CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, GOURMET FOOD FROM SPAIN
Christmas is nearly here and we cannot stop thinking about all the presents we want to make. They will all have to be ready under the tree for Christmas Day. The image of Santa coming down the chimney puts a smile in everybody’s face.
Santa is one of the most famous characters in the world. But who was Santa? And did he really exist? The personality of Santa was inspired by the life of St Nicholas, a bishop from Mira. Nicholas of Bari was born in the 6th c.
He was a tall and slim man well known for his generosity towards the poorest. In fact, when he became an orphan he inherited a fortune that he gave away completely to the poor.
One of the legends about St Nicholas tells us about one of his neighbours, who wanted to marry his daughter, but had no money for the dowry. Nicholas left a bag full of gold coins in his neighbour’s house so that the wedding could take place.
St Nicholas died on the 6th December, and many European countries exchange Christmas presents on that day. Dutch emigrants to the USA brought the tradition of St Nicholas over with them in the 17th c.
The image we now have of a Santa as an affable old man dressed in red and riding a sleigh pulled by reindeers is an American invention. In fact a well known soft drinks company wanted to have a human image of St Nicholas for their Christmas marketing campaign, and it was so successful that we all now think of Santa as a white bearded chubby man with a friendly face.
Put some gourmet products from Mariscal & Sarroca in your Christmas stocking this year. You will be bringing home the best quality from Spain.
