my favorite season is approaching, will be hopefully on the road but unfortunately not in Spain; could be Luxembourg for me.
Can we tell about events in Madrid during the Christmas season, what are you doing? Thanks
some thoughts
Callao and Sol will be the only points whre a giant tree will be set up due to the city budget this year.
The plaza del Callao and the Puerta del Sol will be the only points where there will be decorations and a giant Christmas trees due to budget cuts.
In the Puerta del Sol they will have the same tree as last year design by Agatha Ruiz de la Prada and measuring 51 meters high
El Corte Inglés again will count on the Plaza del Callao to put a tree 140 meters high with a crystal star top but with less lighting than last year
http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/866692/0/recorte/arboles/navidad/

Nobody has any story on Christmas in Madrid ? any year?

Let's see.... "Christmas in Madrid" stories...

My first Christmas in Madrid was, I think, back in 2002. I spent it with the same Madrid family, the same Madrid people I always visited since 1995. It was nice. There was the "Belén"/Nativity scene in the corner, a small artificial tree surrounded by newspaper-wrapped presents, little holiday decorations throughout the house, and lots of good food to eat at all times. It wasn't as lavish or overwhelming as a typical American Christmas, that's for sure, but it was exhilarating BECAUSE it was different - I was in Spain and the customs were different for the most part. There were lots of people in the streets and all in good-cheer.

My Madrid "host family" celebrated Christmas on Christmas morning, something they'd never done before and totally in my honor. We even joked on Christmas Eve that Santa Claus (something and someONE they didn't have in Spain until very recently) was coming soon and wondered what he would bring us. They were all interested to hear American Christmas customs and my own personal Christmas Stories. They'd all seen the images on TV and in the movies. The kids, naturally, were just excited about getting MORE gifts over these holidays - including the expected ones on Magic Kings Day, the 6th of January - but also intrigued (and a little scared) that a big fat man in a red suit would be trudging through their houses while they slept.

Opening our gifts early on Christmas morning seemed totally natural to me but it wasn't until many years later that I felt kind of bad diverting their own customs and somewhat robbing me of an authentic Spanish Christmas experience at the same time. But these fine people were doing it for me and for that I appreciate them all the more.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Saludos, MadridMan

great story, and very nice of the host family to bring you in adapting to your traditions. Its always a special moment indeed, Christmas.

Now that the thread can start with stories, I will tell you mine.

My first Christmas was on Dec 24-25 1972 in Madrid. I had arrived there on Dec 30th 1971 so needed to wait a year to have my first Christmas, from where I came from there was none allowed at the times of the cold war. So even my family roots were/are in Tenerife, my first ever Christmas was in Madrid Spain as a young boy.

Imagine, it was eye opener for me, after so many years hearing about it and loving it dearly, I was able to have my own at last. We hurdle up on the 24th with the Spanish neighbors in our barrio of Quintana on Calle Alcala and had dinner with them, lots of prayers, and all wishing the best to all. Simple celebration that ensures the traditions are kept beyond all. The 25th we just leisurely stroll on the Retiro park nearby as we got and I got my first toys on the three wise kings day on January 6 1972 in Madrid.

Madrid is eternal for me ever since, simple memories but that still in my mind very vivid, every trip to the city , which I try as must as I can, involves a pilgrimage to that Alcala street in Quintana; neighbors have left or passed away, the area is totally different but my mind goes back to those Christmas days spent there for four years. Thats my special Christmas story

Merry Christmas everyone, and enjoy it ::) Féliz Navidad !!!

Wonderful stories - thanks for sharing them. Pedmar, your tale brought a tears to eyes!

You are welcome ::) Christmas its always special to me, and this one wont be any different even thus wont be in MADRID.
I will settle with friends and family sending me their pictures.

Pedmar a very nice Christmas story. Thank you for sharing your web-site http://paris1972.wordpress.com

I would recommend this site to anyone who wants to read and learn about Madrid and Paris. The author, Pedmar, very briefly was born in Cuba, his father escapes to the USA and his mother and Pedmar go to Madrid in 1972. Four years later they go to the USA. Now Pedmar and his family reside in Versailles, France.

When entering the web-site http://paris1972.wordpress.com, scroll down to the bottom to Archives and hit November 2010.

I would suggest that you start with the following sections to get the background of Pedmar and his family.
1. My life in Madrid, Spain.
2. My early US history, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
3. Sunshine State, Florida, here I come.
4. Versailles, France, I have arrived.

These sections tell the story of a very successful person who had to overcome hardships of having to leave Cuba and Spain but yet achieved many things in his life.

Regards

Wow!Pedmar wonderful story on your website
by the way! I work very near of his old home in madrid

Great GREAT website, Pedmar! Written with a lot of feeling and love for both cities.

wow here I come and see all these. You guys are very kind, thanks so much.
Yes ,memories that never fades just becomes stronger. WE share a love for a city and country that I have deep roots and can relate many runs to help the democracy there when things were not safe. My blog is only about the good times the travel, the sharing, but its a deep feeling. Madrid forever.

Thanks again and especially Jim, if I need an introduction I will contact you ::)