displays to three each evening, giving more spectators a chance to
enjoy the event. Light and sound shows will take place on Calle Larios at 6.30pm, 8pm and 9.30pm daily, while an interactive Christmas tree will grace the Plaza de la Constitucion. A novelty tree will also be installed in Plaza de la Marina, which will change colour thanks to an LED display which will form various Christmas motifs. New streets will also receive Christmas lights this year, with Plaza Eugenio Chicano and Calle Santa Maria set to light up.
Special WHILE for many cultures Christmas is centered around December 25 as the culmination of the festivities, the Spanish cannot have too much of a good thing! For them the festive period carries on well past the big day itself, past New Year’s Eve and on to Epihany (January 6), which in this country is the traditional day for gift giving. In many ways the Three Kings (Tres Reyes Magos) have held the place taken by Santa Claus in more northerly countries, traditionally being the bearer of gifts for all the family - especially the children. In Spanish, Epiphany is called ‘Fiesta de Los tres Reyes Magos’: in English this means celebrating when the Kings or Wise men brought gifts to the baby Jesus. While these days many Spanish children
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Make way for the Three Kings do get ‘Santa’s presents’ on Christmas Day, the lucky youngsters can expect a second round of gift giving for Epihany too. Just like the Santa tradition, children write letters to the Kings asking for toys and presents, but they must be
aware that if they have been naughty they may get just a lump of coal made out of sugar rather than their dreamt of gifts. They will put shoes on the windowsill or balcony into which will be put their presents. Just like Santa, the Kings
can expect a little gift in return too. This often takes the form of a small glass of brandy or anise, a satsuma, walnuts or traditional Christmas treats like turron. The occasion is marked up and down Spain by processions
THREE KINGS: Bring gifts to the children.
where the kings and their helpers scatter sweets from their highly decorated carnival-style floats to the crowds. These can be big affairs in the major cities with crowds of tens of
thousands, or smaller gatherings in village squares. But in all cases the foremost aim is to please the children, with many of them happily carrying home carrier bags full of sweets.
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Ten surprising Christmas facts • SANTA’S sleigh would have to travel at an average speed of 2,340,000 miles per hour in order to deliver presents to every home in the world on Christmas Eve, at a rate
of 822 every second. • The first Christmas card was made by artist John Callcott Horsley after being commissioned by Sir Henry Cole in 1843.
DELIVERING PRESENTS: Santa’s sleigh would have to travel very fast. • The tradition of placing robins on Christmas cards began around 150 years ago as a means of poking fun at postmen, who wore red uniforms at the time. • Almost 60 million Christmas trees are grown for the European market each year, with the UK alone requiring eight million, where they outsell artificial trees by three to one. • The ‘Xmas’ spelling is
not anti-religion, since in Greek the letter X is used as an abbreviation for Jesus Christ. • Christmas pudding was initially cooked as a type of soup with raisins and wine. • Eating at Kentucky Fried Chicken has become a Christmas tradition in Japan, and is now so popular that people are forced to book two months in advance.
• The amount of wrapping paper used in the UK each Christmas would be sufficient to parcel up the island of Guernsey. • Prior to turkey, an English Christmas dinner comprised a pig’s head served with mustard. • The red poinsettia plant is native to Mexico and was historically grown by the Aztecs, who believed that the plant’s bright colour symbolised purity, and they also used it as a medicine to combat fever.
ROBIN: Began to appear 150 years ago on Christmas cards.
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Do you feel lucky? WHEN it comes to lotteries it could be said the Spanish have a passion for them. And it is never so evident than at Christmas when people will be glued to television screens on December 22 for the draw of El Gordo (the Fat One). Spain often comes to a standstill as the Christmas lottery results are announced. As children from the San Ildefonso school, Madrid’s oldest, draw numbers starting at 8.30am at the Teatro Real (Royal Theatre) in the capital, the nation will watch and listen. There will be 24,486,400 prizes, from the ‘vuelta’ where people get their money back for having a certain number to the big prize, El Gordo. Each ticket (individual number) costs €200, and each ‘decimo’ (10th of a ticket) €20, these being the most popular. Since July, punters ranging from wealthy businessmen to work syndicates, from housewives keen for a change of luck, to ardent gamblers, have been in-
EL GORDO: Drawn on December 22. vesting in Christmas lottery tickets. With ticket prices high, given the state of most people’s finances, especially in the present economic downturn, syndicates are common with families, friends - even villages - buying tickets, splitting the cost and sharing the winnings. This year the total prize money will be potentially €2.38 billion from potential sales of €3.4 billion, with the first prize being worth a total of €680 million across the 170 series of tickets. The lottery organisation pays back 70 per cent in prize money, with a €4 million prize for El Gordo. As well as at the official lottery sale outlets, tickets are sold in the street and online, with prices charged often slightly higher than €20 once commissions have been added. A study of the gambling habits of Spaniards carried out by lottery website Ventura24 has revealed men spend more money on the Christ-
mas lottery than women. According to the same study, while women prefer even numbers, men prefer odd. The first draw under the ‘Christmas lottery’ name was officially held on December 23, 1982. But 80 years earlier, in 1812, the current Spanish lottery was introduced by the Cortes de Cadiz, the country’s legislative body, to increase state income. El Gordo prize money has touched people from all walks of life. In 1930, as the world sank deeper into the Great Depression, part of the year’s main 30 million-peseta prize went to a garage owner and his mechanics, who had each chipped in 22 cents to gain today’s equivalent of about €1,200 each. In 2008, a bar in Soria, north of Madrid, sold all 1,950 of the third prize tickets, spreading €97 million among customers, family and friends.
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Dine like a king AT Restaurante Villa Tiberio, guests receive the star treatment from the time their parking attendant greets you, to walking through perfumed pergolas to reach your table. Owned and run by fabled restaurateur, Sandro Morelli (previously of the Ritz and Cavendish Hotels in London, and the former owner of Fulham Road’s legendary Barbarella 1 and 11 restaurants), is well-known not just for his stunning restaurant but for his extensive charity work. Morelli has raised more than £350,000 (€392,994) for Children with Cancer UK, and also supports charities Cudeca and UNICEF. His restaurant Villa Tiberio is not just a fabulous eatery, it is a meeting place. Royalty, diplomats, and international celebrities could just as easily be dining at the next table as holidaymakers or local residents.
Photographs of Sean Connery, Bill Wyman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Shirley Bassey and a host of leading personalities line the walls of the luxurious interior, reminding guests that, like many things in life, the restaurant business is built on personal relationships. For over 25 years, Sandro and the dedicated team at this legendary Marbella eatery have ensured diners come back time and again - to enjoy a perfect meal in exquisite surroundings. Client satisfaction is as high on their list of priorities as the extensive menu of Italian and international dishes made from the finest fresh ingredients and the extensive bodega with Spanish, French and Italian wines, Champagnes and spirits to suit all tastes.
VILLA TIBERIO: Has hosted royalty, diplomats and international celebrities for years.
Opened in 1989, Villa Tiberio’s location, just a whisker away from the Marbella Club Hotel, is ideal. Surrounded by tall trees, the villa set in
sumptuous grounds could never be overlooked or dominated by high-rise buildings. Spend some time after dinner soaking in the exquisite sights and sounds of this oasis. Symbolising the best of Italian and Mediterranean hospitality, Villa Tiberio has an added extra. The unique Morelli touch, which guarantees dining in the coast’s most beautiful gardens will be the highlight of any trip to Marbella. And the food is superb!
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13 - 19 December 2018
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24 EWN
13 - 19 December 2018
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