Second home ownership lets families enjoy Spanish Christmas traditions
- Processions, nativity scenes, feasting and lucky grapes all essential during the festive season
- Magical lighting displays draw visitors to cities across Spain
- Taylor Wimpey España has sold homes to buyers of 38 nationalities during 2022
Leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España has reported growth in property reservations during 2022, after launching 14 new developments during the year, with a value of over €150 million. As the firm heads into 2023, when it will celebrate its 65th anniversary, having served buyers from around the globe with high quality holiday homes since 1958, it has another nine launches planned. The developments will span the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and Mallorca.
But what lies behind the headlines? Buyers of 38 different nationalities purchased homes from Taylor Wimpey España during 2022. Many buyers choose to spend Christmas in Spain, immersing themselves in local traditions.
For second home owners with young children, the procession of the Three Kings on 5th January is a not-to-be-missed experience. The Three Kings and their helpers hand out sweets as they travel around town, while children who’ve been good open gifts that the Kings deliver the following day (this is the main gift-giving day in Spain). Children who have been naughty can expect a lump of coal!
One lovely tradition that second home owners can enjoy is the creation of a Belén in their home. This is a nativity scene made up from tiny figures, which can be purchased from Christmas markets and shops across Spain during the festive season. Schools and businesses often have a Belén of their own, with local families delighting in seeing the intricate scenes each year.
To kick off the Christmas season, many Spaniards take part in El Gordo (‘the fat one’) on 22nd December each year. Tickets cost an eye-watering €200 but can be purchased in tenths, meaning a family can take part for a much more reasonable €20, buying with friends and colleagues for a share in the 15,000 or so prizes on offer. The top prize, after which the lottery is named, will be €4,000,000 in 2022.
Visiting Christmas markets and enjoy the Christmas lights in towns and cities is another intrinsic part of the Christmas season. This year, for example, Malaga’s main Christmas shopping street will be home to 16 celestial angels, spread across 32 columns that create a stunning display along the entire length of the street. Malaga will also be hosting a drone display on several nights during December this year, providing a modern take on festive lighting fun.
For buyers looking to enjoy the Christmas lights in Malaga each year, Taylor Wimpey España’s lovely apartments and penthouses at Solemar are the ideal base. Located just 750m from Malaga’s Casares Beach and enjoying spectacular sea views, along with a large communal pool and landscaped gardens, the homes are priced from €262,000 plus VAT.
“Owning your own home in Spain allows you to engage with Christmas far more deeply than you can when staying in a hotel. Having your own kitchen means you can join in Spanish Christmas food traditions, which form such an important part of the holiday season here.”
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director, Taylor Wimpey España
Christmas feasting in Spain involves a huge variety of delicious foods. Iberian ham and a selection of fabulous local cheeses and wines are all staple items, along with sweet treats such as turrón, mantecados biscuits, sugar-covered polvorones and brightly coloured marzipan sweets. The Christmas table, meanwhile, is laden with dishes such as broths and stews to start, followed by suckling pig, lamb or oven-baked sea bass or bream. Epiphany cake, eaten on 5th or 6th January, is also a must. Tradition has it that the person who finds a small figure in their slice will have good luck.
Chestnuts also feature in the Spanish Christmas season, with street vendors selling them hot in little paper cones. Perfect for a sweet treat while browsing Christmas market stalls. Grapes should also be on the shopping list; it’s tradition to eat one with every chime of the clock at midnight as New Year’s Eve becomes New Year’s Day, for good luck for the year ahead.
Buyers who want to pick up a key-ready home in Spain before New Year rolls around have plenty of options available to them, from marina-front living at Pier 2 in Sotogrande (priced at €445,000 plus VAT) to frontline ocean view apartments at Sunset Ibiza in Cala Gracio, Ibiza (€700,000 plus VAT).
“Many families are taking advantage of more relaxed working from home practices to enjoy longer, blended work/leisure stays in their second homes. The Christmas season is the perfect time to do so – and to experience the rich variety of Spanish festivities and feasting.”
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director, Taylor Wimpey España
For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.
