Hey Spaniards and Ex-pats

Do you all put up Christmas trees in your homes? Are the stores decorated for Christmas? If you put up trees, are they real or fake? When do you put them up?

thanks for the info!

I, MadridMan, and United Statesen expatriate, have never put up a Christmas tree in my 4 years here but I do "use" the Christmas tree of those closest to me on Christmas Day. I do, however, tie colorful ribbons around the house - but that's about as far as I go for Christmas decorations.

Some Spanish friends of mine have a potted pine (of some variety) which they decorate annually as well as decorate their house with holiday candles and other adornments.

Saludos, MadridMan

I have a fake one , about 3 feet tall but decorated like crazy ! The christmas decorations to buy here in Madrid are wonderful ! I put my one up about a week ago . In England my mum will have a real tree ( I love the smell of the pine ) and about 8 to 9 feet tall . Me and my nieces will decorate it with my mum .

we hope to continue the christmas tree/decorating tradition while living in madrid. i'm sad we're arriving in madrid just after christmas time - i bet its gorgeous!

The lit up Puerta del Sol Christmas tree on the home page looks really nice. I saw it when I was there, but I wish I was there long enough to see it lit up.

Vanbags .. you´ll have no problems continuing the christmas decoration tradition .. It´s a HUGE deal here , and they have some really original things , alongside the traditional . The christmas market in Plaza Mayor is a great place to shop and , more upmarket , the omnipotent " El Corte Ingles " has really beautiful decorations to buy !
What I like about it here in Madrid , is that the sense of tradition is important . I´m not religious at all but still recognise that christmas is a religious holiday ... and that is very much at the forefront here where the tradtion , for kids and families , is to build there own mini nativity set .."Belén - Spanish for Bethlehem " . Some of the figures of Joseph , Mary etc.. can fetch high prices .. real craftsmanship !