Hi there
I dont miss the uk because I still live there however as a long time property owner on quesada and a regular and happy visitor I have given much considerstion to making the big move. The problem is Im a christmas freak including the run up to christmas and all that goes with that.

I have spoken to so many expats who although theyre glad they made the move, they all say christmas just feels wrong in spain, its not the same and no matter what lengths you go to you cannot copy an english christmas.

So that puts me off but I would be interested to here readers opinions or experiences with regard to a spanish christmas or trying to replicate an english christmas in spain

Have you cracked it or is it a no no !!

kind regards

We went back to England for Christmas last year - the first time for nine years. Never again! It was of course, lovely to be with the family. But it was snowing, airports were a nightmare and everything so frantic. Here we barbeque a turkey, sit in the sun with a G and T, and spend the time with friends. I admit I am not a Christmas freak...but here it is generally less commercialised and I really don't WANT it to be like an English Christmas. When we first came to Spain you were hard pressed to find a few decorations as the Spanish tend to celebrate Three Kings on 6th January, so Christmas was very low key. Now you can buy absolutely everything here you could buy in the UK, if you really must! I do think people moving to Spain settle far more easily if they don't expect it to be like 'home'. Embrace the difference, learn the language enough to get by...and relax. Bliss!

We still live in the UK, but have been in Spain at Christmas. I think that you have to book up early at a restaurant etc or else have a lot of friends. I'm not so worried about decorations over there (although I must admit that I love them here!) The weather wasn't great that Christmas, and it did seem a bit flat. Although there are mainly residents on my community, many of them had gone to spend Xmas elsewhere! I think that you need to plan well ahead if you are going to spend Xmas in Spain.

IT IS BLOODY IMPOSSIBLE to find a Christmas tree here! (live one i mean) :DD
Takes ages and endless garden centres to get one..

When I first came to Spain I used to go back to England because like you I love Christmas especially seeing all the Grandchildren. But all has changed, now I love being here at christmas your spoiled for choose and Spain has it right,they celebrate for the corect reasons. England is just rushing around spending loads of money the children telling you what they want probally costing a fortune and christmas day, WHO DO YOU VISIT, as I said christmas in Spain is wonderfull. As for the christmas decorations, there everywhere and the christmas tree´s go to an Auction you´ll pick one up there and trimmings. But if that doesnt convince you, just go back to England for a christmas treat, I´ll give you an asprin when you come back. By the way, I go back at least four times a year, to see my family, but when the flight´s are cheap.

I've lived here for nearly three years, spent the first Christmas in the UK and swore then, never again. Cold, miserable, dark, queues, queues and even more queues. Last two Christmases here in Spain have been relaxed, bright and sunny having coffee and brandy on the see front Christmas day morning. We did go out for Christmas dinner this last year and it was a bit of a disaster, we'll stick to doing our own in future and probably invite friends round. I miss my family dreadfully, but honestly do not miss the UK. We honestly didn't move here because it was like the UK, we moved here because of the differences. I agree with the comments above, embrace the differences and relax. If you are always comparing, you won't be happy. Maz

Hi Everyone
it seems the question of christmas has really caused a buzz on the forum, I hear what everyone is saying and really I absolutley love spain and the culture, I do use the language and love it and im not that bothered about the commercialism as I do celebrate a traditional christmas and all its values but say what you like, there is something about being in front of the fire, all cosy and snug, new jarmies,huge tree, traditional lunch will gazillions of trimmings and all the family coming to me, I love it and really dont think I could swap it, so I might have to live on quesada for 51 weeks and go home for christmas, its not about the uk its about home and beleive it or not I love the dark days before christmas, theyre filled with excitement and anticipation oh and by the way even having just turned 50 I still find it a magical time, happy christmas and to all a good night !! (lol)

Thank you very much for posting that information. How very annoying that will be for us who work in an office, but it's very good to know beforehand that the electricity is going off between those times - usually they just cut you when they feel like it - probably 3 or 4 times in quick succession. I suppose that's all part of living in Spain ??

Thats ok Carol. Its quite shocking the amount of people ive spoke to this morning that had no idea about this.
I told them where the sign was but, alot of people thought it was just people advertising there work. I know alot of older people dont tend to get out much so if they do keep in touch with this forum then i hope they read it. So to the older people go out with your friends or take a trip to a local bar sit outside and enjoy a cool drink. DO NOT stay at home in the heat why the power is off.

Ian has just re-read the poster that has been put up in the grey area nr the Ferrateria (opposite Barclays). As it is in Spanish he is not sure if it is just one particular area of the urbanisation that will be affected.
Could somebody please let us know if it will be the whole of the urbanisation without power or just a small area?

Carol i just added a update kind of thing to my post with the actual places. Should be of more use

So if it is just in these areas - our area shouldn't be affected should it ie San Fransisco de Asis on the urb??????????
Hope not anyway ! Thank's

My main concern at the moment is:

DO I NEED TO GET UP EARLY TO GET A CUP OF TEA before the electric goes off for 3 hours ?????????? OR will it not affect my area (San Fransisco de Asis) - does anybody know please?

Yesssssss please can someone let us know if we are going to be without electric tomorrow for definate xx

Nobody is answering us Linda - somebody must know surely ........................

Just want to make sure I get my cup of tea and toast in the morning hahahaha xx

Just having first cup of tea in case it's going to be the last for over 3 hours this morning ! Plus checking e-mails. This is awful not knowing if or when the power is going off !!
PS Ronnie/Linda - just had my free game of FARKLE he he lol xx

Well it is now 8.04am having a cup of tea, so we will see if it goes off. Carol, Ronnie has played his farkle too lol x

Well, it's now turned 9.00 am so fingers crossed it's not going to affect us.........nobody else seems to be bothered. QUICK QUICK QUICK Boil the kettle up again he he xx

This power cut turned out to be, fortunately for us, a non event. My home, in the supposed affected area, suffered no dissruption and a local pub that I visited in the grey area had a cut in the morning of 15 minutes and a similar cut at about 4pm.

That is very good! What are the payment methods?

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